'Allo 'Allo... Classic sitcoms caused Brexit!
By Steve Sharp
They are classic comedies, famed for poking fun at both the British and our European neighbours.
But an academic writing in a new book is claiming that sitcoms such as ‘Allo’ ‘Allo, Dad's Army and Fawlty Towers provide a way to make sense of the political attitudes that prompted Brexit.
University of Birmingham historian Professor Gavin Schaffer has contributed a chapter to the book “British Humour and the Second World War. Keep Smiling Through.”
In it, he suggests British people's ambivalence towards Europe and their wish to be different from the continent is portrayed in these shows. He argues that ‘Allo ‘Allo in particular, reflected some of the thinking that lay behind the decision of some British people to back Brexit.
It starred Gordon Kaye as Rene Artois, a French cafe owner, who reluctantly becomes involved in the resistance.
Among the characters was an undercover Englishman whose failed attempts at a French accent were part of the shows running gags.
Professor Schaffer said many Britons took ‘Allo ‘Allo to their hearts as it presented a light-hearted reflection of European differences and ultimately spoke to the core differences between Britain and her European neighbours.
He argues in the book that while ‘Allo ‘Allo can be seen as an attempt to bury the Germanophobia of the Second World War and work through the European trauma it cost, it also highlighted how different people in Britain felt from other Europeans.
Dad’s Army is more direct in its portrayal of the war, and mistrust of just about anyone not British.
Professor Schaffer also points out that Fawlty Towers’ most well-known scene treats the relationship between Britain and Europe as the elephant in the room.
In the 1970’s there were 132 listed British sitcoms, some familiar favourites, some I have never heard of, and some which would be unbroadcastable today due to racism, sexism, and child abuse!
“Till death us do part.”
“It Ain’t Half Hot Mum”
“Love Thy Neighbour”
“Whack-O.”
From the 1980’s to the 2010’s it increased from 143 to 172 sitcoms but this decade so far there have only been 54. Are we losing our sense of humour or is that just how the maths works?
Someone who can rightly claim some responsibility for Brexit is losing his sense of humour. Nigel Farage.
He claims he has been dumped by royal bankers Coutts for his political views rather than the fact that he no longer has the requisite three million quid in his account.
It seems no other bank will touch him with a barge pole which may force him to quit Britain altogether.
Oh, the irony.
Steve