82 - Punch

Spencer in “Punch”, 7 May 1969

What is this? What is this? What the hell is this?
Well, actually it’s fairly obvious what this is.
It’s an effete chappy working in men’s toiletries, calling people sweetie. That’s what this is.
But is this the joke? Where’s the actual joke? Where’s the bloody spark of wit, innovation or even humour? This is an idea already ancient and decrepit to the point of needing life support.
But no, other than what might be a vague hint at culture clash between the salesperson and his customer, it doesn’t do anything. Barely 10-15 jokes/cartoons about homosexuality in some 18,000 pages in “Punch” during the entirety of the 60s. Never even a topical murmur about gays despite scandals, reforms and all other social tumult. And at the very, very end of the decade it’s just about bold enough to essay this clapped out, tiny, weak fart of an excuse for a pretence to a joke.