James Buckley reveals why The Inbetweeners wouldn't work on TV today

Have we all become so politically correct in 2018 that we are automatically offended by jokes that are just a little offensive or risque?

That's what former Inbetweeners actor James Buckley thinks, especially if the British high school comedy would have been launched today.

Speaking to Digital Spy, the 31-year-old believes that some of the jokes from the hit show, most of which revolved about those awkward teenage moments, wouldn't have gone down well in the present.

I think that when The Inbetweeners was around, everyone understood the context - that they were kids.

There used to be a sympathy, where you could almost forgive them because you can't really have a go at someone for being stupid – that's not really their fault.

Nowadays, it feels very black and white with comedy.

There's no in-between, it's just, 'This person said this on television – isn't that terrible?' and it's killing comedy, because you're not allowed to joke about anything, it seems.

There seems to be a joke police, nowadays.

Buckley, who played the character of Jay Cartwright, an individual best known for his lies and bragging about anything, added that the status quo of being offended by anything would have killed the show were it to debut today.

It seems to be cool at the moment to be offended by stuff, and that's a shame.

It seems to be in vogue at the moment, and I'm hoping it will pass, because I do think that possibly people would maybe be more offended by.

The Inbetweeners ran from 2008 to 2010, spawned two feature-length movies and even won a BAFTA, so it's possible that folks wouldn't be offended.

Although there isn't a direct show to compare The Inbetweeners to, the likes of South Parkand Saturday Night Livestill produce material that is still funny but borders on the verge of being controversial.

However, there could be some logic to what Buckley has said as this year has seen the likes of The Simpsons, Friends and American Piehave all been retrospectively criticised for racism, sexism and transphobia.

Seeking a bit more of a consensus on his opinion, Buckley asked his followers what they thought:

HT Digital Spy

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