RTE Refuses to broadcast comedy sketch

Cabaal

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2014/06/09/banned/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7soRJK92zg

The Savage Eye:
“Our Wild Nuns sketch that RTÉ refused to broadcast…”

I'm guessing their excuse will be its a sensitive time, but I'd say this would have been banned 6 weeks ago as well.

MaxWig

Cabaal wrote: »

I'm guessing their excuse will be its a sensitive time, but I'd say this would have been banned 6 weeks ago as well.

In fairness, we have no idea why it wasn't aired.

May have been any number of other reasons rather than 'nun-related' concern.

bluefinger

I like McSavage's stuff normally, but that sketch has very little comedic merit and is actually gratuitously offensive.

Czarcasm

bluefinger wrote: »

I like McSavage's stuff normally, but that sketch has very little comedic merit and is actually gratuitously offensive.

I was just about to post the exact opposite tbh. I find McSavage to be the most unfunny fcuker in Montrose, akin to Tommy Tiernan in terms of comedic value, or indeed lack thereof.

But that video was quality, not quite the Father Ted shtick, which was hilarious in it's simplicity, but I can see no reason why RTE would ban that video unless they wanted to generate publicity for McSavage's new series because the rest of it is utter shìte.

That'd be me being cynical though.

robindch

bluefinger wrote: »

[...] gratuitously offensive.

I don't think it's one of his better thigh-slappers, but it's a good riff on the Diet Coke ad all the same.

Akrasia

bluefinger wrote: »

I like McSavage's stuff normally, but that sketch has very little comedic merit and is actually gratuitously offensive.

I think it's pretty funny

It's making fun of two concepts, the first, is that nuns are 'married to god' and the second is that nuns are non sexual. Nuns are women too and have a sexuality just like any other woman, but their sexuality is supposed to be utterly repressed

It's certainly no more offensive than the Nun sketch in Monty Python and the Holy Grail where Sir Galahad meets a convent at 'Castle Anthrax' full of randy nuns

mike65

So it'll be a while before RTE screens The Devils then?

Cabaal

I gota say I don't watch RTE stuff, only time I see it is when I visit my parents house as they usually have it on so i can't comment on the shows overall comedy value,

As for the sketch, its no more offensive the Monty Python stuff,

Lets not forget the outrage over this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUspLVStPbk

foggy_lad

I can only imagine that particular sketch wasn't aired because it is shlte. Nothing to laugh at here folks its not even controversial even with recent media attention on mother and baby homes.

I hope the production company don't get paid for shlte like that or the real question would be why are RTE throwing away taxpayers money.

eviltwin

Don't find it funny but don't find it offensive either, I reckon its more the portrayal of Jesus that's the issue rather than the nuns themselves.

bluefinger

i get what the ad was trying to do, all i'm saying is there was no need for some of it.
i think most would have gathered that the gardener was jesus without the cross strapped to his back for instance.


maybe i'm (overly) sensitive to the views of Catholics

bluefinger

On the Monty Python stuff, I think that's comedy gold, proper satire, especially given the period.

geeky

Maybe the RTE heads just didn't find it funny.

I know I didn't, and it's nothing to do with the dancing nuns or Jesus. Really, it's just the comedic equivalent of what McSavage used to do on the street - shouting random nonsense in the hope of offending people. Thanks to RTE, I can at least avoid this muppet by just not watching the show.

GLaDOS

Thought it was fairly weak myself, but banning it is ridiculous.

Cabaal

bluefinger wrote: »

On the Monty Python stuff, I think that's comedy gold, proper satire, especially given the period.

It still pissed off people no end years ago,
You have to remember the Life Of Brian was banned in Ireland until 1987, The Meaning Of Life was also banned.

Funny that both had religious tones in them and both banned in Ireland eh?

Holy Grail wasn't banned in Ireland at all....so it wasn't like they were just banning Monty Python movies :pac:

Btw I'm not by any stretch claiming that this comedy sketch is anything like the quality of monty python...its not in a million years. Does it deserve to be banned though, nope.

bluefinger

Cabaal wrote: »

It still pissed off people no end years ago,
You have to remember the Life Of Brian was banned in Ireland until 1987, The Meaning Of Life was also banned.

Funny that both had religious tones in them and both banned in Ireland eh?

Holy Grail wasn't banned in Ireland at all....so it wasn't like they were just banning Monty Python movies :pac:

Btw I'm not by any stretch claiming that this comedy sketch is anything like the quality of monty python...its not in a million years. Does it deserve to be banned though, nope.

We had a vinyl copy of the life of Brian in the house that i listened to religiously :pac: . I could probably recite it word for word including the voice-overs.

I don't think this clip qualifies as being banned though as it is readily available. Rte in their wisdom have decided not to air it. I'm sure there's plenty of stuff they decide not to air that has no religious connotations.

this could be for many of the reasons above, such as, it's crap, bad timing, or as I suggested it has nothing funny about it allied to the fact that it appears to be going out of its way to offend the religious.

geeky

Cabaal wrote: »

Btw I'm not by any stretch claiming that this comedy sketch is anything like the quality of monty python...its not in a million years. Does it deserve to be banned though, nope.

Who says it was banned, though, other than McSavage himself? Honestly, I think RTE just didn't show it because it's unfunny tosh.

Cabaal

geeky wrote: »

Who says it was banned, though, other than McSavage himself? Honestly, I think RTE just didn't show it because it's unfunny tosh.

McSavage says they banned it, so until we have other information to say what the situation thats the best available info for why rte won't air it.

If it just didn't make the editing cut due to time reasons or it was "unfunny" then fair enough, however given the other "comedy" McSavage churns out I don't see how this clip is "unfunny"

Pherekydes

Fairly lame, and old. It's been done before, probably many times. Dave Allen used to run similar sketches in the 70s.

Bannable though? Not unless you're RTE and worried about blasphemy and iOnanists.

I think a craven streak runs through that organisation at the top.

Nodin

Pherekydes wrote: »

Fairly lame, and old. It's been done before, probably many times. Dave Allen used to run similar sketches in the 70s.

Bannable though? Not unless you're RTE and worried about blasphemy and iOnanists.

I think a craven streak runs through that organisation at the top.

The one time RTE stood up for itself, the whole lot got sacked. Since then its been a cap doffing, forelock tugging extravaganza. Remember the abysmal apology over them pictures of cowan?

Eeden

geeky wrote: »

Maybe the RTE heads just didn't find it funny.

I know I didn't, and it's nothing to do with the dancing nuns or Jesus. Really, it's just the comedic equivalent of what McSavage used to do on the street - shouting random nonsense in the hope of offending people. Thanks to RTE, I can at least avoid this muppet by just not watching the show.

Having seen what RTE heads have "allowed" to be broadcast as comedy down the years, I doubt if the reason they won't show this is because they don't think it's funny...!

SebBerkovich

I've not often found McSavage's stuff funny - this sketch to me is fairly bland. But comedic taste often differs, each to their own.

One thing that we can agree for sure is that by the evidence of Iona's bank statement alone, RTE are very determined to keep any Religious loons out there as happy as possible. I'd tend to believe McSavage, considering RTE's record.

Gordon

Wouldn't put it past this guy saying that it's banned when really rte just think it's sh*te. Won't be surprised if he's trying to latch on to a bit of easy publicity due to the content. This is the guy that used to harangue passers by and insult them when busking in Dublin right?

Really conflicted between apparent censorship being bad and anything that reduces the amount of time that anything McSavage is in any way involved with being on TV being good.

Obliq

Cabaal wrote: »

I'm guessing their excuse will be its a sensitive time, but I'd say this would have been banned 6 weeks ago as well.

When is it not a sensitive time?

The sketch is pretty poor, but that's beside the point.

ted1

I didn't find it funny? rather than banned, i would say it didn't make the cut.

Or the cynic in me says its just a cheap publicity stunt.

Who own the rights to the clip?

Would have been funnier without the cross bit
Bit silly

Standman

It's no more shite than most of his other sketches, which RTE seem to love since he keeps getting to air new series of the show.

ted1

Standman wrote: »

It's no more shite than most of his other sketches, which RTE seem to love since he keeps getting to air new series of the show.

It helps to have family in politics and working for RTE

Nodin

Obliq wrote: »

When is it not a sensitive time?

The sketch is pretty poor, but that's beside the point.

"poor" is one thing, but its certainly very tame.

Elektronske

irish humour very strange

Hotblack Desiato

Just because he can do an impression of Mary Robinson doesn't mean he should. Totally unfunny and 20 years too late (as is the nun sketch - pre-Fr Ted it might have been seen as a bit daring to anyone who didn't get to see Dave Allen on BBC in the 70s.)

geeky

Cabaal wrote: »

McSavage says they banned it, so until we have other information to say what the situation thats the best available info for why rte won't air it.

If it just didn't make the editing cut due to time reasons or it was "unfunny" then fair enough, however given the other "comedy" McSavage churns out I don't see how this clip is "unfunny"

It's always easier to cry censorship than do a bit of self-examination

Eeden wrote: »

Having seen what RTE heads have "allowed" to be broadcast as comedy down the years, I doubt if the reason they won't show this is because they don't think it's funny...!

A fair point! But we can't rule out an attack of decent taste.

Honestly, this smacks of McSavage looking to drum up a bit of controversy and attention by playing the censorship card.

Birroc

Just to lighten the mood...

http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/media/david-mcsavage-accuses-rt%C3%A9-of-dictatorial-censorship-1.1826056

Elektronske

Birroc wrote: »

Just to lighten the mood...

Ireland has a very weird sense of humour to say the least.
I don't find this funny in this thread, there is already a thread on it.

Birroc

Elektronske wrote: »

Ireland has a very weird sense of humour to say the least.
I don't find this funny in this thread, there is already a thread on it.

I found the comment from RTE interesting: "the sketch might suggest the broadcaster had no respect for the sacredness that Christian viewers attribute to this iconography"

They must have missed this sketch

Now do you get it?

Birroc

Cabaal

http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/media/david-mcsavage-accuses-rt%C3%A9-of-dictatorial-censorship-1.1826056

Comedian David McSavage has accused RTÉ of engaging in “dictatorial” censorship by refusing to broadcast a sketch entitled Wild Nuns.

This evening the comedian released an email which he said came from RTÉ where he was warned the sketch might suggest the broadcaster had “no respect for the sacredness that Christian viewers attribute to this iconography”.

The email went on to warn that broadcasting the sketch could “very quickly generate the potential for justifiable offence from viewers of the Christian faith”.

“RTÉ, having considered its own guidelines, and mindful of broadcasting legislation and codes, judged that this sketch as presented could cause undue offence.”

Sounds like they are worried about the blasphemy law?

So, hang on, they won't show the ****ty sketch with the nuns, but they'll show this sketch which is very offensive to Muslims

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uj-Xm1j6Xcw

double standards much?

Mint Sauce

Probably for the same reasons why they turned down Fr Ted before the makers took it to Channel 4.

SebBerkovich

I think it's a bigger scandal that RTE "dictatorially" refuses to broadcast any comedy that might be considered funny to viewers*.


*Catholic or otherwise.

Mint Sauce

Cabaal wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/media/david-mcsavage-accuses-rt%C3%A9-of-dictatorial-censorship-1.1826056







Sounds like they are worried about the blasphemy law?

So, hang on, they won't show the ****ty sketch with the nuns, but they'll show this sketch which is very offensive to Muslims

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uj-Xm1j6Xcw

double standards much?

Like a lot of his stuff, I just find that unfunny. But can see were the offence to Muslims could be caused.

Hesh's Umpire

Cabaal wrote: »

they'll show this sketch which is very offensive to Muslims

Very offensive to comedy anyway

JohnFalstaff

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Probably for the same reasons why they turned down Fr Ted before the makers took it to Channel 4.

That's a bit of an urban myth. RTE were never offered Father Ted.

Cabaal

JohnFalstaff wrote: »

That's a bit of an urban myth. RTE were never offered Father Ted.

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/may/27/graham-linehan-twitter-has-made-me

And there's another one, about him and Mathews having originally offering Father Ted to RTE, the Irish station. "We'd as soon have offered it to Waterford Crystal," he jokes. "They'd have had as much idea what to do with it." But still the rumours go on. Damn you, internet.

seems you are correct good sir,

Still, when RTE did eventually air Fr Ted there were alot of complaints and I remember a debate on the Late Late about it

JohnFalstaff

Cabaal wrote: »

Still, when RTE did eventually air Fr Ted there were alot of complaints and I remember a debate on the Late Late about it

RTE had no problem airing Dermot Morgan's earlier priestly incarnation - Father Trendy!

And that was back in the early 80's if memory serves, although twas fairly harmless stuff...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FHr7btvbuQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR2WgD_Ignk

Elektronske

Birroc wrote: »

Now do you get it?

No, I find savage eye 'comedy', dull, strange and warped, and especially irrelevant in a serious thread.

Birroc

Elektronske wrote: »

No, I find savage eye 'comedy', dull, strange and warped, and especially irrelevant in a serious thread.

Fail. You completely missed the question. On purpose I believe. The question was about double standards. You sense of humour is irrelevant.

Elektronske

Birroc wrote: »

Fail. You completely missed the question. On purpose I believe. The question was about double standards. You sense of humour is irrelevant.

What question ? And my opinion about what is comedy is as relevant as yours.

Birroc

Elektronske wrote: »

What question ? And my opinion about what is comedy is as relevant as yours.

Post #36, you already replied to it so you know the question.

Elektronske

Birroc wrote: »

Post #36, you already replied to it so you know the question.

And yet in your last post you claimed I missed the question

Your question was, after posting a 'comedy' video (which the moderator had to move) on a thread about the Tuam babies was :

"Now, do you get it"

I answered :

"No, I find savage eye 'comedy', dull, strange and warped, and especially irrelevant in a serious thread."

So please explain what question did I miss ?

Birroc

Elektronske wrote: »

And yet in your last post you claimed I missed the question

Your question was, after posting a 'comedy' video (which the moderator had to move) on a thread about the Tuam babies was :

"Now, do you get it"

I answered :

"No, I find savage eye 'comedy', dull, strange and warped, and especially irrelevant in a serious thread."

So please explain what question did I miss ?

The double standards from rte?