Come Fly on the Wall BBC One -
Tonight 10.35pm (except Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales)
The making of Matt Lucas and David Walliams' spoof airport documentary Come Fly with Me. The pair discuss the development of the series from pre-production and rehearsals to filming at some of the UK's busiest venues. The programme also looks at the extensive sessions in the make-up chair needed for Matt and David to transform into their new characters
Well I watched this doc last night (now on the iPlayer), and Lucas and Walliams touched on the Chinese characters that sparked this thread - but I have to say I was less than convinced by the artistic argument for their inclusion.
Their view is that its really ok to make a joke specifically about ethnicity/race, as its only for a few minutes per episode; and that time has moved on from the days when jokes were overtly racist, and indeed from the time where "no one dared" to crack a joke based on ethnicity at all.
They do seem to be nice people, and I don't think there's any malice in what they do - and from that perspective I wouldn't take offence at any of their characters.
But I just found the gags to be a little weak.
And goodness me, they both looked incredibly po-faced and serious throughout their interview - even though it was their production company who made the behind-the-scenes programme.
Well I watched this doc last night (now on the iPlayer), and Lucas and Walliams touched on the Chinese characters that sparked this thread - but I have to say I was less than convinced by the artistic argument for their inclusion.
Their view is that its really ok to make a joke specifically about ethnicity/race, as its only for a few minutes per episode; and that time has moved on from the days when jokes were overtly racist, and indeed from the time where "no one dared" to crack a joke based on ethnicity at all.
Their point was more that the ethnicity of the character wasn't the target of the joke unlike when people have 'blacked up' or done similar in the past.
You've proved that the ethnicity of the character is irrelevant as the 2 girls in episode 1 weren't Chinese!
Well I watched this doc last night (now on the iPlayer), and Lucas and Walliams touched on the Chinese characters that sparked this thread - but I have to say I was less than convinced by the artistic argument for their inclusion.
Their view is that its really ok to make a joke specifically about ethnicity/race, as its only for a few minutes per episode; and that time has moved on from the days when jokes were overtly racist, and indeed from the time where "no one dared" to crack a joke based on ethnicity at all.
Their point was more that the ethnicity of the character wasn't the target of the joke unlike when people have 'blacked up' or done similar in the past.
Umm... that's sort of what they said. They certainly didn't make the point of the girls being "super fans of Martin Clunes" - the nub of the gag really was their appearance and affect.
Quote:
You've proved that the ethnicity of the character is irrelevant as the 2 girls in episode 1 weren't Chinese!
Which rather reminds me of the joke about the man who accuses the Jews of sinking the Titanic.
When pushed to explain he says, "Iceberg, Goldberg - what's the difference?"
