Dennis without the menace is a bad idea, says Beano illustrator
Beano illustrator Kev F Sutherland says the new, wimpy version of Dennis The Menace is a "bad idea" by the BBC.
The classic comic tearaway has been turned into a softie by politically correct TV bosses worried he might set a bad example to children.
They have banned the black-haired bully from using his trusty catapult, water pistol and pea shooter in the new cartoon series which starts on CBBC next month.
Dennis is no longer allowed to pick on geeky Walter, and his famous dog Gnasher will no longer be biting anyone.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
Writer and illustrator Mr Sutherland, who lives in Clevedon, said: "I think it's probably a bad idea but you cannot do anything about it. I think perhaps they could have targeted a slightly older audience with the cartoon.
"You can do humour and sophisticated comedy without scaring the horses.
"If you pander too much to over-sensitive parents you will end with not very funny comedy."
Mr Sutherland, who is also a stand-up comedian and caricaturist, tours the country giving comic art masterclasses in schools.
Speaking from the Edinburgh Festival – where the 47-year-old is performing his Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre – he said: "I find, particularly with the kids who do my masterclasses, when you ask them to draw a comic strip the first thing they come up with is violence – a cathartic aggressive release.
"They will draw something blowing up, for example. But kids are not stupid and if they are treated like that they will not like it.
"Tom and Jerry is a perfect example. Kids understand it is violence contained in a cartoon world. The Simpsons is the same. Homer strangles Bart numerous times but you don't find kids strangling other kids who have spiky yellow hair."
Mr Sutherland says Beano bosses have no plans to tone down the antics of one of their most popular characters, for it is his mischievousness that has made him a favourite with comic book readers for decades.
And Mr Sutherland is no stranger to coming up with violent or scary storylines himself. His latest works for the Beano include creating the Bash Street Werewolves and Bash Street Zombies. And the last time he drew Dennis The Menace was for the Beano Annual 2009, when he featured in his Roger the Dodger story-line called Reservoir Dodge – a take on the Quentin Tarantino gangster movie.
In 1999, Mr Sutherland organised Britain's first ever comic festival in Bristol, which he continued to run until 2004.
The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre will be at the Hen and Chicken in Bedminster in October.
For more information on Kev F Sutherland, visit www.comicfestival.co.uk
Comments
by Chloe (aged 10 ), Bristol
Wednesday, August 19 2009, 11:46AM
“I think this is absolutly mad Dennis without the menace will lose his place in the Beano without him the Beano wont be so funny any more”
by Shelly, Bristol
Sunday, August 16 2009, 9:58PM
“It really makes me laugh. The BBC is more concerned with cartoon violence than the stuff it portrays in it's dramas. Even Casualty (a supposed 'family' show) is not immune!
If the BBC want to cut the amount of violence on screen I suggest it starts with some of it's other shows and leaves kids cartoons alone.
If the Beeb can't tell the difference between cartoon slapstick and proper violence then I suggest that the current shower make way for the Dennis the Menace target audience because they certainly do!”
by clive, south-glos
Sunday, August 16 2009, 5:53PM
“yes i agree with the last comments 110% the do gooders have spoilt it for everyone”
by Spartacus, Bristol
Sunday, August 16 2009, 1:20PM
“It's health & safety gone mad!”
by Xavier, Bristol
Sunday, August 16 2009, 12:21PM
“Totally agree with this man. When will the BBC stop employing Guardian reading socialist luvvies who pander to the weakest and wooly of the middle classes? The world has gone man. Yes, there should be some degree of political correctness in a civilised society so people with disabilities, from different ethnic groups, different sexual orientation are not prejudiced against and abused but these white, middle class, limp wristed, pathetic ones ban Dennis from being naughty, re-name Christmas, put so much red tape on the ashton court festival it doesnt exist anymore generally ruin everything for all.
What sort of generation are we going to have next? There was a woman, Helen, I think who never takes an eye off her kids- in their own back garden. Another one thinking pedophiles were round every corner (never mind killer snakes). Who is to blame for this culture. The media plus small brains and overly cautious personality makes for a bad mix.
I love learning new things. I enjoy it more now than when I was at school. However there is a saying ignorance is bliss and perhaps that is right. If people werent inflicted by dumb and unreasonable media then they would probably be happier as people and bring up more rounded and capable children.”