Monty Python star goes on bizarre twitter rant over Scottish journalists
SATIRICAL comedy celebrity John Cleese ignited a social media storm of condemnation and comedy following weird remarks on the social background of Scottish journalists.
Cleese, whose career peaked decades ago during the success of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers, questioned why journalists from Scotland had senior jobs in the English media.
Why do we let half-educated tenement Scots run our English press ? Because their craving for social status makes them obedient retainers ? https://t.co/uCXEvbZssE
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) October 2, 2016
The insinuation that Scots in general were stupid and unwelcome down south led to some unhappy replies from SNP elected officials and fans of Cleese.
@JohnCleese @DavidPuckridge John I'm afraid your credibility is as alive as that Norwegian Blue. Woeful stuff!
— James Dornan SNP (@glasgowcathcart) October 2, 2016
Sad to see someone I used to admire slagging off Scotland. Goodbye Mr John Cleese, once a funny man. Not now. @JohnCleese @DavidPuckridge
— RadioGuyGlasgow (@RadioGuyGlasgow) October 2, 2016
@JohnCleese @DavidPuckridge I hope your happy that you've ruined any future viewing of my collection Python videos with this casual racism
— Kenny McLean (@Kenny4PartickW) October 2, 2016
Although, for many others Cleese’s late night comments were more of a laughing matter.
Weirdly, "half-educated tenement Scot" is my Tinder bio.
— Andrew Learmonth (@andrewlearmonth) October 2, 2016
Scots: Possil's pure Shite
Other Scots: Aye
Non Scots: Possil's a bit rough isn't it?
Scots: Fuck ye saying about Possil?— Riddle Like (@endless_psych) October 2, 2016
— alexmassie (@alexmassie) October 3, 2016
It was the writings of Fraser Nelson, brought up in Nairn and now the editor of The Spectator magazine, that Cleese was reacting to.
Nelson was nonplussed about the episode, stating “I can take all Twitter can throw at me.”
Picture courtesy of Acflynn
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