Mind Your Language

Mind Your Language might not have been smart comedy, but it was good comedy – with the misunderstandings stemming from a valid observation of differing cultures. The idea was not dissimilar from other sitcoms of this time such as Robin's Nest: a small matter, concealed, becomes a major matter after 15 minutes. Throw in the xenophobia of Britain after it joined the EEC and what we had was a very fine comedy about the country's relationship with her former colonies and the new Johnny Foreigners across the channel.

If anything, the students got the last laugh – if it had not been the narrow-mindedness of characters such as stiff-upper-lip principal Miss Courtenay, or teacher Jeremy Brown finding himself out of his depth, then the joke wouldn't be on them.

It's a pity the political correctness brigade will probably prevent this show from being rerun. As a "minority", I never found the portrayal of my race offensive on this show when it aired in New Zealand. To the PC thugs, I say this: we minorities are OK without your defending us. The real insult is that you don't believe we are up to it.

This may not be in the league of Monty Python or some other classic British TV series out there but it definitely has it's own cult following. I noticed one reviewer here mentioning of the shows popularity in India and that's really true. My friends from India, who had watched this back in the 80's, still claim it to be amongst the best TV shows ever. Some of them went so far as taping them all (to save it for some good laughs on a rainy day, I guess!).

If you are looking for some profound depth here then don't even bother with this. But if you think the mixing of folks from different cultures, in a British classroom, can be funny then you won't be disappointed. It's good, harmless humor, a little dated perhaps, but in situations that people may encounter in a foreign land due to language barriers mainly. Some bits may be exaggerated but is mostly hilarious and does not use any of the plots or characters as a pretext to demean any culture or race!!!

Wish it were available on DVD in the States!

I use to watch this programme as a kid, it was hilarious. I'll never forget the catchy tune music too. I wish they'd repeat again here in New Zealand. But knowing my luck, the political correctness of TV these days won't show it. Even though they show some vile programmes full of nakedness and profanity, it's hypocritical.

I agree with "suavebloke", Hong Kong. In my opinion, this is not a racist series. I am enjoying the re-runs on Sky Satellite at the moment & it's a funny as ever. The late Barry Evans is excellent in the role of the teacher. I wonder what ever happened to the extremely attractive Francoise Pascal, who played the French student?

I used to watch this as a 10 year old kid. Not even knowing what rasism was I thought this was the greatest show ever. I guess I could relate to the characters trying to learn something new. They were almost like children in that classroom which made it really easy for someone of my age to find it ammusing. It's a shame that in these times of politcal correctness that it'll never be shown on Australian TV again. I don't even think its on pay TV. I doubt it. So heres to one of the best TV shows of its time. A laugh a minute. Nothing more. Nothing less.