The BBC has ignited a fresh debate about censorship and classic comedy after slapping a 'trigger warning' on an episode of the beloved sitcom Open All Hours.
The warning appears before the 1982 Christmas special on iPlayer, alerting viewers that the episode 'contains language and attitudes of the time that may offend'.
Why the Warning?
The specific episode features Ronnie Barker's character Arkwright making persistent romantic advances towards nurse Gladys Emmanuel, played by Lynda Baron. While played for laughs in the original broadcast, such storylines are now often criticised as examples of outdated attitudes towards women.
A BBC spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'We occasionally add warnings to programmes where content reflects historical attitudes that some viewers might find offensive today.'
Mixed Reactions from Fans
The move has divided fans of the classic comedy:
- Some applaud the BBC for acknowledging changing social norms
- Others argue it's unnecessary censorship of harmless humour
- Many point out that context is crucial for understanding comedy from different eras
Created by Roy Clarke, Open All Hours ran from 1973 to 1985 and was later revived as Still Open All Hours in 2013. The show remains one of Britain's most cherished sitcoms, known for its gentle humour and memorable characters.
The Bigger Picture
This isn't the first time the BBC has added warnings to classic shows. Recent years have seen similar disclaimers added to programmes like Fawlty Towers and Only Fools and Horses, reflecting broadcasters' increasing sensitivity to changing social attitudes.
As streaming platforms make decades-old content easily accessible, the debate about how to handle potentially problematic material from different eras shows no signs of abating.
