BBC Removes ‘Fawlty Towers’ Episode Over “Racial Slurs”

“The Germans” has come off BBC Studios-owned UKTV’s streaming service over offensive language used by one of the show’s characters.

An episode of vintage Brit comedy Fawlty Towers has been removed from the streaming service of BBC Studios-owned UKTV over “racial slurs.”

The episode in question — originally broadcast in 1975 and called The Germans — is renowned for featuring John Cleese’s deeply awkward and rude hotel owner demanding that his staff “don’t mention the war” around German guests, culminating in him doing a goose-stepping impersonation of Adolf Hitler. However, it also features a character, the elderly Major Gowen, using highly-offensive and racist language about the West Indies cricket team. The BBC removed this element from repeat transmissions in 2013, but UKTV was airing the unedited version.

“UKTV has temporarily removed an episode of Fawlty Towers ‘The Germans’ from [UKTV network] Gold’s Box Set. The episode contains racial slurs so we are taking the episode down while we review it,” said a UKTV representative. “We regularly review older content to ensure it meets audience expectations and are particularly aware of the impact of outdated language. Some shows carry warnings and others are edited. We want to take time to consider our options for this episode.”

The decision — which follows a number of shows taken off air as platforms and networks have been reassessing what is considered acceptable in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests around the world — has become a source of contention on both sides of the argument. Some have suggested it merely shifts the focus away from the real points and aims of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Cleese himself called the decision “stupid.” Speaking to The Age newspaper in Australia, he said the episode was a critique of racist attitudes.

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