Essay Plan

"No more lesbian jam. I can't keep it down" How does 'Little Britain' provide humour without offending people and why in this way?

• Introduction- includes a summary of my study about the phonomenon that the show has created but the way its context has been taken on by the public. (by targeting groups of people, individuals may not take it to be offensive!)
• Start with the institution (BBC) and show the representations of them as a PSB etc. Then discuss the affects of the show and its reflections of the institution.
• Audiences of the show can then be analysed considering the channel and who would watch and why. Put an analysis on the viewers and show identifications with the characters i the show e.g. the only gay in the village, Vicky Pollard, Emily Howard and Margery.
• Consider the characters and their appeals but discuss the reasons the show is successful through using obvious stereotypes.
• How do the audience view the show? From what/ hows point of view are they watching these generalisaed stereotypes?
• Discuss the institutions links to the show again and how it supports the shows content even though the BBC's main aims are not to entertain but inform and educate.
• Other examples that can be related to the show that were successful e.g. the 2 Ronnies (sketchshow) but how have times changed in terms of SHEP to provide the public with the content of the show we see today.
• Linking to the point about what the public sees on television today, consider the characters on the show and who plays them. Two middle-class, white men who make stereotypes about disabled people, homosexuals and mostly women. Could the popularity of the show be to do with the misogyny in a patriachal society?
• Development of the comedy genre from Tommy Cooper to 'Little Britain'. The influence of black comedy in the show to represent real life experiences and saying what people really think. Link to black comedy shows like Eddie Murphy: 'Dilerious' and 'Raw' and their links to views of gay people etc.
• Through the aid of a possiblre black comedy genre, do the represneted groups see the represtnations as offensive, especially women.
• The shows possible values and beliefs about people in Britain. Quote something from the creators Matt Lucas and David Walliams. Do they believe the representations of the characters they mimic?
• The show has rached in millions over the last three years, why?
• Conclusion on whether the show could be deemed offensive or a masterpiece of television genius.