- Music
- 02 Jan 15
Rubberbandits, who know a thing or three about Irish history, have defended Channel 4’s decision to parody the Famine with upcoming comedy, Hungry.
It’s being penned by 31-year-old Dubliner Hugh Travers, a former UCLA film graduate who was previously responsible for Lambo, a fictionalised account of 1987’s (in)famous Gerry Ryan storm in a broadcasting teacup.
“To every Irish person getting offended that C4 have commissioned a sitcom about the famine; this is why Joyce and Beckett left the country,” the boys proffer.
Advertisement
The broader online response has been decidedly mixed with theatre man James Foran branding the show “Unbelievably crass and insensitive” and a change.org petition being launched which states, “Famine or genocide is no laughing matter, approximately one million Irish people died, and another two million were forced to emigrate because they were starving. Any programme on this isssue would have to be of serious historical countenance; not repeat not a comedy.”
The Rubberbandits have also highlighted the launch of a new Californian skateboarding line with the unfortunate name of IRA, which stands for Impact Reduction Apparel.
“We have no affiliation with ANY terror groups,” clarify the company who according to the ‘bandits have blocked them from their Twitter.