Watching standup – not to mention telly comedy – affords plenty of opportunities to hear what Brits think of the Germans. No sense of humour, ruthlessly efficient, beach towels on the sun loungers, blah blah blah. Aside from Henning Wehn’s career and the occasional visit by Michael Mittermeier, we seldom hear what Germans think about Brits. Until now, as a clip of Germany’s version of The Daily Show on the possibility of a “Brexit” from the EU circulates online.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Watch a clip of the Heute-Show – video

I would say we don’t come out of it well, but first things first: it’s not clear that my fellow Scots and I come out of it at all. Throughout the seven-minute item, host Oliver Welke repeatedly conflates England and Britain – a confidence-boosting reminder that, to the rest of the world, Schottland (not to mention Walisien and Nordirland) might as well not exist. Buck up, Oliver! If I can tell the difference between Prussia and Germany, or Holland and the Netherlands, surely this distinction isn’t beyond you.



Satirically, Herr Welke is on surer ground. The gist of the piece is that the EU will be well rid of Britain, which doesn’t take its fair share of refugees (that’ll come as news to Nigel Farage), which is “slowing down the financial transaction tax” and which forever demands – and receives – special treatment from the European powers that be. This final point is made by means of a spoof board game that cheerfully plays into one of our stereotypes of the Germans. The German phrase for special treatment is “extra sausage”; the sketch heaves with wurst.



Henning Wehn review – German comedy ambassador’s devilish reception Read more

Beyond these justified protests at our lack of European solidarity, the item broadens into a general parade of anti-British stereotypes. We’re in hock to the glamour of our monarchy. We produce nothing except – long pause to think – chips with vinegar. Our historic specialities are “gardening, incest and black pudding for breakfast”. At a stretch, we might recognise ourselves in these caricatures – cringe, even, at the occasional closeness to the bone. Elsewhere, we’ll be mystified. I couldn’t fathom the big laugh that greeted an image of the UK as “planet of the island apes” until Google apprised me that “inselaffe” (island apes) is Germany’s longstanding pet name for their Anglo-Saxon cousins.

The whole item makes less impact as comedy (there’s one duff, old-school sexist Brits/tits gag) than as seemingly genuine antagonism. Welke and the studio audience really don’t seem to like the UK much, and it’s a glum thing to realise that all of us, internationalists and Little Englanders alike, have been tarred with the Eurosceptic brush. Of course, that’s what’s wrong with stereotypes: they’re crude generalisations and seldom complimentary; they reinforce divisions and shore up lazy thinking. Perhaps exposure to these boot-on-the-other-foot caricatures might make some UK comics pause before wheeling out national stereotypes in future. For fans of intelligent comedy, that really would be an extra sausage – but not one I’m expecting to taste anytime soon.

Three to see

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Sara Pascoe is one of the performers appearing at Jesterval. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Jesterval, Gateshead

The annual comedy festival, HQ’d in a marquee on the Gateshead quayside, returns with a lineup including Luisa Omielan, Sara Pascoe and local boy Chris Ramsey.

• 5-14 June.

Tommy Tiernan

A return to London’s Soho theatre after last year’s sell-out show by the wild-eyed comedy seer Tiernan, in advance of an autumn UK tour.

• At Soho theatre, London, 9-20 June.

Josie Long

Last performances of Long’s Cara Josephine, her most personal set and the best-reviewed comedy show at the 2014 Edinburgh fringe.

• At Purcell Rooms, London, 3 and 4 June.