One reason for the dearth of decent sit-coms is we are now regimented by the thought police and are in fear of being considered politically incorrect.

Till Death Us Do Part, Steptoe And Son, Rising Damp and The Rag Trade all contained characters who said what they thought.

We didn't necessarily agree with them but we all knew them or somebody very close to them and could therefore relate to the characters.

When did you last hear, even in a pub, let alone on the radio or television, somebody beginning a joke starting with: There was an Englishman, a Scotsman, an Irishman and a Jew?

Dare I finish the joke? Better not, however funny or innocent it might be.

-Bonzil Slatcher, The Drive, Hove