The BBC has removed 11 sketches from the 20th-anniversary rerelease of That Mitchell and Webb Look on iPlayer, prompting criticism from culture-war commentators. The decision has reignited debate over whether controversial comedy should be contextualised with warnings or removed, particularly when it involves blackface, racial slurs or jokes about sensitive subjects.

The sketches include material involving Jimmy Savile, a depiction of Gandhi and two scenes featuring white characters in blackface, while one joke about Bill Oddie was also withdrawn on grounds of common decency. The article argues that, although some scenes were intended to satirise racism rather than promote it, the BBC may reasonably prioritise avoiding harm to audiences; however, it says the episodes should be clearly labelled as abridged so viewers understand that social attitudes and editorial standards have changed.