The Green Book (BBC): Difference between revisions
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'''The Green Book''' is the common name of the '''BBC Variety Programmes Policy Guide For Writers and Producers''', a booklet of guidelines issued by the [[British Broadcasting Corporation]] to |
'''The Green Book''' is the common name of the '''BBC Variety Programmes Policy Guide For Writers and Producers''', a booklet of guidelines issued by the [[British Broadcasting Corporation]] in 1949 to the producers and writers of its [[comedy]] programmes. It detailed what was then permissible as comedy material, but its bureaucratic tone and outlandish strictures caused great amusement in the comedy world at the time.{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}} Most of its content is now completely out of date. It was a confidential document and was kept under lock and key. The executive responsible was the then Head of Variety, [[Michael Standing (BBC Producer)|Michael Standing]], although it contained a large amount of material previously issued, in the preceding years, in memo form. |
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The full text was published in the book ''[[Laughter in the Air]]'' by [[Barry Took]] with the BBC’s permission in 1976.<ref>{{Cite book |
The full text was published in the book ''[[Laughter in the Air]]'' by [[Barry Took]] with the BBC’s permission in 1976.<ref>{{Cite book |
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Revision as of 22:46, 13 May 2013
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2009) |
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The Green Book is the common name of the BBC Variety Programmes Policy Guide For Writers and Producers, a booklet of guidelines issued by the British Broadcasting Corporation in 1949 to the producers and writers of its comedy programmes. It detailed what was then permissible as comedy material, but its bureaucratic tone and outlandish strictures caused great amusement in the comedy world at the time.[citation needed] Most of its content is now completely out of date. It was a confidential document and was kept under lock and key. The executive responsible was the then Head of Variety, Michael Standing, although it contained a large amount of material previously issued, in the preceding years, in memo form.
The full text was published in the book Laughter in the Air by Barry Took with the BBC’s permission in 1976.[1] It has since been put on sale by the BBC itself.
Among things banned were jokes about lavatories, effeminacy in men, immorality of any kind, suggestive references to honeymoon couples, chambermaids, fig-leaves, ladies' underwear (e.g. ‘winter draws on’), lodgers and commercial travellers and the vulgar use of words such as ‘basket’.[2]
Caution had to be taken with jokes about drink, with not too many in any programme. Also to be avoided were derogatory references to solicitors, commercial travellers, miners and ‘the working class’. Banned too was any reference to The McGillycuddy of the Reeks, or jokes about his name, in response to past complaints.
While the word ‘niggers’ was banned, the phrase ‘Nigger Minstrels’ was still tolerated. The document also advises that: "Extreme care should be taken in dealing with references to or jokes about pre-natal influences (e.g. His mother was frightened by a donkey)"[2]
It has been observed that if these rules had been strictly followed, a great many of the BBC's many successful comedy shows since such as Beyond our Ken, Till Death Us Do Part, Steptoe and Son would never have been aired.[citation needed]
Further reading
- "How radio comedy changed a nation". BBC. 2008-10-17. Retrieved 2010-07-23.
- Stewart, Graham (2008-11-01). "When the BBC banned baskets and fig leaves". London: The Sunday Times. Retrieved 2010-07-23.[dead link]
References
- ^ Took, Barry (1976). Laughter in the Air. London: Robson Books / BBC. ISBN 0903895781.
- ^ a b BBC Variety Programmes Policy Guide 1949 | ...and gazuky