The final episode of Last of the Summer Wine airs on the BBC this week. Last of the Summer Wine pioneered a more rounded portrayal of older people in UK sitcoms, and it seems unlikely British television will produce anything of its ilk in the near future.
Most older people in British sitcoms are portrayed in accordance with a limited number of stereotypical (and negative) images of older people. Dad’s Army is one of the most successful and well-loved sitcoms of all time, precisely because its predominantly older characters are either grumpy or senile. For grumpy, think also of Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave, or Grandad in Only Fools and Horses. For senile, what about Uncle Albert, also from Only Fools and Horses, or Jack in Father Ted?
Older people also tend to be portrayed as a burden to their younger relatives – think of Nanna in the Royle Family. Likeable and deeply loved by her family – but the reason Nanna is a funny character is the way that her son-in-law responds to her various ailments and impositions. While Last of the Summer Wine’s character were frequently foolish – it is a caper comedy, after all – they were also very much full of life.
Most sitcoms, of course, do not feature older people. They are airbrushed out of the daily lives of the protagonists. Britain could probably learn something from the United States in this regard. Marty Crane in Frasier is not only retired but also disabled – but he remains a strong, positive character. He is, of course, grumpy, and very set in his ways. But he is also romantic, sarcastic, caring, and occasionally devious. In other words: complicated, and real.
Furthermore, in Frasier, the frosty relationship between the generations is based far more on personality than age. Quite different, in this regard, from Steptoe and Son, the closest British comparison.
Donning my TV critic hat, Last of the Summer Wine probably won’t be sadly missed – its heyday has long since passed. But for those of us interested in seeing older people portrayed more positively in the media, its demise is certainly regrettable.
Craig Berry
I agree absolutely. The situation is mirrored in advertising where older people are either ignored or patronised – some of the Spec Savers ads being a good example.
Whilst it’s fine to use age and its symptoms as the focus of humour it would be great to see some positive role models to balance the stereotyping. Jack Frost in a Touch of Frost was, I felt, the nearest we had to Frasier’s Marty – although he did seem to exist in somewhat of a bygone age (who these days wears a trilby?).
A programme that features some interesting and positive older characters in a work environment would surely do wonders for some of the barriers that exist to employing older workers.
The problem is no doubt linked partly to the age of the programme makers (certainly in respect of advertising). Even so, it shows a lack of insight when the over 50s are now the largest group of TV watchers.
Interesting points Diane. We are about to launch some work on older consumers with Age UK and will explore some of the issues about representation of older people in advertising.
I’m told by the ad industry however, that the specsavers (theme park) advert tests very well with many older people!
David Sinclair