'Do you have no respect for the dead?’

More than 100 people have complained about ‘extremely poor taste’ gags about Michael Jackson aired on Channel 4.

The company received 114 complaints about panel show 8 Out Of 10 Cats, and another 23 for the TNT Show.

On the panel show, Jimmy Carr joked that: ‘Michael Jackson's death hit me like Princess Diana death… I couldn't give a fuck’

While Sean Lock said that instead of putting the superstar’s body on display for fans, as had been suggested, they instead dangle it out of a hotel window.’

In another item about the Queen wanting more money, Carr said: ‘I think she should sell out 50 concert dates then fake her own death.’

Some fans expressed their disgust on the Maximum Jackson website, with one claiming: ‘They [the comedians] don't know the actual Michael Jackson that we know’

Other fans complaints, in their own words, are:

• ‘I dont know what has become of the world that we are so synical and ready to smash a person down.’
• ‘they should respect his passing, jimmy carl should be SHOT! because he really dont give a Fcku about anyone.’
• ‘who really care i dont and other stuff idiots.’

An episode of the TNT Show, hosted by Jack Whitehall and Holly Walsh, that aired on the night Jackson died was abruptly cut short because it contained jokes about the pop star. But the gags that did make it to air attracted viewer ire.

One voiced disgust at its ‘very harsh and rude’ gags, adding: ‘I’m horrified; do you have no respect for the dead?’

Despite the complaints, sister channel E4 has just commissioned a spoof Bo’Selecta biography of the king of pop, featuring Leigh Francis in a rubber Jacko mask.

Published: 6 Aug 2009