A Reader's Digest poll of 4000 Europeans voted the British as the nation in Europe with the best sense of humour (the Germans came last). The Impressionist used to think that finding European humour, er ... non-existent, was just because he was thick (or had German ancestors). Either way, this is not a result that should swell the British breast with pride. Being thought of as the diddies of Europe is not a good starting point for negotiations on, say, farming: 'You vant to remove my subsidies? You naughty prime minister!'.
40 years ago, TV comedy shows like those of Benny Hill attracted millions of viewers in the UK.
Much of Hill's humour was encapsulated in speeded-up films of Hill and lots of scantily-clad girls chasing each other over and around unlikely obstacles. Visiting Spain not so long ago, The Impressionist was amazed to see locals guffawing over those same sketches rerun on grainy videos. True comedy is, as they say, universal.
Would anyone today describe Benny Hill as a 'comedy genius'? Not in Britain they wouldn't.
Nowadays that kind of epithet is reserved for the perpetrators of
Little Britain or the
Vicar of Dibley. And it's as true for them as it was for Benny Hill. In 40 years, people will look sideways at
the only gay in the village and ask each other with a knowing smirk how anyone ever found that funny.
Comedy is neither a response to social conditions nor does it drive social change. The hyper-acidic satire of Rory Bremner and the two Johns, however well-aimed, is never going to make the Establishment 'fess up. The viewer merely takes some comfort from no longer being alone in his suspicions.
And so it is with all popular TV shows, comedic or otherwise. If these characters on the box can live with lies, depression, vindictiveness, and can still see the funny side ...
Then again, maybe Benny Hill was right and all the TV viewer really wants is vicarious fun.