Little Britain Sketches Spark Controversy on TikTok
More than two decades after its initial release, the British sketch comedy show Little Britain has found a new lease on life on TikTok, with millions of users sharing and viewing short clips from the series. However, many of these viral clips are the very ones that led to the show’s removal from streaming platforms in 2020 due to their outdated and often offensive content.
Created by Matt Lucas and David Walliams, Little Britain was a defining comedy of the 2000s, winning awards and running across multiple seasons. However, as societal standards around race, sexuality, and disability have evolved, the show has come under fire for jokes that many now see as not just outdated but outright offensive. According to an article by Eastern Eye, which first reported on the resurgence of Little Britain on TikTok, the show’s problematic content has sparked a heated debate about cultural history, comedic relics, and the ease with which offensive content can be repackaged and recirculated in the age of short-form virality.
The show’s use of blackface and racial impersonations has been widely criticised, with Lucas and Walliams regularly donning makeup to portray Black, Asian, and Middle Eastern characters. For example, Desiree DeVere, a Black woman played by Lucas, and Walliams’ portrayal of a Pakistani airport worker in Come Fly With Me, are now widely cited as textbook examples of casual racism in British comedy. Eastern Eye reports that these sketches, along with others that mock immigrants, have been shared and viewed millions of times on TikTok.
Other criticised elements of the show include homophobic tropes, such as the character of Daffyd Thomas, "the only gay in the village," which became a pop culture icon but has been accused of trivialising queer identity. The show’s portrayal of disability has also been criticised, particularly in the Lou and Andy sketches, where a man pretends to be disabled while secretly living a full and able-bodied life. Eastern Eye quotes Lucas and Walliams as admitting that they were wrong to include such content in the show.
Despite the controversy surrounding Little Britain, the show’s resurgence on TikTok has sparked a debate about why a younger generation, often characterised as more "woke," is drawn to the show’s outdated humour. Some see it as a rebellion against the restrictions of "cancel culture," while others argue that Gen-Z is not laughing with the show but at its absurdity. Eastern Eye reports that the nostalgia factor is also at play, particularly for older Gen-Zs who may have grown up overhearing these sketches at home.
In 2020, Lucas and Walliams issued public apologies for the show’s problematic content, and the BBC removed Little Britain from iPlayer, with Netflix following suit. However, a few versions of the show have since returned to platforms, albeit with edits. As Eastern Eye notes, characters in blackface and racially insensitive sketches are no longer included.
The debate surrounding Little Britain raises important questions about cultural history, comedic relics, and the ease with which offensive content can be repackaged and recirculated in the age of short-form virality. As Eastern Eye asks, is Little Britain a cultural history worth critiquing, a comedic relic that should stay buried, or a mirror to how easily offensive content can be repackaged and recirculated? Only time will tell, but for now, the show’s resurgence on TikTok has sparked a much-needed conversation about the impact of comedy on society.
The show’s creators have acknowledged that they were wrong to include certain content in the show, and it is clear that Little Britain is a product of its time. However, as Eastern Eye reports, the show’s resurgence on TikTok has also sparked a renewed interest in the show’s history and its cultural significance. As such, it is essential to continue the conversation about Little Britain and its impact on society, and to consider the implications of sharing and viewing its content on social media platforms like TikTok.
The article from Eastern Eye highlights the complexities of comedy and cultural history, and the need for ongoing conversations about the impact of media on society. As the media landscape continues to evolve, it is essential to consider the implications of sharing and viewing content that may be considered outdated or offensive. By doing so, we can work towards a more nuanced understanding of the role of comedy in shaping cultural attitudes and promoting social change.
According to Eastern Eye, the controversy surrounding Little Britain serves as a reminder of the importance of critically evaluating the media we consume and considering the potential impact of our actions on social media platforms. By being mindful of the content we share and view, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and respectful cultural landscape.
The resurgence of Little Britain on TikTok has sparked a necessary conversation about comedy, cultural history, and social responsibility. As Eastern Eye notes, the show’s problematic content has been criticised by many, and it is essential to consider the implications of sharing and viewing such content on social media platforms. By doing so, we can work towards a more nuanced understanding of the role of comedy in shaping cultural attitudes and promoting social change.
