Beloved British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances has now joined the growing list of classic TV shows flagged for “offensive” content. Streaming service BritBox recently placed a content warning on the series, citing language and attitudes that may not align with today’s standards.

The warning comes after similar disclaimers were issued for other iconic sitcoms, including The Good Life, Dad’s Army, and Fawlty Towers. As broadcasters and streaming platforms review older programs through a modern lens, debates over censorship, historical context, and changing social norms continue to spark controversy.

Airing between 1990 and 1995, Keeping Up Appearances remains one of the most cherished British comedies. The series follows Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced “Bouquet,” according to her), a woman determined to climb the social ladder while battling constant embarrassment from her working-class family.

However, BritBox has now placed a viewer discretion warning on the series due to certain jokes that modern audiences may find offensive. One flagged moment involves Hyacinth describing a well-spoken man as “quent” and comparing him to a “£4 note.” In another episode, a Polish character becomes the subject of jokes questioning his right to be in the UK.

BritBox defended the decision, stating, “Programming on the service that contains potentially sensitive language or attitudes of their era has carried appropriate warnings since our launch in November 2019.” The disclaimer aims to provide context while allowing audiences to make their own viewing choices.

Keeping Up Appearances isn’t alone. Over the past few years, several other classic comedies have received similar treatment:

• The Good Life (1975–1978) was flagged for featuring an apron with a now-banned logo linked to racial controversy.
• Fawlty Towers faced edits after the BBC removed racist remarks made by Major Gowen, a character known for outdated and offensive views.
• Dad’s Army (1971 film) aired with a disclaimer due to a racially derogatory phrase used by British soldiers in reference to Sudanese warriors.
• Porridge, the 1970s prison sitcom, now carries a warning due to discriminatory language used in certain episodes.
• Blackadder (1983) was flagged over a racial slur used in its second episode.
• The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Royle Family also received warnings for outdated jokes and language.

Even The Muppet Show, a staple of family entertainment, was not spared. When Disney added five seasons to its streaming service in 2021, it included a disclaimer about “negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures.”

The trend of placing warnings on classic TV shows has sparked debate among fans, critics, and even some of the original creators. Defenders argue that these disclaimers do not remove content but provide necessary context, allowing audiences to watch with awareness of changing social attitudes.

The BBC, for instance, has stated that “attitudes and language change over time” and that their approach is to inform viewers rather than censor content entirely. Disney’s message regarding The Muppet Show reinforces this idea, stating that instead of removing content, they aim to “acknowledge its harmful impact” and “spark conversation.”

However, critics argue that applying modern sensitivities to decades-old programs risks erasing historical context. Actor John Cleese, who co-created Fawlty Towers, publicly condemned the BBC for editing out the Major’s racist remarks, pointing out that the show was mocking outdated views, not endorsing them.

Similarly, fans of Dad’s Army and Porridge have expressed frustration, claiming that warnings and edits are unnecessary and that audiences should be trusted to understand historical context without corporate intervention.

As streaming platforms continue to review older content, it remains unclear how far these changes will go. Shows like Little Britain, which featured controversial portrayals of race and disability, have already been removed entirely from BBC iPlayer and other platforms, signaling that some content may not simply receive a warning—it may disappear altogether.

For now, classic sitcoms like Keeping Up Appearances remain available, but their content comes with an advisory. Whether this trend continues or sparks a backlash remains to be seen.