While primarily somewhat simplistic situational comedy occasionally verging on slapstick or farce, Vince Powell's "Mind Your Language" should not be condemned lightly even by today's at times over-pedantic standards, let alone those at the time it was made (which is to say 1977-79). Surely, stereotypical presentations are present here, and certainly some individual jokes do even verge upon the sexist or even racist, but MYL was made primarily to demonstrate how different races, peoples and cultures could face a common challenge (the universally familiar one of learning a new language), and could overcome differences and cooperate harmoniously together in doing so. And the series carries that noble banner before it with quite tangible pride, no matter what.
In the above context, the stereotypes certainly present delight vastly more often than they shock or appall (which they rarely in fact do), while the overwhelming impression is one of a group of very nice people. A teacher-pupil scenario inevitably puts even the adult learner in a childlike circumstance, and here even slightly edgy or corruption-prone personalities assume a measure of innocence as they struggle with the English language, all the more so as the delightful Mr Brown (played by the late and lamented Barry Evans) mostly emerges as incorruptible and overridingly fair and decent in his teacher's role.
While the students are not above cheating each other, or working together to put one over on Mr Brown, there are regular occasions when all work together to pleasant effect, and the general impression is of people looking out for each other. This is not to say that divisions and conflicts do not emerge, and it is frequently the case here that short exchanges of maybe a few words or a couple of sentences do bring to life serious-ish, real-life cultural and cross-cultural issues. In the context, and in the safe and democratic surroundings, of a London night-school classroom ruled over by Mr Brown, these issues can be dealt with safely, fairly and peaceably to the benefit of all. And of course they represent a learning experience in respect of more than just the actually-incredibly-demanding language that is English.
MYL is actually more effective at this than the United Nations, and I'm not even joking...
But are they? A big question might be whether Mind Your Language is actually sweeter than it is funny (and it would be no worse for that, by the way); but, on the whole, we do find every possible linguistic pun or joke used mercilessly (leaving it as "ouch"-inducing as it may be funny); but there is also some visual humour, quite a bit of risqué stuff, and regular situation-based circumstances that are as reasonably chuckle-inducing as we might expect from comedic circumstances mainly confined to a single room...
In essence, it is unreasonable to expect the gentler side of British comedy to achieve much more than "Mind Your Language" does. Add that to the compelling amiability and warmth of the piece, and it's worth a nine from me any time!
In the above context, the stereotypes certainly present delight vastly more often than they shock or appall (which they rarely in fact do), while the overwhelming impression is one of a group of very nice people. A teacher-pupil scenario inevitably puts even the adult learner in a childlike circumstance, and here even slightly edgy or corruption-prone personalities assume a measure of innocence as they struggle with the English language, all the more so as the delightful Mr Brown (played by the late and lamented Barry Evans) mostly emerges as incorruptible and overridingly fair and decent in his teacher's role.
While the students are not above cheating each other, or working together to put one over on Mr Brown, there are regular occasions when all work together to pleasant effect, and the general impression is of people looking out for each other. This is not to say that divisions and conflicts do not emerge, and it is frequently the case here that short exchanges of maybe a few words or a couple of sentences do bring to life serious-ish, real-life cultural and cross-cultural issues. In the context, and in the safe and democratic surroundings, of a London night-school classroom ruled over by Mr Brown, these issues can be dealt with safely, fairly and peaceably to the benefit of all. And of course they represent a learning experience in respect of more than just the actually-incredibly-demanding language that is English.
MYL is actually more effective at this than the United Nations, and I'm not even joking...
But are they? A big question might be whether Mind Your Language is actually sweeter than it is funny (and it would be no worse for that, by the way); but, on the whole, we do find every possible linguistic pun or joke used mercilessly (leaving it as "ouch"-inducing as it may be funny); but there is also some visual humour, quite a bit of risqué stuff, and regular situation-based circumstances that are as reasonably chuckle-inducing as we might expect from comedic circumstances mainly confined to a single room...
In essence, it is unreasonable to expect the gentler side of British comedy to achieve much more than "Mind Your Language" does. Add that to the compelling amiability and warmth of the piece, and it's worth a nine from me any time!