Theme Common To British Comedies (Press, 6 October 1976)
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Summary: Theme Common To British Comedies (Press, 6 October 1976)
On 6 October 1976, Kevin McMenamin reviewed three British comedies aired on a Monday night, reflecting on their reliance on sexual innuendo and the effectiveness of their humour. He noted that "It Ain't Half Hot Mum" stood out as the best of the trio, managing to deliver suggestive content in a humorous manner without descending into vulgarity. The show included moments that were almost too subtle, indicated by the audience’s laughter, which served to confirm the jokes. McMenamin pointed out a specific scene involving a sergeant-major and a painted Indian that called upon an old saying about soldiers, highlighting a difference in how British and American humour engages with the audience’s intelligence. In contrast, he critiqued the other two comedies, “Not On Your Nellie” and “And Mother Makes Five,” for failing to resonate well with viewers. He described the former as featuring a homosexual character, Gilbert, who is portrayed as somewhat ineffectual compared to the more vibrant lead, Nellie, played by Hylda Baker. McMenamin likened Nellie to a Chaplin-like figure and noted her tendency to deliver humorous malapropisms. The latter show, dominated by Wendy Craig, was thought to contain themes that aimed more at adults, yet it came across as lacking freshness and was too simplistic for adult viewers while still being appealing to younger audiences. Additionally, he offered a negative assessment of the sole American entry, “Mister Roberts,” deeming it unworthy of further discussion due to its poor quality. McMenamin concluded that while British comedies have faced criticism for their themes, there is still an audience for these shows, especially as they continue to explore everyday situations, albeit sometimes in a manner that feels outdated or clichéd.
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