A Christmas special of Diane Morgan’s comedy Mandy was set to be one of the highlights of the festive TV season – but it has been suddenly pulled by the BBC amid speculation it may have mocked the man in the White House.
The Mandy Who Knew Too Much was set to be aired on Monday evening (December 22) but was unceremoniously axed by the Beeb this morning and is now due to go out in 12 months’ time.
The BBC has not given a reason for the move other than to say that it “wants to update” parts of the episode, which was recorded back in January. But as the episode revolves around global diplomacy it has inevitably sparked speculation it mocked Donald Trump, who has just launched a $10 billion libel action against the Corporation over doctored edits of a speech he gave in an episode of Panorama.
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The synopsis of the edit read: “Mandy rarely dabbles in global diplomacy, especially over Christmas when it’s so cold out and there’s good telly on, but when she does, you can bet that she makes a real difference to the balance of power in the world.”
It was due to go out at 10.25pm on Monday and is listed in Christmas TV magazines which have long been on sale. An airing of the 1988 film Beetlejuice, which was due to go out at 10.45pm, has now been brought forward to replace it.
Given that the episode has been with Beeb executives for nearly 12 months, its last-minute axing coincides with Trump’s legal action and it’s been kicked well into the long grass, it’s no wonder it’s sparked rumours about the sudden cold feet. One for Philomena Cunk, Morgan’s alter-ego, to probe?
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