Sex and the Sitcom, BBC Four

A high-class tele-essay explains why sexual frustration still underpins British comedy

by Jasper ReesTuesday, 29 March 2011

'Rising Damp': No sex for Mr Rigsby, he's a British sitcom character

Whatever you think of Friends, you have to concede it was good in the sack. If there were jokes to be had about sexual fantasy, sexual abandon and sexual incontinence, they were had. The one with free porn, the one with Rachel dressing as Princess Leia for Ross etc. The one area they avoided was sexual inhibition. It was all very refreshing, all very welcome, unless you happened to be watching with addicted youngish daughters. I was appalled at all the sex. No doubt this was a case of conditioning: in the sitcoms I grew up with sex was a dirty word. Naturally they were all British.

You couldn’t quite tell what Leslie Phillips regretted: the decline in moral standards, or that it didn’t happen on his watch

Buy

Find George and Mildred on Amazon

Explore topics

Share this article

The future of Arts Journalism

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

more TV

Paris Has Fallen, Prime Video review - Afghan war veteran wreaks a terrible vengeance Cynical politicians and amoral arms dealers feel the heat

Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, BBC One review - handsome finale for Hilary Mantel adaptation Mark Rylance is on top form as his Thomas Cromwell re-emerges after nine years

The Day of the Jackal, Sky Atlantic review - Frederick Forsyth's assassin gets a modern-day makeover Eddie Redmayne shoots to kill in lavish 10-part drama

Until I Kill You, ITV1 review - superb performances in a frustrating true-crime story Anna Maxwell Martin and Shaun Evans are compelling, but the script needs more ballast

Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Disney+ review - the Boss grows older defiantly Thom Zimny's film reels in 50 years of New Jersey's most famous export

Industry, BBC One review - bold, addictive saga about corporate culture now Third season of the tale of investment bankers reaches a satisfying climax

Rivals, Disney+ review - adultery, skulduggery and political incorrectness Back to the Eighties with Jilly Cooper's tales of the rich and infamous

Disclaimer, Apple TV+ review - a misfiring revenge saga from Alfonso Cuarón Odd casting and weak scripting aren't a temptation to keep watching

Ludwig, BBC One review - entertaining spin on the brainy detective formula David Mitchell is a perfect fit for this super-sleuth

The Hardacres, Channel 5 review - a fishy tale of upward mobility Will everyday saga of Yorkshire folk strike a popular note?

Joan, ITV1 review - the roller-coaster career of a 1980s jewel thief Brilliant performance by Sophie Turner as 'The Godmother'

The Penguin, Sky Atlantic review - power, corruption, lies and prosthetics Colin Farrell makes a beast of himself in Batman spin-off

Follow @theartsdesk