Mitchell and Webb Return with New Show, Address Cancel Culture

The iconic comedy duo of David Mitchell and Robert Webb has made their long-anticipated return to television with a new Channel 4 sketch show titled Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping. After a fifteen-year hiatus, the pair has launched this six-part series, which features guest appearances from both established and emerging comedy talents, including Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Lara Ricote, Stevie Martin, and Krystal Evans.

The series revisits the comedic style that made Mitchell and Webb household names, parodying notable media events, such as Prince Andrew’s controversial 2019 interview. The show also offers fresh spoofs of everyday life, all while catering to long-time fans of their earlier work, particularly That Mitchell and Webb Look.

In the lead-up to the series premiere, the Daily Express conducted interviews with Smith-Bynoe and Evans, focusing on their experiences in comedy during the current climate of cancel culture. Evans, who began her comedy career at the age of 30 and has previously starred in the sitcom Scot Squad, expressed her views on navigating sensitive topics in comedy.

She stated, “I think it’s not actually as hard as people maybe make it out to be to not punch down and not be offensive.” Evans emphasized the importance of established comedians like Mitchell and Webb, noting that their reputation allows for a more nuanced approach to comedy. She added, “For me, as a comedian, there’s such a huge array of a joke that could be considered bullying versus a joke that could be considered highlighting an issue or something.”

Evans shared her perspective on using personal experiences in her comedy, explaining, “When I make fun of stuff I’ve been through in the past… it actually feels kind of comforting to make fun of something; it’s almost like you’re taking the power back from that thing.” She highlighted the significance of including diverse voices in the writing process, stating, “One of the key things is literally just involving the people that you’re maybe talking about.”

Kiell Smith-Bynoe, who began his career creating skits on YouTube and has since appeared in popular shows like BBC’s Ghosts and Taskmaster, echoed Evans’ sentiments. He remarked on the importance of having voices from the relevant communities in the creative process. “If you feel that unsure about it, you probably shouldn’t go there,” he advised.

However, he also maintained that comedy has the potential to tackle challenging subjects: “If something is that funny and if it’s done in the right way, I think any topic could be spoken about in the right way. I don’t think there’s anything that’s completely off-limits as long as it’s spoken about with nuance and understanding.”

Evans added that audience reactions can vary significantly, stating, “Just because one person got offended by it, that doesn’t mean that everybody is going to be offended.”

As the comedy landscape continues to evolve, the return of Mitchell and Webb, along with the new perspectives brought by rising stars like Smith-Bynoe and Evans, promises to provide audiences with a blend of humor that is both reflective and engaging. The new series is set to capture the essence of the duo’s distinct comedic style while addressing contemporary issues in the world of comedy.