Review: Not so much offensive as offensively unfunny

The second episode of Citizen Khan wasn't so much offensive to the Muslim community as to anyone with a sense of humour or, indeed, half a brain.

Citizen Khan - Episode 1.2 review

There are some good gags in this show, don't get me wrong, but they genuinely are few and far between.

There are several problems with this show, chief amongst them being what on Earth I can say which hasn't been said already in the past week.

For those who have not seen this show, the series revolves around a British-Pakistani family from Sparkhill, Birmingham. The head of the family, Mr Khan (Adil Ray, who also co-writes the series), a pompous community leader trying to control his family in his own way as well as the local Muslim population. Part of his problems comes from the new Mosque manager, a British-born convert called Dave (Kris Marshall).

Following the broadcast of this first episode, it seems that just about no-one likes it. There are reports of at least 700 people complaining to the BBC claiming the show is guilty of racist stereotyping. Meanwhile the critics have been attacking the series for being old fashioned.

Speaking as someone who knows very little about the Muslim community (I even learnt a little bit about Islam during this opening episode) I am not in position to say if it's racist or not. However, I can give an opinion on how funny or unfunny it is. Given that it's a studio sitcom with a live audience it's no surprise the critics don't like it. Having watched it, the thing that sprung to mind was trying to compare it with similar shows. With his pompous, domineering nature to me Mr Khan shares similar traits to Hyacinth Bucket from Keeping up Appearances, which was one of my favourite comedies as a child.

However, some of the gags were just so predictable. When you saw him in the Mosque with a microphone who just knew he was going to say (on indeed sing) something stupid into it, unaware that he was broadcasting from a minaret.

In the end it'll come down to the public vote, so to speak, and Citizen Khan will probably be axed. It's for the best, really...

More hijinks from Sparkhill, Birmingham, "capital of British Pakistan". This week, bumptious community leader Mr Khan (co-writer Adil Ray) plans a networking meeting with local businessmen. First, however, he must take his 80-year-old mother-in-law on a predictably fraught shopping trip. As per, the show combines old-fashioned sitcom pratfalls with telling satire: "I'm not an immigrant!" blusters Khan. "Immigrants are eastern Europeans, coming over here and taking the jobs from Pakistanis."

Citizen Khan't: A UK-born Pakistani Muslim comic's view

I am a British-born Pakistani Muslim and I did not enjoy this show. It's not because I found it offensive, but just because it wasn't very funny unfortunately.

Citizen Khan: how did Twitter react?

We're only one episode into Citizen Khan, the BBC's Asian sitcom, and already the knives are out. Is it racist - or simply unfunny? Or will it defy the critics and be a hit? Let's see what the online world made of it all.

Citizen Khan star defends show following 700 complaints

Adil Ray, the creator of the new BBC One sitcom Citizen Khan - about a Muslim family in Birmingham - has defended the show after more than 700 viewers complained.

Citizen Khan may face Ofcom investigation

Debut of BBC1 sitcom about an Asian family prompted complaints that it stereotypes Muslims and insults Islam.

Citizen Khan: who was offended by it, and why?

The Muslim sitcom supposedly generated a lot of controversy - but do bloggers and tweeters represent all viewers?

Citizen Khan is the BBC's latest sitcom, and features the adventures of the opinionated, self-appointed community leader Mr Khan (Adil Ray). It's about time the Pakistani community in the "capital of British Pakistan" got some quality exposure and some laughs.

On the basis of this first episode, sadly they'll have to wait. Generalisations about house-proud culture, obsessive business ideology, tight-fisted patriarchs, and even honour killings? I thought comedy was beyond cheap gags and stereotypes these days.