Rood Eye
Thursday 21st November 2019 9:18pm [Edited]
4,103 posts
Quote: Paul Wimsett @ 21st November 2019, 9:06 PM
The reason I wouldn't make it up is it's a weak pun.
"And now, over to Finsbury Park where 50 families have been evacuated in the aftermath of a burst water main that has left several streets under a metre of water . . . and our correspondent, Terry Bull-Flood."
I think that might have been a little funnier (as a joke) - but when you're working with the truth, sometimes the comedy has to be what it is.
Also, of course, the imaginary fictional version might be deemed somewhat insensitive so soon after the incident although it might well get a laugh if sufficient time had elapsed between the tragedy and the joke.
Given the recency of the events, however, I think the factual link between the flooded homes and Mr Waterhouse when added to the fact that the butt of the joke is the BBC's insensitivity rather than the plight of the homeowners probably represents an acceptable ironic news item to most people - perhaps even to the flood victims themselves.
Sometimes, a weak joke about a tragedy can be helpful whereas a "better" joke so soon after an event is absolutely certain to give offence to a great many people.
All in all, I think the irony of the perfectly truthful news item is, under all circumstances, a good and acceptable item for the current affairs thread of a comedy forum.