BBC blasted for ‘SNOWFLAKE’ decision to slap trigger warning on Michael Palin travel series for bizarre reason

The BBC has added a trigger warning to an episode of Michael Palin’s iconic 1989 travel series Around the World in 80 Days.

The warning, which appears on BBC iPlayer, alerts viewers that the episode “contains upsetting scenes”.

The scene in question features Palin, now 81, sampling a traditional meal in Guangzhou, China. Viewers witness a snake being beheaded and skinned by a chef before being served to the Monty Python star.

“I don’t really like seeing what I’m going to eat first,” Palin says to his companion as the live snakes are presented to him before cooking but after tasting the dish, he remarks: “That’s great. It’s lovely.”

This decision by the BBC has sparked controversy, with critics questioning the necessity of such warnings for travel documentaries that often showcase diverse cultural practices.

The BBC’s decision to add trigger warnings has extended beyond traditional uses for potentially harmful content like violence or strong language.

Such advisories are now being applied to classic comedies and, in this case, a travel documentary.

Typically, these warnings are reserved for material containing graphic images, sexual behaviour, or offensive language, with stricter guidelines for content aimed at under-18s.

The expansion of trigger warnings to include scenes from travel shows has raised eyebrows among critics. They argue that viewers of such programmes expect to encounter “weird and wonderful things from the other side of the world”.

This move by the BBC reflects a growing trend among broadcasters and streaming services to provide content warnings across a broader range of programming.

The decision to add the warning has drawn criticism from several quarters. Conservative MP Sir Alec Shelbrooke expressed his frustration to The Sun, stating: “These things happen around the world, yet the BBC says ‘you better not watch that, it might upset you’.

“This decision has been made by snowflakes in office with no experience of the world.”

Toby Young, head of the Free Speech Union, also weighed in on the matter. He told The Sun: “Surely viewers of Around the World in 80 Days tune in precisely so they can see weird and wonderful things from the other side of the world.”

Young went on to joke that popular reality show I’m A Celebrity might soon receive similar warnings for its well-known eating challenges.

These criticisms highlight concerns about the potential overuse of content warnings and their impact on viewer expectations for travel documentaries.

In response to the criticism, a BBC spokesperson defended the broadcaster’s decision. They stated: “Like other broadcasters and streaming services, we add guidance labels to some programmes on BBC iPlayer depending on the content.”

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The controversy surrounding this particular warning highlights the ongoing debate about the appropriate use and extent of content advisories in modern broadcasting.

As streaming platforms continue to evolve, the balance between providing viewer information and potentially over-cautioning audiences remains a topic of discussion in the media landscape.

In recent weeks, Great British Bake Off fans have questioned the introduction of a trigger warning on an old Halloween episode of the cooking contest.

Meanwhile, the likes of Dame Judi Dench have publicly criticised the use of trigger warnings on modern material.