A BAFTA-winning spin-off series of a major 70s hit has become the latest show to be slapped with a woke trigger warning.
The BBC have slapped yet another disclaimer on one of their classics, this time it’s Going Straight.
Ronnie Barker starred in the hit series – which was a sequel to smash-hit 70s sitcom Porridge[/caption]
A ‘discriminatory’ language warning has been placed on a number of episodes of the Bafta-winning show, which is available on iPlayer[/caption]
Starring the late Ronnie Barker, Richard Beckinsale, Patricia Brake and Nicholas Lyndhurst, it was the spin-off to smash-hit 70s series Porridge.
It saw Ronnie’s character Norman Stanley following his release from prison and his attempts to not commit any new crimes.
All six episodes of the show – which drew a whopping 15 million viewers in 1978 – are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
It even scooped a Bafta TV Award in 1979 for Best Situation Comedy.
However, it’s been slapped with a ‘discriminatory’ language warning by Beeb bosses who fear it will offend today’s audience.
Two episodes from the series carry an alert which reads: “Contains discriminatory language and content.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “Attitudes and language change over time and our approach, just like other streaming services, is to tell viewers when a show includes something that maybe offensive, inappropriate or outdated and because some people aren’t offended, it doesn’t mean that others aren’t.”
Porridge, which ran for three series between 1974 and 1977, has also been slapped with a warning about discriminatory language.
It comes after The Sun revealed Father Ted had been slapped with a ‘woke’ trigger warning by Channel 4 bosses.
Bosses fear 1998 episode Are You Right There, Father Ted could upset today’s viewers because of its language and scenes of racial impersonation.
It includes a sequence where Ted, played by Dermot Morgan, appears to mock the Chinese wearing a lampshade on his head and later looks like Hitler thanks to some furious arm gestures and a well-placed mark on the window.
The misunderstanding sees the priest spend the rest of the episode trying to convince the island he was not “a bit of a racist”.
The hilarious plot point was deemed triggering by Channel 4’s streaming service, with a warning reading: “This episode was made in 1998 and contains language and racial impersonation which some viewers may find offensive.”
The IT Crowd has also been hit with a disclaimer by C4 execs, as they warn the hit series was made in a different era.
Best 80s sitcoms
We take a look at some of the best sitcoms to air on TV in the 80s.
The Simpsons
This satirical depiction of life in the US was developed by Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, and Sam Simon. It first launched in 1989 and has been going ever since as viewers tune in to see the antics of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie and the rest of the Springfield residents. With over 35 series making it onto the television airwaves, it has become one of the most famous and long-running television shows in history.
Only Fools And Horses
Widely accepted as one of the best British sitcoms of all time, Only Fools and Horses has made viewers laugh for decades. Seven series of the show were made for the BBC One from 1981 for ten years. Set in working-class Peckham, it starred Sir David Jason in his most famous role as the infamous market trader Derek “Del Boy” Trotter. Nicholas Lyndhurst starred as his younger half-brother, Rodney Trotter. In 2004, it was voted as Britain’s Best Sitcom in a BBC poll.
Full House
The US sitcom Full House was created in 1987 with Bob Saget starring father-of-three Danny Tanner. After his wife died, he called in the help of his brother-in-law Jesse (John Stamos) and best friend Joey (Dave Coulier) to move in and help raise his young daughters, DJ (Candace Cameron Bure), Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and Michelle (Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen). After eight series, the show came to an end before Netflix revived the franchise for a spin-off, Fuller House.
Golden Girls
Seven series aired from 1985 until 1992. It followed Four women – who were previously married – moved in together in a shared apartment in Miami. Together, they faced various struggles and encounter comical situations in their daily lives. Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty starred in roles that short them to superstardom.
Cheers
1982 was the year that saw the inception of Cheers. An eclectic group of people from all different paths of life meet at a bar Cheers. The boston boozer sees the group share their experiences as they work and drank at the establishment. It starred the likes of Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman. Huge names such as Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson and Kirstie Alley also starred in the hit series.
Growing Pains
Dr. Jason Seaver (Alan Thicke) is a psychiatrist who works from home so his wife, Maggie (Joanna Kerns), can resume her career as a journalist. They share three children, Mike (Kirk Cameron), Carol (Tracey Gold), and Ben (Jeremy Miller). This was before their precocious daughter Chrissy (Ashley Johnson) was born. The programme tackled topical issues such as drugs, suicide, peer pressure and alcohol.
