McPhail and Gadsby

Press, 15 July 1980, Page 16

McPhail and Gadsby

Sir, — Regarding the McPhail and Gadsby episode, I for one personally found this programme witty and cleverly written, but then I could "be called prejudiced, being an atheist. Yet when I think about it, “Stars on Sunday” offends me because of my disbeliefs, but perhaps I know the secret. One gets out of one’s chair and switches the knob; lo and behold a miracle — you see and hear nothing to offend. I think perhaps the outcry just might be linked to the scriptwriters and producer being a Kiwi; after all Dave Allen has been doing it for years. Let’s take a light hearted look at ourselves and lauuh. — Yours, etc.. (Ms) JOAN M. THOMAS. July 12, 1980.

Sir, — The sound on our telly was on the blink on Friday night but I was glad to see the confrontation between Bob Lowe and David McPhail, I guessed over “Open Pulpit.” It is about time someone questioned the spectacle of a corpulent vicar amongst rich fat cats acting as though they know something about God that fellows like Barry Crump, Trevor Richards and others do not. That programme, in my opinion is very close to obscene. — Yours, etc., GEORGE SWEET. July 12, 1980. ,

Sir, _ How refreshing it was to enjoy McPhail and Gadsby’s mirthful monologue with whimsical portrayal of life’s miserable _ realities, sanctimonious beliefs and customs. How relaxing and refreshing to watch and listen to light-hearted entertainment. More mirth and merriment on TV is a must instead of the constant stream of death, disease, destruction, divorce, depression and. dying princesses. A lot more love, laughter and ludicrous lampoonery would be welcome amid the advertisements and adversities. — Yours, etc., JOHN QUIRKE. July 12, 1980.

Sir, — How sad that Canon Bob Lowe did not watch McPhail and Gadsby on religion. I suggest that he should try to see a screening of the programme then read his own book: “That’s me without the tie.” In chapter 12 he says of David McPhail — “who was a genuine funny man.” Later, when telling of his first TV programme, “As I See it, among some of the letters he received from viewers were, “Eighteen in blue ballpoint and unsigned said that we were blaspheming and would go to Hell.” How about McPhail and Gadsby using some of the material from the book to make, another programme, especially the visit to New York — Chapter 13, mention of the Salvation Army — Chapter 12. and the Canon commenting at a nudists’ gathering that he did not know that their leader had such a large agenda. The. book and box are similar. — Yours, etc.. VALERIE M. WRIGHT. July 11, 1980. Sir, — Even the most casual student of history cannot help but be appalled by the atrocities committed in the name of Christianity. Consider, for example, the misery caused by the numerous religious wars, the Spanish Inquisition, the conquests of Mexico and Peru, the perecution of the Jews and the forceable conversion of numerous native peoples by over-zealous missionaries. And yet. in spite of all this and much more, our Christian community takes exception when a little fun is poked at them. Was it not Dr Geiringer who stated to

Canon Loyve on “Open Pulpit” that the more devout a Christian becomes the fewer Christian virtues he display’s? Is there anyone who displays less of the Chris-' tian virtue of toleration than a bigoted Christian? — Yours, etc., J. TAYLOR. July 12, 1980.