Simply not funny

Published on 31st January 2008 in Letters

Sir - Not funny, de Cobains. Your full-page advertisement in last week's Goole Times tried using humour to promote an "ex-rental" sale, but I - and many other readers, I suspect - found nothing to laugh about.

Inviting potential customers to buy second-hand electronic goods "before the men in white coats arrive" is not amusing.

It may once have been acceptable to tell jokes or even to sing about those in asylums, as in the 1966 'hit' by Napoleon XIV (real name Jerry Samuels) called "They're coming to take me away, Ha-haaa", which peaked at number four in the British singles' chart. But poor mental health has never really been a comical condition, of course, and, if you don't believe me, talk to anyone who is suffering, or has suffered, from depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or a host of other psychological problems.

Not convinced? Then read about the emotional ills of such personalities as Monty Don, Claire Rayner, Robbie Williams and Alastair Campbell, whose states of mind have been well documented.

I rest my case…

STEVE ANDERSON

Sands Lane,

Holme-on-Spalding Moor