London School of Economics - Comedy of disgust

The television comedy Little Britain largely panders to prejudice and hatred, according to a new academic study. Research from the London School of Economics argues that the majority of characters in the sketch show - from teenage "chav" mum Vicky Pollard to gay Daffyd - are stereotypes produced from a sense of disgust at people of a different class, sexuality, race or gender. LSE researcher Deborah Finding said that far from being ironic or "alternative" comedy, Little Britain has more in common with Bernard Manning than the generation of subversive comedians who followed in his wake.