Radio Review: 8 February
There’s been a lot of talk about the right to offend. A right that I support completely, but only if the right to be offended is also acknowledged. You can say anything you like, but only if you realise that others have the right to challenge you on it. It takes a lot to offend me. You’re waiting for the ‘but’, I can tell. There isn’t one. I do, however, get slightly annoyed when people say that because they weren’t offended by something, they can’t understand why anyone else would be. It’s not a one size fits all thing.
Example: the other day, a Twitter friend mentioned a situation comedy on Radio 4 that she disliked for its use of gay stereotypes. I listened to the programme and couldn’t find any obvious problems. Does this mean she was wrong to be bothered? No. It was her own perception, which is just as valid as mine. The show in question was In And Out Of The Kitchen, written by and starring Miles Jupp, a comedian I like immensely. His presence on a show like Have I Got News For You always elevates the proceedings. He manages to be warm and edgy, unthreatening but deadly, all at the same time. Maybe the fluffiness is down to the fact that parents of young children know him best as Archie the Inventor in Balamory.
Jupp plays cookery writer Damien Trench, who lives with his unemployed financier partner Anthony (Justin Edwards). The episode I heard, number two of series two, concerned Trench surrendering the kitchen to McIlveny for Valentine’s Day, their annual tradition. Much of the comedy came from the inability of culinary professional Trench to let go and trust his partner completely, seeking any excuse to barge in and direct the proceedings. When the builder working on their house needed a light bulb, Trench volunteered to get it from the kitchen. It seemed to me a warm, positive representation of a gay couple. To keep out of mischief, the builder took him to collect some materials.
The joke didn’t seem to be that Trench didn’t have a clue about construction work because he was gay, it was because he wasn’t a builder. So, that’s the case for the defence.
On the flip side, I didn’t laugh as much as I was expecting. It was far too inoffensive.
In And Out Of The Kitchen, Radio 4, Mondays at 11.30am.
Follow Louis on Twitter: @LadyWireless or email him at: wireless@cheeseford.net For Louis’ blog: www.lady.co.uk
Example: the other day, a Twitter friend mentioned a situation comedy on Radio 4 that she disliked for its use of gay stereotypes. I listened to the programme and couldn’t find any obvious problems. Does this mean she was wrong to be bothered? No. It was her own perception, which is just as valid as mine. The show in question was In And Out Of The Kitchen, written by and starring Miles Jupp, a comedian I like immensely. His presence on a show like Have I Got News For You always elevates the proceedings. He manages to be warm and edgy, unthreatening but deadly, all at the same time. Maybe the fluffiness is down to the fact that parents of young children know him best as Archie the Inventor in Balamory.
Jupp plays cookery writer Damien Trench, who lives with his unemployed financier partner Anthony (Justin Edwards). The episode I heard, number two of series two, concerned Trench surrendering the kitchen to McIlveny for Valentine’s Day, their annual tradition. Much of the comedy came from the inability of culinary professional Trench to let go and trust his partner completely, seeking any excuse to barge in and direct the proceedings. When the builder working on their house needed a light bulb, Trench volunteered to get it from the kitchen. It seemed to me a warm, positive representation of a gay couple. To keep out of mischief, the builder took him to collect some materials.
The joke didn’t seem to be that Trench didn’t have a clue about construction work because he was gay, it was because he wasn’t a builder. So, that’s the case for the defence.
On the flip side, I didn’t laugh as much as I was expecting. It was far too inoffensive.
In And Out Of The Kitchen, Radio 4, Mondays at 11.30am.
REACHIN’ OUT
Former pirate station Radio Caroline is still going, and readers of The Lady are encouraged to listen to Al Dupres’ Countdown Of Album Sounds every Saturday between noon and 3pm. The programme can be heard on satellite or online at www.radiocaroline.co.ukFollow Louis on Twitter: @LadyWireless or email him at: wireless@cheeseford.net For Louis’ blog: www.lady.co.uk