What about Red Green?
Posted on 04/15/2025 5:15:33 AM PDT by Angelino97
Benny Hill was once one of Britain's most popular entertainers, with his particular brand of comedy - slapstick and risque - hugely popular for some two decades with a theme tune that will bring back memories for anyone of a certain age.
It's reported that one of his specials, aired in 1969, attracted a bigger audience than the moon landings but in recent years, the comedian has fallen out of favour, with some of his sketches being criticised over their racist and sexist jokes.
This was the topic of a recent Channel 5 programme, The Cancellation of Benny Hill, looking back at the comedian's career, noting that his popularity extended to major stars including Michael Jackson, while he also appeared in a number of movies, including The Italian Job and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
In 1971, viewing figures for his show topped 21 million and the comedian was awarded ITV personality of the year.
But his success would come to a sudden end in the 1980s and his shows are 'rarely on TV nowadays – having been criticised for containing racist, sexist, risqué and vulgar content which would be deemed unacceptable by today's standards'.
Programme's makers looked back through the archives to find footage that cannot 'under normal circumstances' be played on TV today, and aired it for some younger viewers, Ellie, Pradeep, and Jodie, as well as cultural commentators, to get their reactions.
The show also sought to answer the question of 'whether it’s time to bring Benny out of the comedy cold, or whether he should stay "cancelled?".'
Some of the clips shocked the younger viewers due to their politically incorrect content, however, there were others that they found more amusing.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
This is the 2nd Victorian Age.
Even Jerry Seinfeld said that "Comedy's dead".
Someday someone will sit me down and explain British humor to me.
I find it painful to sit through.
I love their old dramas.
Also Canadian humor?
Second City TV?
Nooooooooo!
Dad introduced us to British humour, including Benny Hill, the Carry On movies, Alec Guinness, etc.
What about Red Green?
he should not be cancelled- just don’t watch if you are that offended.
He never came out.
These same idiots who think Benny in black face or staring at a chick’s ass is horrifying, have no problem with hulking drag queens reading tranny books to 7 year olds.
Blackadder was the best...
Word.
Lower tidmarsh fire brigade.
That one skit summed up the Benny hill show and was really funny if you enjoy btit humor.
Speaking of God’s sense of humor immediately brings Al Gore to mind
“Benny Hill was funny.”
Yes.
Very funny. Totally non-PC. Used to watch it every week. Basically, a less intellectual Monty Python. Loved them both.
“…unacceptable by modern standards….”
Who the hell imposed “modern standards” on us? On behalf of what authority? And what “acceptable” does even mean? Seeing Benny Hill innocent comedy is unacceptable, but rivers of blood and mountains of dead mutilated bodies and body parts in the majority of modern cinema-garbage are OK by modern standards?
that tee shirt is funny
The jokes were on Benny. But everyone looks for ways to be offended today. Insufferable.
What I’ve begun doing is turning on Barny Saunders/AOK Joan Baez “Hand Clap” concerts. I turn the volume all the way down and play “Yakety Sax” on the CD player on Number !!.
Jane Leeves (Daphne from Frasier) was a Hill’s Angel for a few episodes in the 80s. Should she be canceled, too?
Cultural genocide - anything someone finds offensive today must be erased.
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