Sedate 1980s comedy is slapped with trigger warning at start of episodes leaving fans furious
OH crikey! Fans of sedate 1980s sitcom Terry and June have hit out after TV bosses added trigger warnings.
Online viewers are told they must prepare for “discriminatory language of the period”.
But several defended the “incredibly mild” family show — with one saying: “The trigger warning must be about Terry’s polyester slacks.”
Another reckoned: “It must be the episode where the vicar’s trousers fell down when he called round to collect things for the church fête.”
Stars Terry Scott and June Whitfield played a married middle-class couple, above, in Purley, Surrey.
Episodes typically saw daft misunderstandings leading to farcical situations for his pompous and incompetent character, and his understanding but long-suffering wife.
Trigger warnings have been added to online digital subscription service BritBox, founded by BBC Studios and ITV.
In one episode Terry responded to someone singing with: “Last time I heard screeching like that was when I accidentally vacuumed the cat.”
It is thought BritBox bosses feared that animal lovers may be offended.
In another scene Terry’s boss is in Native American fancy dress, with accent and stereotypical mannerisms.
And another episode was deemed to be concerning because he had “controversial views” about Zimbabwe.
Terry and June ran for 65 episodes over nine series from 1979 to 1987.
BritBox said: “Programming that contains potentially sensitive language has carried appropriate warnings since our launch.
“We regularly re-examine our historical programming in order to review, re-label, provide context and ensure the right guidance is in place for viewers.”