Episode 3 of 3

Wednesday 16 June 9.00-10.00pm BBC FOUR

From the rude explosions of the Sixties to the controversies of today, this history of a naughty nation concludes its look at the traditions of British bawdy and lewd humour.

Rude Britannia explains how a tradition of rude cartooning came back to life as cartoonists in the programme draw the iconic political figures of the last 50 years. Gerald Scarfe captures Harold Macmillan, Steve Bell sketches Margaret Thatcher and Martin Rowson portrays Tony Blair.

The rude comic art of Viz is also revealed in the bawdy and lewd characters of Sid The Sexist and the Fat Slags.

The rude theatre of Joe Orton, the innuendo-packed radio of Round The Horne and the hippy rudeness of underground magazine Oz are also investigated, along with the history of rude television, from Till Death Us Do Part via Spitting Image to Little Britain.

Rude Britannia looks at the ways that such comedy began to be seen as offensive in new ways – sexist and racist.