Well I'd go for the aren't foriegn accents funny, as being a little on the racist side.
Too be honest if it was funnier, I might have thought differently.
If you're funny you can get away with an awful lot.
It's context over content.
Horrible tea. Page 2
Just out of interest did anyone bother reading Danny's introduction to the sketch?
This is crazy, as Timbo says, Danny introduced the sketch as anecdotal and it is a fairly harmless sketch in comparison to some. If people like the sketch and show praise it is not because they are sycophants - to take such a superior attitude is just wrong. Everyone's opinion is individual and should be treated with respect.
Yep - I did read the intro.
I suppose it's maybe more of an anecdote for down the pub (in Yorkshire?) than a sketch.
And offensive - moi? Not really. I mean I'm honest - I've praised sketches and also criticised them, but I've also written lengthy crits and read and critiqued documents of several pages that have been sent to me. I've hated some of sooty's, but also loved some - same with others.
But I do honestly believe that there is an air of people praising when it's not necessarily due - which doesn't really do anyone any favours. For example, if I posted something I'd rather have one person tell me what was good and two tell me what didn't work than have 10 people go 'yeah - nice one'.
I would also add that this is a writer's forum, a place where you can make mistakes. Humour is always going to be dicing with bad taste. If a sketch can be construed as offensive, then say so certainly, but don't judge.
I published a sketch last night which in retrospect I can see was in poor taste (and not funny), and I am grateful for the non-judgemental feedback I had to that effect
I also think, Barbs, that your initial comments to Danny rather denounced his sketch in a very unconstructive way and perhaps everything that has occurred since then has stemmed from that?
Sootyj:
"Well I'd go for the aren't foriegn accents funny, as being a little on the racist side."
I say: The sketch came about as an incident from real-life, a genuine misunderstanding. Currently if what we read in the press is to be believed this country is experiencing the biggest influx of migrants it's ever experienced in it's entire history. There's bound to be the odd mishearing/misunderstanding. People shouldn't feel isolated in that, if they relate to a friend or colleague something that happened to them, that they might be accused of racism where none was intended.
In the sketch, and I know you skipped through it so you may have genuinely missed it, the salesgirl snigger's at the manager. He shoots her a look to silence her, as previously he'd tried to embarrass her. Now he's the one that's being laughed at by the salesgirl. She's enjoying his humiliation because he told her it was her fault earlier.
It's a sub-text to the main thrust of the sketch. Again, several posters were kind enough to say they liked it. You don't. It doesn't make them wrong because you strongly disagree with them. (Neither does it make you wrong), but you do come across as intolerant. So, feel free to dislike it. End of. The racist crap however is hogwash. I refute that accusation. You're just adding to the burden of everyone in this country who is made to be afraid to discuss sensitive issues.
That may be true - in which case apologies.
I suppose my crit was applied with a sledgehammer rather than a scalpel.
Be careful with phraseology would be a neater summation of my point - in the same way that people get told that their sketches are let down by poor grammar, spelling etc I think the same can happen with one line that grates with the reader.
But peace - it's only t'internet. Also, it's weird being taken to task by James Bolam.
Have you seen that Two Ronnies sketch set in a shop, a bit like this?
Small Ronnie plays some sort of generic foreigner asking for things in a silly accent, and big Ronnie has to figure out what he's asking for.
It's my favourite Two Ronnies sketch!
Wish I could find it on youtube.
Actually, I'm sure Jonathan Ross mentioned it on his TV show a few weeks ago. Ronnie Corbett must have been the guest, I suppose...?
Quote: Barbs @ May 29 2008, 7:06 PM BSTBut peace - it's only t'internet. Also, it's weird being taken to task by James Bolam.
Aye, peace it is, Barbs ... pet 
Quote: zooo @ May 29 2008, 7:07 PM BSTHave you seen that Two Ronnies sketch set in a shop, a bit like this?
Small Ronnie plays some sort of generic foreigner asking for things in a silly accent, and big Ronnie has to figure out what he's asking for.
It's my favourite Two Ronnies sketch!
Wish I could find it on youtube.Actually, I'm sure Jonathan Ross mentioned it on his TV show a few weeks ago. Ronnie Corbett must have been the guest, I suppose...?
Do you mean the fork handles sketch?
Noooo!
It's a less well known one.
It's more like a food shop. And Corbett is dressed in robes.
Quote: zooo @ May 29 2008, 7:21 PM BSTNoooo!
It's a less well known one.
It's more like a food shop. And Corbett is dressed in robes.
Blimey they made over 100 shows, I'll have a look through a few for you but I could be some time 
There's about 6 of them, Viking restaurant, restaurant serving Rooks, Ronnie Barker had a big time thing on pronunciation.
n.b. I don't view the skit as being big time racist, just viewable as racist enough to not get made.
And that's not my personal view, it's more an experiential one.
Hell I'm a full time counselor for the BNP, and part time administrator on I-heart-national-socialism dot com.
It's amazing how you get boxed into a corner!
That said I can see where it's going, it just takes a little to long to get there.
And I could be wrong horses, for courses. There may well be some one who wrote to the BBC saying that Parrot may be dead, how dare you mock it.
n.b. check out my skit Marko for a similar idea.
Quote: Alan C @ May 29 2008, 7:26 PM BSTBlimey they made over 100 shows, I'll have a look through a few for you but I could be some time
Aw!
I'll find it on youtube one day, there's millions to trawl through.
Okay Barbs, peace.
But just to put the shoe on the other foot for a mo' when you said, " ... suppose it's maybe more of an anecdote for down the pub (in Yorkshire?)"
An innocent enough remark, yes? Otherwise you wouldn't have said it. But, I can make it un-innocent if I decide play the PC card and show that remark hides deep-seated prejudices.
Now let me take your original argument and apply it to your Yorkshire statement:
Yorkshire? Where d'you get that? What, only Yorkshire people would dare make such a racist anecdote? You got a jaundiced opinion of Yorkshire people or what?
Oh, I see you mean WHITE Yorkshire people.
Because trying to frame an insult against WASP types is not racist in your book, is that the subtext of the Yorkshire jibe? You do know there are ethnic minorities in Yorkshire, who are proud of being a Yorkshire man or woman, and who will take offence at that slur against Yorkshire don't you?
See how taking your viewpoint gets ridiculously out of hand?
P.S. I have absolutely no connection with Yorkshire whatsoever by the way.
Anyway. Peace.