Outrageous Palace censorship gags the Chaser's take on royal wedding

Location: Hadal Zone Job/hobbies: State Liquidator

The ABC's plans to have the controversial Chaser team commentate a telecast of the royal wedding has been cancelled on orders from Clarence House in London.

In an unprecedented step, the palace, which serves as an office for the Prince of Wales and his son, Prince William, has imposed a ban on the broadcast because of perceived sensitivities to criticism.

The broadcast agreement under which the ABC takes the wedding telecast forbids its use in "any drama, comedy, satirical or similar entertainment program or content."

The ABC was advised today that it would be in breach of the agreement if it proceeded with plans to air the wedding on ABC2 with the Chaser team providing a comedy-based commentary.

ABC1 will still take "BBC coverage of the wedding", including its commentary. ABC News and ABC News 24 will also be able to use footage.

Kim Dalton, Director of ABC TV said "the national broadcaster has acted in good faith in its negotiations around ABC2‟s planned coverage with both [broadcast suppliers] the BBC and APTN.

"We're surprised and disappointed at this very late stage to be informed that any satirical or comedic treatment of the marriage of Australia's future Head of State has been banned."

The ban has stunned broadcast executives, in part because other networks are planning light entertainment-themed coverage, including Nine, which is using Dame Edva Everage as a commentator, and Ten, which is using its entertainment programs The 7pm Project and The Circle to frame its coverage.

As late as this morning the BBC issued a new contract imposing additional restrictions on the use of its material.

"ABC TV had always planned to take the BBC's full coverage with commentary on ABC1. However like other broadcasters we thought Australians would appreciate an alternative take on this major event," said Dalton.

"The Nine Network has Dame Edna giving her commentary and the Ten Network has the 7PM Project taking a light-hearted approach to the Royal Wedding. Our obvious choice, for a light-hearted commentary is The Chaser team. Clearly, the BBC and Clarence House have decided The Chaser aren't acceptable."

The Chaser's Julian Morrow said: "The Chaser team accepts that the ABC has been put in an impossible position by people acting on behalf of the Royal Family.

"For a monarchy to be issuing decrees about how the media should cover them seems quite out of keeping with modern democratic times .... but I suppose that's exactly what the monarchy is.

"It's traditional for the condemned to appeal to the Monarch for a stay of execution, so that's what we're going to do. Unfortunately, it's also traditional for people who appeal for clemency to be executed."

The Chaser's Chris Taylor said: "We've been taken off air before but never by the Queen herself. It's an honour."

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