So the world of BBC panel games has finally entered the 20th Century. Women don't just have the right to vote now, there is more good news. BBC Director of Television Danny Cohen has been quoted in the Observer as saying that "We're not going to have panel shows on any more with no women on them. You can't do that. It's not acceptable." Cohen has ruled that from now on there must be at least one female guest on every future panel show.
This sounds a bit like social engineering but it is a welcome response to the regular complaint that shows such as Mock The Week are overly male-dominated and little more than a testosterone-filled jungle where men go to strut around and show off their comedy plumage.
It will be interesting now to see how this decision will play out. Jo Brand, who has turned down the chance to appear on Mock The Week because of the male competitive edge, has pointed out that there are plenty of tough women who can take part in those shows and also plenty of softer men who don't feel comfortable on them. Women aren't nervous about appearing, given half a chance. It is the programme-makers who are nervous about booking them.
Although in theory this is fantastic and long overdue news, I'm not sure if I feel completely comfortable with it. I would like to see the funniest comedy panel shows, not the most gender-equal comedy panel shows. Does this mean that an available woman who is less funny than an available man will get a spot on Have I Got News For You?
Obviously if this policy uncovers some new talent that will be great. But then aren't TV producers trying to uncover new talent all the time anyway? I know that it sometimes feels as if they have David Mitchell and Lee Mack on speed dial, but various shows have already given breaks to the likes of Josie Long, Holly Walsh, Katherine Ryan and Bridget Christie among others. A rule from above has not been required to give them a chance to prove that they can make viewers laugh.
The BBC has made this decision in response to recommendations from governing body the BBC Trust and it sounds a little like political correct gone slightly daft. Apparently the current percentage of women on panel shows is about about 10%, which is not far off the number of women on the comedy circuit (though that is increasing). The best thing about this announcement is that it might mean we see some new faces on our TV screens. The fact that they might be women is almost incidental to me.
