Comic Relief fancies itself as the gutsy charity comedy extravaganza that dares to uncover destitution abroad and poverty at home while encouraging the general public to donate wads of cash to help out. Yet now it is revealed that the supposedly cutting-edge comic institution has axed Jade Goody from this year’s proceedings, which are due to take place in two weeks’ time. Why? Because Goody has become persona non grata since her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother last month, and Comic Relief can’t be seen rubbing shoulders with such a person or giving her any more air time.
Goody had already recorded a spoof version of A Question of Sport for Comic Relief. Yet organisers say it will not be shown because “Red Nose Day is all about raising money and anything that could potentially detract from this is not helpful.” Following her bullying of Shilpa Shetty on CBB, when she referred to the Bollywood actress as ‘Shilpa Poppadom’ and described her as a ‘liar and fake’, Goody has been hounded by politicians and commentators. She has been described as a blight on modern Britain, bringing shame on the nation with her vile words and bad behaviour. Recently, Goody revealed that she no longer knows what is acceptable speech when talking about ethnic minorities, and constantly worries about whether she is being ‘accidentally offensive’.
Goody’s story shows what happens when we leap upon people’s words – whether they are part of an unthinking outburst or just a stern sentence or two – and demand that they apologise for them/withdraw them/promise never to say them again. In Goody’s case, it has given rise to an individual who doesn’t know what she can and cannot say, and to authorities who take the safe bet of just not allowing her near our TV screens. We end up self-editing ourselves, and to be on the safe side the authorities edit us, too.
Brendan O’Neill
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