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7/7 families are incensed over terror sitcom on YouTube
Miranda Bryant05.08.09
Victims of the 7/7 bombings and their families have told of their outrage at a new comedy series that pokes fun at aspiring terrorists.
The series, called Living With The Infidels, is based around a Bradford-based group of Muslims planning a suicide bombing like the attacks that struck London in 2005. They dream of wiping out Bradford with a chemical weapon so that they can all go to paradise.
The man behind the series due to be launched on YouTube this month is former advertising executive Aasaf Ainapore. He admitted that TV channels were uneasy about screening it.
Veronica Cassidy, whose 22-year-old son Ciaran died in the explosion at Russell Square on the Piccadilly line, said she was incensed. She added: "Who is going to find it humorous? I don't know where they get their laughs from. "
Mrs Cassidy said of the producers: "If that's what they have to do to sell something, I feel sorry for them. If it happened to one of their children, would they be as keen to put something like this on YouTube?"
Jill Tyrell, who was seriously injured in the Piccadilly line bombing, said: "There's nothing really comedic about terrorism."
The five-episode series features plot lines such as a jihadi warrior inventing a lead-lined codpiece to protect himself in the event of a suicide bomb so that he will be ready for the 72 virgins awaiting him.
Characters in the series also film their own suicide video.
Reader views (5)
This is nothing new - 'Monkey Dust' had an ongoing sketch about a couple of incompetent would-be suicide bombers who supported West Bromwich Albion.
And I think turning Islamic terrorists into objects of ridicule, to be laughed at rather than feared, is an excellent idea.
I plan on watching it, and it looks like I'm the only one reserving judgement on whether or not it's funny until I do.
- Craig Cripps, Greenwich, UK
Disgusted.
People really died, people really suffered and go on suffering. Whereas no one will really laugh at this drivel!
- Andrew Chan, Essex Innit mate.
'Allo 'Allo anyone?
- Mark, South-East London
If they are incensed then I would suggest they don't watch. Of course it is in bad taste - most humour is. Not everyone has had losses from the same causes, so where does the censor's cut get made? Everyone will have their own (personalised) perspective on that.
Ridiculing terrorists, by the way, is a good way of diminishing their illusions.
Cue ranters....
- Rogan, Irving
Just another example of the moronic rubbish that pollutes the internet.
- Blue Baby, London
