Channel 4 are banning the episode of ’The IT Crowd’ ‘The Speech’, bowing to the demands of the same ideological extremists who send death and rape threats to JK Rowling. A week or so ago, I got a letter from Channel 4 telling me they were taking the episode down as part of a wider effort of ‘cleaning house’ of ideologically incorrect content.
I've just emailed to following to the general complaints address, to Chief Exec, Alex Mahon, and Director of Programmes, Ian Katz.
Dear Channel 4,
I understand you are removing the IT Crowd episode “The Speech” from your schedule and I write to protest this ridiculous and cowardly decision in the very strongest terms.
Firstly, The IT Crowd is unique, brilliant and perfectly crafted and the series deserves to be broadcast in its entirety. It is hugely disingenuous and hypocritical to pull this episode under the pretence of ‘house cleaning’ while so many others comedies with far greater cause to be deemed ‘offensive’ remain untouched.
You are enabling a co-ordinated harassment campaign against the series writer, Graham Linehan, which has nothing whatsoever to do with his work. By removing the episode in question, you are caving into bullies and allowing activists to influence your policy. This sets a dangerous precedent.
The Channel 4 statement that trans people are more susceptible to violence than anyone else is not supported by the statistics; trans people are one of the safest demographics in the UK.
Furthermore, you suggest that the position of trans people in society is “Vulnerable and some way from being legitimised”. That is hardly borne out by your pulling an episode from one of the best and most successful comedy series your channel has ever produced after a handful of insincere complaints, is it?! I cannot think of any other social group with such influence and power.
On a more general note, I am alarmed to see you’re allowing a particular ideology to dictate your output. This sort of mob-led censorship has no place in any sector of the arts, but particularly not in comedy.
I admire your integrity on this, and completely agree. This is a ban based on religious, ideological grounds, helping in part to exert complete control over the lives of non-believers.
First Troubled blood was Transphobic and now this. Good response Graham, Absolutely practical and no NonSense style. Even if they come begging to You in the future, when self ID is officially in bin & the law is "enacted", ask them to F off and record it. Vindictive pleasure.
I first watched this and I was laughing till I was crying. But you know what? I had real empathy with Rachel. Before this episode I barely thought about trans people in all honesty and I just followed the sheep.
I felt sad for her, when she's standing in front of Douglas, saying I'm a woman! It was a real sad moment. I know it was comedy, but I think you, matt and the actress (who I think was brilliant btw, sorry i don't know her name) acted it out well.
I don't think many people took Douglas's side in that.
Its such a shame tra's and trans people take a negative from it rather than appreciate that people probably didn't agree with Douglas.
We that is unfortunate--that ep was one of the best ones and really demonstrated how bigotry can hurt ppl. Have the good people at Channel 4 seen the episode, or have they thrown it in a pile with Troubled Blood and other artifacts that they cannot face but must condemn?
Watched this episode, groaned all the way through, Americans aren't built for British comedy. Actually loved April and Douglas' relationship, there was nothing transphobic about it; it's a comedic take on something that happens far too often thanks to internalized homophobia and the world's lack of acceptance & I like to think in an alternate timeline Douglas says sod it all and finds his true love.
I've just emailed to following to the general complaints address, to Chief Exec, Alex Mahon, and Director of Programmes, Ian Katz.
Dear Channel 4,
I understand you are removing the IT Crowd episode “The Speech” from your schedule and I write to protest this ridiculous and cowardly decision in the very strongest terms.
Firstly, The IT Crowd is unique, brilliant and perfectly crafted and the series deserves to be broadcast in its entirety. It is hugely disingenuous and hypocritical to pull this episode under the pretence of ‘house cleaning’ while so many others comedies with far greater cause to be deemed ‘offensive’ remain untouched.
You are enabling a co-ordinated harassment campaign against the series writer, Graham Linehan, which has nothing whatsoever to do with his work. By removing the episode in question, you are caving into bullies and allowing activists to influence your policy. This sets a dangerous precedent.
The Channel 4 statement that trans people are more susceptible to violence than anyone else is not supported by the statistics; trans people are one of the safest demographics in the UK.
Furthermore, you suggest that the position of trans people in society is “Vulnerable and some way from being legitimised”. That is hardly borne out by your pulling an episode from one of the best and most successful comedy series your channel has ever produced after a handful of insincere complaints, is it?! I cannot think of any other social group with such influence and power.
On a more general note, I am alarmed to see you’re allowing a particular ideology to dictate your output. This sort of mob-led censorship has no place in any sector of the arts, but particularly not in comedy.
Yours etc.
I should say also, thank you, Daily Glinner gang, for tracking down those other examples.
This is an absolute disgrace. For so many reasons. I'm going to let channel 4 know what I think of this terrible, spineless, stupid decision.
https://www.channel4.com/4viewers/contact-us
I haven’t watched Ch4 since the last series of Stath Lets Flats. I have no idea what they show any more.
Get everything on Netflix, if they aren’t already. Let Ch4 and others censor themselves to irrelevance.
I admire your integrity on this, and completely agree. This is a ban based on religious, ideological grounds, helping in part to exert complete control over the lives of non-believers.
First Troubled blood was Transphobic and now this. Good response Graham, Absolutely practical and no NonSense style. Even if they come begging to You in the future, when self ID is officially in bin & the law is "enacted", ask them to F off and record it. Vindictive pleasure.
Your response is great. Channel 4 are bowing to the mob. What cowardly custards. How despicable.
Everything is transphobic now Ted. Including facts and females.
Channel 4 are clearly spineless and disingenuous.
I first watched this and I was laughing till I was crying. But you know what? I had real empathy with Rachel. Before this episode I barely thought about trans people in all honesty and I just followed the sheep.
I felt sad for her, when she's standing in front of Douglas, saying I'm a woman! It was a real sad moment. I know it was comedy, but I think you, matt and the actress (who I think was brilliant btw, sorry i don't know her name) acted it out well.
I don't think many people took Douglas's side in that.
Its such a shame tra's and trans people take a negative from it rather than appreciate that people probably didn't agree with Douglas.
WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIEEEE!!
(sorry to hear this - spineless folk at C4)
Pathetic if not surprising that C4 caved in to pressure. Good letter in reply sir 👍
Anyway "The Speech" is still available on Daily Motion so ner ner to them 😈
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3un4bz
We that is unfortunate--that ep was one of the best ones and really demonstrated how bigotry can hurt ppl. Have the good people at Channel 4 seen the episode, or have they thrown it in a pile with Troubled Blood and other artifacts that they cannot face but must condemn?
Wow. Another one of those unbelievable but totally believable moments. I’ll be writing to them as well. Spineless morons.
Transwomen are, in fact, men
Watched this episode, groaned all the way through, Americans aren't built for British comedy. Actually loved April and Douglas' relationship, there was nothing transphobic about it; it's a comedic take on something that happens far too often thanks to internalized homophobia and the world's lack of acceptance & I like to think in an alternate timeline Douglas says sod it all and finds his true love.