The Melting Pot

This was the funniest, most politically incorrect pilot of a show I have ever seen... It skewered every ethnic stereotype, including a Scots-Arab and was way too risky for the TV to keep... I only hope someone out there can put it on "Youtube". Milligan was probably the least racist comedian on television... how could an Irishman born in India with an inherent disconnect with British Society fail to be able to point it all out... His Pakistani-Dalek family sketch was of the same cast... One of the funniest moments in "the Melting Pot" was when the recently arrived ethnic Indian at the boarding house watches as an Irish coal man (never too late to be a coal man) washes off his dark skin.

It's a great shame it's not available David

A Pakistani Father and son arrive in The UK illegally, posing as Dutchmen, namely Mr Van Gogh and Mr Rembrandt, the pair find the lodgings, and try to integrate into British society.

I hate to be the one to bring home a reality check, but there's a reason this pile of garbage wasn't transmitted, it's abysmal, once you look past the obvious prejudice and racism, you are left with something that's painfully unfunny.

I adore Spike Milligan and his madcap brand of humour, but this was possibly his worst effort, it makes Curry and Chips look good.

It's noticeable that Burt Kwouk vanishes from the series, and who can blame him, a role he probably thought would damage his future career, nobody would wish to he tarnished with this show.

There are several familiar faces, John Bluthal, Frank Carson and several others, but they're all wasted here, none of them can draw out a single laugh. The production values are diabolical, it looks so cheap.

I'm not someone that's easily offended, but after enduring all of the seven episodes, I honestly just came away thinking I'd wasted the best part of three hours.

3/10.

Offensive to - Black, Muslim, Irish, Jewish, Arabic, German Chinese, Australian, Gay, Disabled & Dwarfs.

Along with racist speak including the N word amongst other racist terms.

It's baffling how Spike Milligan and John Bird thought this would be a good idea especially in black face, more baffling is how the BBC filmed not only a pilot but then went back and commissioned a 6 episode series.

If you can find the series it's worth watching once to see how over the top it is and also there are some funny moments sprinkled throughout the episodes.

Stand up Comedian Frank Carson stands out as as fine comic actor which makes me wonder why he didn't appear in any other shows as he could clearly act and had great comic timing

If you liked the Q series you may find something here to amuse you as it is from the same writers and features many of the same cast apart from Spike himself.

It's never going to be broadcast nor will it see a dvd release but the series is still in existence and can be found on some collector and trading sites.