BBC COMEDY WRITERS BATTLE CENSORING “POLICE”

Comedy writers for the BBC now must answer to “commissioning, legal, compliance and editorial policy police” who are determined to erase “the merest potential offense” from programs, veteran British TV comedy producer and writer John Lloyd has written in the BBC news magazine Radio Times. In the article, Lloyd complains that BBC executives have imposed “blanket proscriptions” that “reduce everything to a bland vichyssoise that suits comedy not at all.” Reporting on Lloyd’s remarks, the London Daily Express pointed out today (Tuesday) that other British comedy stars have also complained that a “culture of form filling” has arisen at the BBC that “stifles talent.”