To my fellow Brits, the reason this is offensive to Filipinas is because it's true. Maids really do get treated in that way, especially in HK and the M East. The PI govt is over-reacting to score popularity points which is normal here and is much funnier than the sketch. Apologise Harry... please

Roy, Manila,

UK humour has descended to rudeness, violence and insults. I am saddened, returning to the UK to see what people think is funny...
Looks like I will need my passport again soon.

Ian, Cardiff,

Who consented to playing the Filipina? Was she one? Or just a generic Southeast Asian actress?

watkins, bangkok, thailand

Substitute 'Geordie' for Northener or 'Thai' for Filipino and the effect would be the same.

The point of the sketch is to question how ignorant, shallow and insensitive people can live in such opulent surroundings, just because they talk posh.

Harry and Paul - comedy geniuses.

Howard, Nottingham,

RH in San Francisco, you are absolutely correct, well done.

Chris, The North, UK

For all the non-UK people, the skit is actually aimed at pompous, southern Englanders, not maids.

I really enjoy the new Harry and Paul show, it's very, very funny and well worth a look.

I reserve the right to find funny whatever I want!

Dave, London - 40, 45 comment. Hilarious. I get it.

A.N, London, UK

They won't allow any argument on the petition, but if you want to make your views known about this, you can re-educate the re-educators on http://www.gopetition.com/msg.php#post

JA, London,

As with Borat, other countries find it difficult to understand who the joke is on in British comedy. It doesn't advertise a nation's/government's intelligence or sense of humour, to demand official apologies. Dear Filipinos, the most biting jokes in British comedy are still on Brits themselves.

Philip, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Apparently it's OK for an entire 2 series of the Office to poke fun at fat middleaged blokes working in offices ...everyone who sees this show knows that the character of the maid was incidental to the main theme of Harry's family keeping Paul's Geordie as a pet.

Ian , London, UK

I can't believe so many people can't see that it's obviously the middle class 'owner' that is being ridiculed. You should all become limbo dancers, as it seems that things easily go over your heads.

Doug, Uttoxeter, UK

Don't you even dare try and dismantle our humour! It's all us Brits have left for crying out loud!

Liam, London, England

Im not keen on the PC brigade but dont like material that exploits or causes offence, this just isnt funny , Harry unfortunately hasnt been funny for years, this is just another sad example of him losing the plot. Benny Hill did this better and I didnt find him funny either. Funny old thing humor eh

am, letchworth,

I don't think a Filipina maid is an appropriate figure of fun even at a remove. Substitute any other group for "Philippino maid" and Enfield might find himself the subject of a Fatwa or worse. Barbara Windsor might have provided some humour to this skit - in the 60's where it belongs.

JeanneMarine, Melbourne, Australia

My wife is a Filipina and feel those who see this as "only British humour" totally miss the point. My wife loves British humour of all types but to portray her fellow Filipinos in this way is terribly insulting. Why not just a "maid"? That might be funny, but to specify a Filipina is unacceptable.

David N House, Wisbech, UK

As a Northerner, I was very offended...

Mark Ryan, Los Angeles, USA

Surely the sketch is a comment on labour relations and the way in which the very wealthy treat their "servants" like their livestock. And to Alex in 'Frisco, I am a white male but as I'm not transparent I am also a "person of colour" - God I hate that asinine phrase!

Pete Dodd, Darlington, UK

I can understand the Philipine response. Although the Ali G in Da House film portrayed a female Thai ambassador as a ping pong popping go go bar performer and I didn't here any complaints from the Thai authorities. The bottom line is that the new Harry Enfield show is crude and not funny.

Simon Eastham, Wigan, Britain

Doesn't the PI government have better things to do with their time - i.e. focus on efforts to uplift the economy - rather than making comments on a comedy skit which portrays the plight of a Filipina who has to go abroad to earn a living as virtual indentured labour - also a result of gov policy?

FinoyExfat, London, UK

I watched Millionaire last night during which Nursing was portrayed as a profession made up entirely of photogenic young white women . In my view this was more racist than a tiny clip of a comedy show in which the Filipino character was incidental to the main theme.

Ian, London, UK

"..calling for the re-education of the BBC.."

Which will make a change to the BBC attempting to "re-educate" the UK to their Marxist doctrines!

The Fillapinos obviously have no sense of humour. How come we Geordies aren't offended at our portrayal in this sketch? It's humour nowt more!

AJL, Newcastle, UK

Suppose the Filipinos are thinking that if everyone else is taking offence these days, then they might as well show offence as well.
They dont seem to realise that making an international incident over a one minute sketch will make the show more popular. Dont they have off buttons on filipino tvs?

Simon G, London, England

"The Brits may not find much to offend them, the woman in question being one of color, but it is definitely degrading to women.

Alex, San Francisco, U.S.A."


What about it being degrading to men as he was being kept as a domestic pet; or to southerners being portrayed as arrogant fools?

AJL, Newcastle, UK

44 comments and only four actually recognise that the point of the joke is the suburban southerner. As usual minorities are up in arms over something irrelevant and everyone is forced to listen. Only those looking for an arguement would deem this racist. Pathetic!

Mr Ford, Basingstoke,

Can someone explain to those complaining the difference between "at" and "with".

Nobody has the right to not be offended. Even if Harry Enfield did intentionally offend then show your evidence of his internal thoughts to prove it. Can't, eh? There's your answer.

Tim Carpenter LPUK, London, UK

Harry Enfield? just not funny anymore, seems to have been exclipsed about 10 years ago buy better people. Why he carries on trying to prove otherwise is the real mystery and why any TV channel pays for it.

Ben, London, UK

Also he was stopped from playing a Hoodie Muslim and paedo Catholic Priest by his producers seems its ok to attack orientals according to them. Mr Enfield, Whitehouse and Co are continuing the white supremacist dream.

Ewan Bauld, Manchester, England

Is no one going to make a comment about the unfair light in which northerners are portrayed???? The sketch is clearly playing on stereotypes and trying to 'shock' by taking them to extremes - that's what triggers a reaction in people.

Maybe it was a bit irresponsible... but I found it funny.

James, York, UK

if you don't like it...shut up and go and watch something else. Stop moralising about what is 'suitable and appropriate. If you must protest about something go and sort out Catholic priests or child abuse but stop telling me what I should or should not find funny!

Graham, Towcester,

John from London has a good point , altho for a different reason than he thinks.
Funny or not, its not rascist - but substitute the Filipina maid for one of Indian or African descent and it certainly would never have made it to the screen. And why not, is the real question everyone should be asking

TJ, Panama,

I don't see john Prescott mounting a complaint on behalf of northerners about the programme making fun of northerners - why, because its a JOKE, that makes fun of stereotypes and takes it to the ridiculous. Can these filipino politicians get a life please - if you dont like it dont watch it...

Matt J, London, UK

Dear Mr Mannila, this is democracy, freedom of speech. Try it, it beats a covert military dictatorship anyday. As Imelda would say "Its a shoe in".....

ash deo, lincoln, england

great, thanks to this and the Desperate Housewives fiasco- we'll be stereotyped as a nation of touchy no-humour whiners who froth at the mouth and jump the gun on any real or imagined slight - no matter how incredulous or funny the circumstances and contexts surrounding it may be

Clovis Sangrail, Manila, Philippines

The only real shame is the money maids are (morally) forced to send back home to support their families and to keep the country from going bust.

robert, vancouver, bc

Anyone been to Manila to witness the widespread - and government condoned - prostitution in the central business district?

Bank clerks, nurses and students ply their sordid moonlight trade for $40 a night.

Laughable hypocrisy from the most absurd politicians on the planet. Get a life Manila!

Dave Roberts, Charlotte, USA

I just watched it, was pretty lame. The only really good sketch on this show has been the Dragon's Den rip-off. The rest has been pretty poor really. I would not expect that from Paul Whitehouse but not so surprised about Harry Enfield, unfortunately.

HTrivedi, Londonh,

i saw the clip just now and i didn't find it funny. how would you guys think if we filipinos make fun of the british?? hmmm. yes, filipinos maybe poor and lacking in a lot of things but still, we should still be respected as a people and as a citizen of this world.

alvin perez, manila, philippines

Was there the same furore when Little Britain did the sketches of the "ladyboy" from Thailand? Also why are the Geordies not up in arms as it ridicules them too?
As said by more than one person the only thing that should be apologised for is the lack of humour in this particular sketch.

Mike, Kuala Lumpur,

It's amazing how you Brits are constantly having to explain your humor. I guess those of us in the rest of the world have such small, unsophisticated brains that we simply can't grasp the complex nuance and cerebral superiority of your comic brilliance.

RH, San Francisco, USA

The sketch was clearly a satire on middle class snobbery.
Aren't the Philippinos questioning the absurdity of a man keeping a northerner in pyjamas as a pet?

Chris, Tokyo, Japan

I find it appalling & utterly tasteless. I think it is never right for anyone to toy with gender & racial stereotypes, let alone those with sexual overtones. This callous treatment of perceived notions of Asian women (not just Filipinas) in mainstream media indicates ignorance at best.

Sheena, Manila, Philippines

Free Speech is part of the great tradition of "The Rights of Englishmen." But with freedom also comes responsiblity, all too often "comedians" are uterly lacking in any sense of social or national responsibility.

EAG, Maritimes, Canada

I saw the sketch and found it utterly revolting.

What is so funny about a man urging another man to "mount" a woman as if she were an animal?

The Brits may not find much to offend them, the woman in question being one of color, but it is definitely degrading to women.

Alex, San Francisco, U.S.A.

What most of you guys don't understand is the fact that the Philippines already has a tarnished image. Stereotypical humour will never be taken lightly by a country who depends heavily on these overseas workers remittances. Apology is indeed needed.

Christina Archibald, Manchester, UK

I'm Filipino, I didn't take offense to the skit but found it to be utter rubbish. This guy doesn't deserve the attention. I only know a few British comedians (Ricky Gervais, Russell Brand etc.) and so far I just don't find any of them funny. Stupid, but not funny.

Carl, Washington DC, USA

Sam from Taunton - you're exactly on the money. The owner is the butt of the joke.

The sketch is neither sexist nor racist, the owner in the sketch is, the sketch not.

Rob, Wigan, Lancs

Very funny as usual. Some people take things too seriously.

Nicholas Martin, Edgware, Middlesex

The owner is racist and sexist - the sketch isn't. Very funny!

The laughs are to be found in the ridiculousness of the owners attitude and actions. Sam from Taunton sums it up perfectly.

Bob, Wigan, Lancs

dont even think of apologising harry, the philippines will now have a government debate on this subject, take a look a philippino televison and films to see how they degrade the foreigner, if they do not like how they are seen in the world , then maybe they should start cleaing up there own back ya

katia, manila, philippines

"re-education of the BBC" ! I cant believe the thought police havent arrested Mr Enfield and reducated him, is this what we pay taxes for !

James, South Hams,

This sketch was more offensive to us Northerners than to Fiipinos. The 2 elderly Jewish gents who play hip-hop could be considered caricatures, as could the Polish deli girls. The whole series has been faintly racist...yet it's still made me - a Northern, part-Polish Jew - laugh out loud many times.

David, Manchester, UK

I'm surprised anybody (including Filipinos) watched this pile of tripe. Harry and Paul made a great trailer based on Dragon's Den but that seemed to be exception rather than the rule when it came to laughs.

Michelle, Glasgow, UK

If people take offence, it shows you're doing something right! More please! Down with inoffensive, polite comedy falling over itself to please the censor!

Dean Hallett, Basingstoke, UK

Public decency should have dictated against this scene even before considering the offense it implies to particular groups. If societies are continually accepting more and more of what was previously unacceptable, where does it stop?

MH, near Vancouver, Canada

Surely it can only be a matter of time before these two comic has- beens are reduced to playing the working man's club circuit. They have clearly lost whatever talent they once had, and are now resorting to vulgar stereotyping.

Marc, London,

What twin towers of strength through joy Harry Enfield and his supremely talented colleague Paul Whitehouse are. I can't on the other hand find a living soul who says the same about anything Indonesian, not that I am minded to look awfully hard, I must admit.

Andrew Waldron, Bournemouth, UK

For the love of god, what is wrong withb this kind of comedy, freedom of speech not allowed anymore is it not?? From a totally unoffended northerner. All those offended, go away and live in a cave and leave the rest of alone to have a laugh

Chris, The North, UK

Excellent clip and very funny. Well done Harry

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

british humour is hard for some cultures to get with their culture of reverence. british humour could never work in many countries because everything is fair game, including the royals. and like it or not, the idea of vetting humour is not part of british culture, but laughing @ the powerful is.

James, London, UK

He's a nasty piece of work who hasn't been funny since the 80's. His schoolboy humour relies upon the mocking of various types of people, and exemplifies the sixth form common room comedy style of circa 1974.

Get rid of him, and promote some of the funnier regional comedians springing up

A. Wright-Burke, London Bridge, UK

I suggest Enfield quit the Beeb and place all his material on Youtube. Mainstream TV comedy is dead thanks to the balmy idea that thoughts and ideas have to be vetted and approved by executive guardians of racial morality before they can be expressed.

Geoff, Leics, UK

Are the recent Enfield and Whitehouse shows even less funny than Little Britain ?

K Leonard, London, UK

This sketch is supposed to be mocking the people who perceive other cultures and classes as being 'below' them. The butt of the joke is not the Filipino maid, or the northern 'dog' - these could have been from any potentially looked-down-upon area of society. The joke is on the 'dogs' 'owner'.

Sam, Taunton, Somerset

I know many humour BBC programs on the Spanish, French, Germans, Indians, Italians and particularly Americans. For example, Faulty Towers is on John Cleese with a Spanish waiter as his employee. No this is not racism, just plain, simple humour.

Raul, Oxon,

Surely the butt of the joke was the ridiculous suburban twit? I haven't seen the clip and I don't imagine it was particularly funny but it doesn't seem to be an insult to Filipinos. Even if it were, so what! Or would Enfienld have to be Filipino in order to satirise Filipinos?

Sam, London, UK

Imagine an Afro-Caribbean or Indian character in place of the Filipina maid; the sketch would never have made the screen. Obviously Filipinos are seen as fair game. Enfield hasn't been funny for about 20 years. Perhaps he should dump the cartoon characters and try to write some intelligent comedy.

John, London,

I thought it was very funny but also thought it poked fun at the Northerner and not the maid.

I guess humour is not universal.

Joe, Edinburgh, Scotland

This is just another example of over sensitivity. I haven't heard anyone from the north complaining about this sketch. Surely the Philippines foreign secretary has more pressing issues to deal with then this!

Chirs, London, UK

No complaints from Manchester City Council about making fun of the "Northerner", I take it?

Bob, London,

There must be 40, 45 thousand Filipinos over here and I didn't hear them complain, maybe they have developed a sense of humour since being here !

Dave, London,

PC gone mad. Exactly how do you violate the rights of a fictitious person? Did any northerners complain it was offensive to them too? This complaint is so sad it's beneath contempt...

Matt, London,

I'd like an apology from Harry and Paul as well. Not because I found it offensive, just because it's not funny...

Sophie, Birmingham,

Harry has poked fun at "women know your place", loutish builders, and Waynetta Slob wanting a brown baby, and everyone else in between.

Humour, I suppose, is cultural and does not always travel well ... what about the poor Northern dog?

Rosie, New Milton,

To be frank I think that once again a great British Institution is being lambasted by humourless idiots.
The scene was very funny and the Phillipinos should appreciate that the poking of fun of stereotypes is NOT RACIST and if they think about it, the Northerner was the butt of the joke..Cheer Up

James Taylor , Maidenhead , Berks

To be frank I think that once again a great British Institution is being lambasted by humourless idiots.
The scene was very funny and the Phillipinos should appreciate that the poking of fun of stereotypes is NOT RACIST and if they think about it, the Northerner was the main butt of the joke.

James Taylor , Maidenhead , Berks

Having watched the clip just now, my opinion is that it is insulting and not at all humerous. Enfield should apologise unreservedly to the Philippine nation and the BBC sanctioned for poor editorial judgement in allowing this sexist, racist rubbish to be shown.

Matthew, Bucks, UK