Monkey Dust - Abdul & Shafiq - TV Programmes

kaneant · 13-07-2005, 18:53

I suppose that after the bombs in London, we are to lose our beloved characters Abdul & Shafiq from Monkey Dust, the 'Tipton Taliban'.

I think sometimes Monkey Dust hits a little too close to home, and it will be interesting to see how the BBC proceeds.

For those who don't know, these characters are Muslim Brummie teenagers, fully integrated into British Society. As the central joke, the ideas of them engaging in extremism and bombing are contrasted with them coming home to support West Bromwich Albion and eating amongst other things Findus Crispy Pancakes, and Bernard Matthews Turkey Drummers.

All I can say is keep comedy controversial.

SlashNX · 13-07-2005, 19:35

When is this shown?? I havent seen this programme in AAGGEES

DiscoJulian · 13-07-2005, 20:38

I noticed the similarities too! I couldn't believe how close Monkey Dust was to the Police's (then current) theory.

Do you think the BBC would cut them from repeats too? I hope not, but it's quite a sensitive issue.

Steve Green · 13-07-2005, 21:32

Yeah, it's scarily close - I think it would be too difficult to cut them out, since they appeared in every show.

Usually the BBC Three showing got a repeat on BBC Two but with the recent events, I can only imagine it getting a repeat in the small hours when no-one's watching on BBC Three (if at all)

I guess it probably means a DVD release is unlikely as well, which is a shame since I worked on the last series.

- Steve

dubious1977 · 13-07-2005, 21:44

I would have thought that Abdul and Rafiq could be spun into a story of hope. At the end of the day the Baggies and their Mum's tea always won the day against terrorism.

13-07-2005, 21:45

I was thinking the exact same thing yesterday.

Let's hope the BBC keep the scenes in on future showings, because not being offensive first time round, then being offensive when shown after the attacks is silly.

MattCom · 13-07-2005, 22:47

The sketch were they try to telephone a warning to the county council was classic

Up Pompey!! · 13-07-2005, 22:53

another thing that might not be shown is
the episode of the thin blue line 'fire and terror'

also the racism/comedy legislation would be an end to the sketch

Charnham · 14-07-2005, 00:46

I hadnt thought about this, till I read this thread, but yeah you kind have a point.

its a shame really they were very funny, espically all the brand names being inculded.

might be interesting to see how they react to the events, rather than going out causing trouble, they stay into watch News24 instead.

HSX2004 · 19-07-2005, 20:29

I don't think there should be a need to change things. Yes, the people who suffered have a right to dignity and the episodes/sketches described may be a bit close to home - but itsn't freedom of speech a key thing? The views in a programme aren't always going to be the same as the BBCs - surely that should only really apply to the news and current affairs programmes?

Although thinking about it, in reality, it won't and some very memorable TV and ideas will be lost.

Channel Hopper · 20-07-2005, 00:44

This sketch really was one of the strokes of genius behind the series. Two kids (well their mum) that turned the tide of Al Quaeda attacking these shores with tea-time treats.

Probably the best British method for defeating the enemy (and confirming that paid 'intelligence' rarely has a clue).

Charnham · 20-07-2005, 00:49

yes the sketch, with MI5 was very funny

monkeymurderer · 20-07-2005, 10:38

I think Monkey Dust is hilarious but I don't find the Tipton Taliban and Noodles the Rabbit very funny at all...

VinnieMole · 21-07-2005, 21:57

There's much truth in that skit. Like the way the guy who comes round to recruit them for suicide missions is from a rich family (doesn't join in of course). I thought the one at the end of either the 1st or 2nd series was pretty near the knuckle, when the character walks into a busy shopping centre with explosives strapped to him. Now something has happened will that ever be shown again?

The one where they went to Iraq was fantastic, especially when all their mates from school were there in the army constantly getting blown up by the yanks.

Defairmans · 22-07-2005, 01:09

I thought about these guys not that long after the explosions on 7/7. It is very eerie.

Granny · 22-07-2005, 10:42

I agree with what's been said so far but, sensitivities aside, I think the gag had been pretty much played out by the end of the last series so there's probably no point continuing with it anyway.

13-07-2005, 18:53	#1
kaneant Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 10	Monkey Dust - Abdul & Shafiq I suppose that after the bombs in London, we are to lose our beloved characters Abdul & Shafiq from Monkey Dust, the 'Tipton Taliban'. I think sometimes Monkey Dust hits a little too close to home, and it will be interesting to see how the BBC proceeds. For those who don't know, these characters are Muslim Brummie teenagers, fully integrated into British Society. As the central joke, the ideas of them engaging in extremism and bombing are contrasted with them coming home to support West Bromwich Albion and eating amongst other things Findus Crispy Pancakes, and Bernard Matthews Turkey Drummers. All I can say is keep comedy controversial.

13-07-2005, 19:35	#2
SlashNX Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Services: Ntl family pack, ntl 128kb broadband, ps2 Posts: 3,086	When is this shown?? I havent seen this programme in AAGGEES

13-07-2005, 20:38	#3
DiscoJulian Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Services: Sky Digital/BT Internet Posts: 487	I noticed the similarities too! I couldn't believe how close Monkey Dust was to the Police's (then current) theory. Do you think the BBC would cut them from repeats too? I hope not, but it's quite a sensitive issue.

13-07-2005, 21:32	#4
Steve Green Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 201	Yeah, it's scarily close - I think it would be too difficult to cut them out, since they appeared in every show. Usually the BBC Three showing got a repeat on BBC Two but with the recent events, I can only imagine it getting a repeat in the small hours when no-one's watching on BBC Three (if at all) I guess it probably means a DVD release is unlikely as well, which is a shame since I worked on the last series. - Steve

13-07-2005, 21:44	#5
dubious1977 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 463	I would have thought that Abdul and Rafiq could be spun into a story of hope. At the end of the day the Baggies and their Mum's tea always won the day against terrorism.

13-07-2005, 21:45	#6
Anthony Haines Posts: n/a	I was thinking the exact same thing yesterday. Let's hope the BBC keep the scenes in on future showings, because not being offensive first time round, then being offensive when shown after the attacks is silly.

13-07-2005, 22:47	#7
MattCom Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,742	The sketch were they try to telephone a warning to the county council was classic

13-07-2005, 22:53	#8
Up Pompey!! Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hampshire Posts: 4,347	another thing that might not be shown is the episode of the thin blue line 'fire and terror' also the racism/comedy legislation would be an end to the sketch

14-07-2005, 00:46	#9
Charnham Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: nr Peterborough, England Services: regenerating into wamdue Posts: 17,358	I hadnt thought about this, till I read this thread, but yeah you kind have a point. its a shame really they were very funny, espically all the brand names being inculded. might be interesting to see how they react to the events, rather than going out causing trouble, they stay into watch News24 instead.

19-07-2005, 20:29	#10
HSX2004 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Leeds, UK Services: Freeserve, no sorry Wanadoo, no sorry Orange 8MB Broadband Posts: 1,684	I don't think there should be a need to change things. Yes, the people who suffered have a right to dignity and the episodes/sketches described may be a bit close to home - but itsn't freedom of speech a key thing? The views in a programme aren't always going to be the same as the BBCs - surely that should only really apply to the news and current affairs programmes? Although thinking about it, in reality, it won't and some very memorable TV and ideas will be lost.

20-07-2005, 00:44	#11
Channel Hopper Inactive Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Pergatory, it be near Croydon Services: BT 500 Plug and Go, and BIG bastard motorised dish Posts: 15,504	This sketch really was one of the strokes of genius behind the series. Two kids (well their mum) that turned the tide of Al Quaeda attacking these shores with tea-time treats. Probably the best British method for defeating the enemy (and confirming that paid 'intelligence' rarely has a clue).

20-07-2005, 00:49	#12
Charnham Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: nr Peterborough, England Services: regenerating into wamdue Posts: 17,358	yes the sketch, with MI5 was very funny

20-07-2005, 10:38	#13
monkeymurderer Banned User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dundee Scotland Posts: 1,301	I think Monkey Dust is hilarious but I don't find the Tipton Taliban and Noodles the Rabbit very funny at all...

21-07-2005, 21:57	#14
VinnieMole Banned User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 313	There's much truth in that skit. Like the way the guy who comes round to recruit them for suicide missions is from a rich family (doesn't join in of course). I thought the one at the end of either the 1st or 2nd series was pretty near the knuckle, when the character walks into a busy shopping centre with explosives strapped to him. Now something has happened will that ever be shown again? The one where they went to Iraq was fantastic, especially when all their mates from school were there in the army constantly getting blown up by the yanks.

22-07-2005, 01:09	#15
Defairmans Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cambridgeshire Services: Sky+ HD, Sky Broadband Posts: 387	I thought about these guys not that long after the explosions on 7/7. It is very eerie.

22-07-2005, 10:42	#16
Granny Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Services: sky, blueyonder broadband Posts: 2,026	I agree with what's been said so far but, sensitivities aside, I think the gag had been pretty much played out by the end of the last series so there's probably no point continuing with it anyway.