BBC removes 11 Mitchell and Webb sketches from iPlayer that no longer ‘work today’

BBC confirms the removal of sketches on iPlayer due to censorship

That Mitchell and Webb Look ran for four seasons between 2006 and 2010, sprawling absurd comedy sketches that have caught the eyes and laughter of many Brits.

The duo rose to prominence on their Channel 4 sitcom, Peep Show, but also remain remembered for their earlier skits.

The show found a new revival on iPlayer, celebrating its 20th anniversary, you can find all of the duo’s sketches on the platform, except for 11 of them.

"This is a 20-year-old sketch show; in consultation with the programme makers, we have included the ones that still work today and not the ones that don't,” said a BBC spokesperson.

One of the sketches included the pair satirising racism while doing black face, which has understandably been cut from the selection.

Other episodes included jokes about Jimmy Savile, a sketch of a makeover show with a contestant wearing a burka, and another with a ‘tribe’ living in a garden centre.

The BBC’s censorship of itself has been questioned by fellow comedian Dom Joly, of Trigger Happy TV.

"I totally get it if the BBC is putting out something really racist, which is laughing at and encouraging other people to feel that it's OK to do that,” said Joly.

"But it's so clear that Mitchell and Webb are not doing that. Their intent was not to be racist."

Co-founder of Hat Trick Productions which airs Have I Got News For You, Jimmy Mulville on the other hand understands that the BBC is in an “impossible position”.

However, Mitchell and Webb aren’t the first to have their work removed or edited, with other comedians having gone through the same issues. 

Matt Lucas and David Williams’ Little Britain was previously removed from iPlayer and Netflix after objections resurfaced on some characters’ background.

Nevertheless, you can now find the remainder of Mitchell and Webb’s videography on iPlayer.