Political satire on television is dying while audiences are distracted by the “bread and circuses” of the Great British Bake Off, the comedian Rory Bremner has said.
Bremner, the comedian, said “bland politicians”, “supine commissioners” and “the descent into farce of the British establishment” has seen the demise of innovative satire.
Arguing the modern world required more “analysis and insight than ever”, he said audiences are instead being fed a diet of inoffensive reality television that kept them distracted.
He told Prospect magazine: “It’s harder to take politics seriously, to understand the issues, than it is to drown it all in a sea of scorn.
“And while the world cries out for greater analysis and insight, we are distracted by bread and circuses, aka the Great British Bake-Off and Tumble.
“We should rediscover our tradition of satire. Of speaking truth unto power. Or, at least, blowing raspberries unto it. It’s a question of political will.
“Can we do it in time for the next election? Yes, we can.”
Comparing television today with that of 30 years ago, Bremner there are few programmes regularly satirising the establishment.
In an article discussing “Who killed satire?”, published in the October issue of the magazine, Bremner said: “Well, in true Agatha Christie style, I suggest there are a number of suspects.
“Bland politicians, events and characters beyond parody, supine commissioners, the descent into farce of the British establishment and the end of deference.
“The shift in power from politicians towards corporations, universal cynicism and disengagement from politics – the speed and ubiquity of social media, the death of irony and, of course, ourselves with our own habits and choices.”
He added there were still copious targets in public life, but that they were less obvious, more elusive, more complex and opaque”.
Bremner also condemned the current crop of politicians, with many ministers “unrecognisable” compared with figures such as Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, John Prescott, Ken Clarke, John Major and Michael Heseltine.
Saying the BBC and ITV were failing to commission new satire because they are “nervous of causing offence,” he suggested the comedy cynicism of his generation was now moving into different medium
“Everyone is a satirist these days,” he said. “The airwaves and newspaper columns are awash with cynical characterisations of politicians, Twitter and other social media full of abuse of public figures, posted in real time.”
The issue of Prospect magazine is out now.
