Should The Bbc Apologise Over The Prince Harry 'coke Joke'

[sp1814]

...or is he a legitimate target after the drugs revelations from a few years back (which reportedly were NOT coke-centred)?

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/oct/27/bbc-jo-brand-joke-prince-harry-cocaine

[jno]

mikey, there was no suggestion that they were prostitutes (not that it has anything to do with the case in hand).

They should have replaced him with Angus Deayton in the joke; he was in trouble over coke. But they are perhaps a little more cautious when it's one of their own.

[Gromit]

The papers have hinted at Harry having a liking for the White powder. The romp in his hotel room last year, several of his mates use it, Charles made him attend a drugs clinic.

So he is not wholly innocent.

Didn't think the pun was funny or clever. Hislop clearly believed it was defamatory hence is reference to the lawyers. Perhaps it was kept in because the Royals rarely sue.

The BBC need not to apologise. It was meant in jest and was not meant to be factual reporting. It is only outrageous if you believe it couldn't possibly be true and it was only funny if you believed it could be true. And if like me, you are not bothered either way, then in the great scheme of things it is unimportant.

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// I wonder if it were about a non-royal (Harry is unlikely to sue for slander) the joke would've gone through? ///

What such as a joke about a black person, a gay or a Muslim perhaps?

No way.

[anotheoldgit]

BBC's fault

The programme isn't live is it?

If it isn't then it should have been edited out,

[sandyRoe]

When Edward 8 was dallying with Mrs Simpson the press very helpfully edited out any reference to the fact in their columns. I hope we've moved on a bit since then.

[Gromit]

// What such as a joke about a black person, a gay or a Muslim perhaps? //

AOG

There is no race element to this joke or the story. Stop trying to change the question to your pet phobias.

[jomifl]

It was half a joke really unless somebody named 'Harry Snortsem' was present. :o)

[sp1814]

mallyr

Rumour has it (although I don't believe it was verified) that Jo Brand was one of the people present when Carole Thatcher referred to a French tennis player as a wollygog (AB's profanity filter will asterisk this out if I spell that word correctly!)

[sp1814]

AOG

Your race obsession sometimes gets a little boring when you drag it into discussions that have nothing whatsoever to do with race.

You are absolutely free to do so (obviously), but sometimes I would like to have other discussions.

[sandyRoe]

He was known as Harry Snortsem, by the Troopers that supportzem...
But, for all his foolish pranks,
He was worshipped in the ranks,
And the Colonel's daughter smiled on him as well.

Who knows, maybe that is his nickname and we were being let in on a private joke.

[sp1814]

Ah AOG...your second point...back on track.

The same issue was raised at Sachsgate...the Russell Brand/Jonathan Ross piece was pre-recorded and therefore should have been under strict editorial control.

So, AOG - you're saying that the joke should not have been aired?

I tend to agree, because I can't see the BBC allowing the same joke about any other celebrity who had not already been caught 'on the sniff'.

I mean, I could imagine coke jokes about Kate Moss, Pete Doherty, Liam Gallagher, Bruno Mars etc (all of whom have either been caught doing it, or have boasted about it). But not someone else who hasn't...

[jno]

yes, I agree with sp1814... and aog... well, there's a sentence I never thought I would write.

I thought pre-recording of programmes was done precisely to avoid problems like this and Russell Brand's from arising.

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

Just getting my valid point over that it seems quite in order to criticise (in this case a Royal) yet when it comes to certain others, there is a definite 'no-no' attached to it.

[anneasquith]

no,it was a joke!!!! are the royal family so precious ?

[jno]

I'd say just the opposite, aog: if you did make a joke about someone known to be a coke user it wouldn't matter in the least what religion or colour they were. It's making jokes about "all black people" or "all Muslims", as if all of them were the same, that easily becomes offensive.

[Gromit]

Jno

The lawyers are there to save the BBC money in the Courts. If it is known that the Royals are unlikely to sue, they may come to the conclusion that the alledged joke can stay in. Even if they realise a calumny has been used.

[jno]

Gromit, yes, I wasn't thinking of the lawyers so much as the programme editors whose job is to keep the BBC from becoming mired in pointless controversy.

However, they seem to have decided it was okay, probably because of the ludicrous overreaction from a Tory minister - if they'd backed down then, it would have looked like cowardice under pressure from a government loony.

[sp1814]

AOG

It's not a valid point, and you're trying to make this discussion about race.

You already raise copious questions about race and religion. Fine, but when we are trying to discuss something else, it's rather rude of you to attempt to steer the conversation towards your own particular hobby horse.

It's not like there aren't more than enough threads raised by you to cover every aspect of race and religion going.

[FredPuli43]

AOG, do you want to make a joke about someone who is Muslim or black? Go ahead. There are plenty of jokes about individuals who happen to be in one of the minorities, so you can add to them.

[anotheoldgit]

FredPuli43

/// AOG, do you want to make a joke about someone who is Muslim or black? Go ahead. There are plenty of jokes about individuals who happen to be in one of the minorities, so you can add to them. ///

Yes but that is the whole point that I am making, they are not allowed to be broadcast over the media, in fear of causing offence.