Don't mention the war! You might not get away with it

Last week it was announced John Cleese had finally relented and agreed to make a new series of Fawlty Towers. Hooray!

I loved this show as a kid. I loved Monty Python, even though the first time I watched most of their movies a lot of the humour went over my head. On second watch, many years later and when I was more worldly-wise, I enjoyed them even more. Life of Brian and Monty Python and the Holy Grail are two comedy classics – so silly you can’t help but laugh uproariously.

Many years later, I got to meet John Cleese and was his straight man during a handful of shows he performed in Canberra around a decade ago. They always warn you not to meet your heroes lest they leave you disappointed, but I enjoyed every minute of our time together.

Ten years ago, cancel culture was barely talked about. Few complained publicly about how inappropriate Fawlty Towers and the Monty Python movies might have been. The worst comments were along the lines of “you wouldn’t get away with that these days …”

And you wouldn’t.

Sure, Basil Fawlty and his team were risqué. Yes, some of the episodes pushed the envelope. But every episode also poked fun at the times. The English class system, religion, race – nothing was off limits.

Growing up on a farm in Western Australia, we only got one TV station – the ABC – and some of the British comedy series we watched, and laughed at, were far more problematic. It Ain’t Half Hot Mum and Love Thy Neighbour are two that spring readily to mind.

Last week’s announcement received the response I expected on social media.

Many were outraged and appalled that bringing a show like this back could even be contemplated. Cancel culture went into overdrive.

Those same folk who voiced their outrage are going to be even more offended when they see the new series. Word is, Basil Fawlty will have the ‘woke’ and cancel culture firmly in his sights.

For me, there is much from the “good old days” that needs to be consigned to the dustbin of history.

The two television shows I referred to earlier are good examples. But in our rush to shout down opponents and cancel any issue or person who offends our morality, we are running the risk of shutting down legitimate and very necessary debate on many key issues.

Already discussion about the Voice has outraged proponents and opponents. You don’t dare raise the issue of transgender, no matter what your views are unless you want a public berating. Award ceremonies, be they for music, film, books, whatever, are sure to be denigrated no matter what final decisions are made because there wasn’t an even balance of award recipients.

Those in the public eye, especially those who try to make us laugh, keep us informed, or keep us entertained, talk about the minefield they have to operate in these days.

Try being elected to make public policy.

In an interview I read with the US singer Pink on the weekend, she said, “these days, everyone wakes up offended”. She should know. She’s been the victim of some outrageous attacks over the years for daring to have a view on issues like abortion and gun control. But she doesn’t care.

And we can only hope that those elected to make decisions for us also stare down the haters and those who want to cancel debates before they even happen.

As Basil Fawlty once famously said: “Don’t mention the war. I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it.”

If only we could all be so lucky now.