As a long-time fan of Victoria Coren Mitchell and her witty humor, I have to say that I found her recent “Portillo gag” on Only Connect both amusing and in line with the show’s tradition of clever wordplay. It was reminiscent of the classic ISIHAC style, which is one of the reasons why I tune into Only Connect every week.
Fans have taken issue with Victoria Coren Mitchell, the presenter of “Only Connect,” for what they consider a sexist remark regarding her BBC colleague Michael Portillo.
On Tuesday’s broadcast (December 16), the host concluded the program by making a nod towards the host of the “Great British Railway Journeys”.
Next on BBC Two, you’ll find another installment from a delightful series, generously supported by the RSPB. In this episode, celebrities take care of birds for a while, then pass them along to other famous figures to increase attention towards declining bird populations.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed observing BBC Two’s notable figures handing over their presenting duties to others and now I’m excited to get involved too! Tonight, I look forward to imbibing, or more casually, taking a few sips, with Michael Portillo.
Some viewers at home have since expressed criticism of that moment, with one person on Twitter stating: “I appreciate @VictoriaCoren, but I’ve always found the Portillo jokes to be sexist, cheap, and not funny. Tonight’s joke was particularly inappropriate for a family-friendly quiz show #onlyconnect.
“Ugh, VictoriaCore! The Portillo gag at the end of #Onlyconnect was hard to get past. Another user commented similarly, and a third agreed, saying, ‘@VictoriaCoren you went too far with that joke on #OnlyConnect.’
However, some defended the star, one viewer writing: “Phenomenal Portillo gag in true ISIHAC style at the end of last night’s #OnlyConnect. Kudos, @VictoriaCoren for the deadpan delivery.”
“Swallows Michael Portillo [cry laughing emoji] #onlyconnect,” another added.
Digital Spy has reached out to Coren Mitchell’s representatives for comment.
Previously this year, there was an error pointed out by the host on the show “Only Connect,” where Finn Wolfhard’s last name, from “Stranger Things,” was incorrectly written as ‘Wolfhart.’
After speaking with X, Coren Mitchell penned down: “It appears there was a typo on the adjoining wall last night; it read ‘Wolfhart’ instead of ‘Wolfhard.’ However, I refuse to offer an apology.
It might be significant to include an intentional mistake in the Third Place Play-off, much like the intricate flaws found in Persian carpets, to ensure we don’t unintentionally upset the divine.
Only Connect airs on Monday at 8pm on BBC Two.
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2024-12-19 18:19