How the young production team must have moistened themselves at footage from The Granny's Guide to the Modern World, of a vintage lady saying "fuck" to strangers, or a gent genuinely attempting to fathom the difference between "black" and "coloured". Which might have yielded interest, had not both the oldsters played it for laughs. I felt both sorry for and angry at Barry Humphries, who had agreed to front this as himself: he is always happier in another set of teeth or in a dress. I hate to say, it wasn't a pretty debut.

Three ancient darlings on swings in Amsterdam, having consumed enough maryjane to knock out the whole of Channel 4, wheeing to the skies and giggling like gals, almost saved this from ignominy. But didn't.

A Granny's Guide to the Modern World: review

Despite a combined age of 233, some space cake seems to do the trick, and they head off to play on the swings.

A Granny's Guide to the Modern World review

A photograph of every spirited Methuselah gently reminded us that they haven't always been old, nor have they lost their taste for mischief.

"We are the mature generation who grew up in that other world called the past." That sounds like a very sombre introduction but this is a jaunty, light-hearted programme, presented by Barry Humphries, which sends elderly people out into the world to engage with trendy, modern types to see if the auld yins can understand the young - and vice versa.

One elderly participant aged 94 says: "Well the problem I have is describing people who're not white. It's very difficult!" Another topic on which generations differ is swearing. A genteel old lady decides to investigate the matter, announcing, "Today I'm going to meet some builders."

An especially strange segment occurs later in the show when a trio of elderly women head to Amsterdam to get high and play on some swings.