The iconic BBC sitcom *Allo Allo! is a beloved classic, but comedian Ross Noble believes it would not be made today.
According to him, the portrayal of Nazis in a comedic light would not be accepted by today’s audience.
He thinks people would find it difficult to laugh at such a serious topic, pointing out that the way the show used Nazis for humor would not “fly” now.
The Charm of *Allo Allo! in the 1980s and 90s
The show, which ran from 1982 to 1992, was set during Nazi-occupied France in World War II and featured a hilarious and often absurd cast of characters.
From the bumbling Nazi officers to the feisty secretary Helga Geerhart, the show was filled with memorable running gags that captured the hearts of viewers.
The central character, René Artois, played by the late Gordon Kaye, was a reluctant member of the French Resistance who ran a café.
Each episode followed René and his companions as they outwitted their German captors in often ridiculous ways.
Changing Attitudes Toward Nazi Comedy
Speaking on Rob Brydon’s podcast, Ross Noble discussed how attitudes toward the show have changed over the years.
While he acknowledges that *Allo Allo! made fun of the Gestapo and mocked the Nazis, he believes that in today’s climate, viewers would be uncomfortable with the portrayal of such characters as comical figures.
“I think now people would just go, ‘Woah, hang on a second.
We can’t have funny Nazis,'” he said.
Although Noble pointed out that the intent was to mock the Nazis rather than glorify them, he still thinks modern audiences would not accept the humor.
*Allo Allo! Still Popular, But Now with Warnings
While the show remains a classic, streaming platforms like Britbox have started including warnings before episodes.
These disclaimers caution that the content may offend some viewers due to its outdated language, attitudes, and the use of stereotypes.
The show’s sexual innuendo and foreign accents, particularly those of the French and German characters, are flagged as potentially offensive.
Despite this, *Allo Allo! continues to be a fan favorite, with catchphrases like “Good Moaning” from Officer Crabtree still widely used today.
The Legacy of *Allo Allo! and Gordon Kaye
The popularity of *Allo Allo! was undeniable in its prime, with the show inspiring a stage version and sparking rumors of a remake in the years following its end.
However, concerns over whether characters like Herr Flick, the Gestapo officer, could offend modern sensibilities have reportedly halted any potential reboot.
The death of Gordon Kaye in 2017 was met with an outpouring of tributes, as fans mourned the loss of the actor who brought René to life for so many years.
While *Allo Allo! might not be made in the same way today, its legacy continues to live on in the hearts of its fans.
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