The satirical comedy series hosted by Nish Kumar has been axed after four series
Despite being responsible for several viral moments since it hit our screens, the BBC have clearly decided that it is surplus to requirements. But it is no understatement to say that few of the broadcaster’s shows sparked as much conversation and reaction as the Mash Report did.
Fronted by Nish Kumar and featuring regular appearances from a whole host of other comedians, including right-wing comic Geoff Norcott, the show gathered a loyal following. Its format of short sketches and segments meant that many of the shows clips proved popular on social media. The most famous of these is probably this one from Rachel Parris, entitled How Not To Sexually Harass Someone.
The news has sparked plenty of reaction on Twitter. The show often got a huge amount of hate from the Union-Jack-in-the-bio brigade, and the likes of Laurence Fox have tweeted gleefully about the show’s axing.
But the ludicrous hypocrisy and irony of this has not been lost on most people. Those that are revelling in the Mash Report’s departure from our screens are also those who will scream and shout about how cancel culture is silencing right wing voices, and many have also noted how one of the only shows that dared to openly criticise and satirise the government has now been taken off our screens.
The Mash Report, a comedy program critical of the government has been axed by the state broadcaster, reportedly for political reasons, and at the behest of a director general appointed by the government. Finally, a stone cold example of what 'cancel culture' looks like.
— James O'Brien (@mrjamesob) March 12, 2021
While the right scream about being cancelled from all their newspaper columns and on TV shows and soon on their new TV channels, the Mash Report, a show that dared to satirise the government is actually cancelled.
A true democracy doesn't cancel satire.
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) March 12, 2021
The BBC have said that the show has been cancelled “in order to make room for new comedy shows.”
The broadcaster said: “We are very proud of The Mash Report but in order to make room for new comedy shows we sometimes have to make difficult decisions and it won’t be returning.
“We would like to thank all those involved in four brilliant series and hope to work with Nish Kumar, Rachel Parris and the team in the future.”
Whether you were a fan of the show or not, it is difficult to argue against the fact that it was one of the few properly satirical shows that remained on the BBC, and we can only hope that this does not represent the start of a worrying trend for television.
