M.P. demands apology after B.B. C. send-up

Press, 4 February 1982, Page 6

M.P. demands apology after B.B. C. send-up

NZPA London The stars of 8.8. C. TV’s comedy programme, “Not the Nine O’Clock News,” have defended the controversial sketches that caused uproar among some viewers on Tuesday. Pamela Stephenson said she thought the item that suggested that the Princess of Wales was suing a contraceptive firm was a great joke. The pretty blonde N.Z.born star said: “I believe Princess Di has a terrific sense of humour and I can, imagine her chortling away at it. I don’t think it lacked taste. The worst thing about it was that it gave publicity to Durex.”

Miss Stephenson, posing as a newsreader on the programme, said: “A key witness for the prosecution took the stand today in the case of the Crown versus Durex.”

The next clip of film showed the Princess with the Bible in her hand.

The 8.8. C. reported that scores of people , had phoned to protest. Buckingham Palace said: “On a matter of taste, like this we would prefer not to comment.”

Commenting on other sketches on the Polish situation, Miss Stephenson went on: “A lot of people missed the point of the Polish jokes. We were attacking the Americans, who have been making jokes about the Poles for years,” She added: “We were very supportive of the Poles. We’re sorry about the situation they are in.”

In one sketch, two Poles were shown breaking into a bank. They ignored gems and cash but stole a half-eaten apple and a chicken drumstick.

Another item poked fun at the United States Government’s “Let Poland Be Poland” TV spectacular. President Reagan was impersonated mispronouncing Lech Walesa’s name.

Miss Stephenson said: “The show is satirical and, through making fun of the food shortages, we also pointed out the problems the Poles face.” She said the “Not the Nine O’Clock News” team had dropped one Polish script which was “shallow, shabby and cheap.” It was of an interview by her with a Polish worker who was only interested in black market

Abba records and chatting her up.

“What we did in the end was a bitter reminder of what is happening in the country,” she said. The “Daily Mail” said that 200 viewers protested to the 8.8. C. about- the Polish sketches.

Mel Smith said: “The jokes were all funny. We have no regrets and we will not apologise. The bank sketch was less defensible than the other two, but I do not think it was in bad taste.” Earlier, a Tory member of Parliament said he would call on the Home Secretary (Mr William Whitelaw) to take action and demanded an apology to the Polish people by the governors of the 8.8. C.

Mr John Carlisle, Conservative member for Luton West, said: “This is the lowest form of broadcasting imaginable. Many people have worked very hard in this country to help the Poles and now the 8.8. C. has sunk to these depths to make fun of the situation.” Mr Carlisle, who did not see the programme, described it as a “national disgrace.”