Yes I am an old prude.

I was a member of an Am Dram group about 20 years ago and we were putting on a production of Michael Frayn's "Noises Off" There was a lot of debate about the fact that the F word was used once in the third act. We weren't sure what our usual audience would think of it. It brought the house down at every performance! Used just the once, when it wasn't expected, was very funny. Used any more it would have been coarse and boring.

hello NanKate Totally agree with you and I'm not a prude either. Don't ever want to have to worry about a programme's content during the day when grandchildren might be about.

Gee! I thought when I typed hello the next word would be in Bold, i.e. NanKate. Ah well - what do I know!!

Hello to you Angmhay thanks for your supportive words.

I have found it heartening that so many of you have similar views and from this moment I am officially not an old prude.

Loved Billy Connolly on TV years ago and went to see him live at a local leisure centre where the seats were on staging. He was not funny at all and when the f.....g and c.....g really p....d me off I ordered DH up out of his seat mid performance, clambered over knees and laps and as a parting shot fell down the steps. I was mortified.

15 minute bits on Radio 4 today: 9.45, 10.45, 12, 1.45, 2, 2.15, 7.45, 10.45. Forgot the 2nd bloody Archers at 7. Helen's always been the most obnoxious character in Ambridge. I hope Rob batters her to death.

I read the book back in the day and it certainly is of its time. Heard a few extracts on WH. Wasn't riveted by it but honestly can't imagine why anyone of my sort of age was shocked.

Also it is rather daft IMO to say that radio is different from a book because it 'comes into your living room'. It is totally under your control. You can switch it off, just as you can close - or never open - a book. And there were plenty of warnings to give anyone who wished the opportunity to switch off.

So ,yes, OP I do think you are a prude, but it's your right to be one. Live and let live.
Am a bit surprised at how much support there is for your views on this thread but I only visit GN occasionally as I generally feel happier on MN. ( and in any case a lot of the posts are on a completely different subject from the original, ie, use of swear words in comedy).

PS must just query why watermeadow objects to a dramatisation of Jane Eyre, which was what was on R4 at 10,45 today...

Can't work out how a book like Jane Eyre can be condensed into one hour and a quarter. They have only just met and it's Thursday already. ps love that book. Is Rob playing Mr Rochester?

I understand watermeadow's complaint. R4 is giving more and more time to 15 minute programmes. Either long series (like the current 50 Great Indians) with 15 minute snippets each day, or drama. Each day there are generally three different books being read/dramatised in 15 minute snippets (9.45,10.45 and 22.45) plus the Archers (twice!). Not to mention several other snippety 15 minute programmes.

I gave up on any book dramatisations on either on radio or television quite some years ago. War and Peace being reduced to ... was it six episodes or four must be rock bottom. No, perhaps the Bible, old and new testament. in 20 15 minute episodes?

I think Jane Eyre is being dramatised over 2 weeks.

That makes sense MOnica

Billy Connoly, is a very sad man. He has a wonderful sense of humour, and can be very funny. That is, until he starts with the foul language, and jokes about bodily functions. Then I switch him off. I wouldn't invite a friend into my home, and allow him to use such language, in front of my wife and children. I'm not a prude, and can use bad language, when in the appropriate company. Never in front of women and children.