Comic's gag was referred to TV watchdogs

It’s OK to make a joke about Prince Charles’s foreskin in a PG-rated programme, Australian TV watchdogs have ruled. 

The Australian Communications and Media Authority have been mulling the issue following a complaint about comedian Tom Gleeson.

On his show Hard Quiz, which airs on the public ABC channel at 8pm, the stand-up asked: ‘According to the character Vince in Pulp Fiction, what’s a quarter pounder with cheese called?’

The contestant answered correctly: 'Royale with cheese’

But Gleeson pointed out that actually the perception is not true. ’It’s called a Royal Cheese,’ he said, adding: ‘That’s what it’s actually called, which is what you also find under Prince Charles’s foreskin.’

One viewer complained that the line ‘overstepped standards’ and should have been cut.

But the broadcaster argued that viewers of the show would have been well aware of Gleeson’s ‘hard-nosed comedic style’ and said the gag was ‘justified by the programme’s established tone and approach.’

‘While they [the producers] considered the Prince Charles joke to be risqué, they felt [it was] nonetheless in keeping with the host’s distinctive character

And the watchdog agreed, ruling that the show did not breach guidelines on causing offence.

Published: 21 Feb 2018