A modern version of restoration comedy? Double entendre, objectification, fearful men and rakes manqué in the television work of Benny Hill

Benny Hill's once globally popular (but controversial) television humour was often built around elements associated with Restoration comedy. These included double entendre; the objectification of women (which Hill in the 1980s intensified, to the detriment of his comedy and career); and themes involving men fearing women. Additionally, some of Hill's characters had traits suggestive of those of Restoration comedy, although his men generally lacked the classic rakes' social status and sexual success, and their frequent failures introduced into Hill's comedy an ironic caricature of contemporary views of male sexuality and ego.

Automated summary

Benny Hill's television humor was influenced by elements of Restoration comedy, such as double entendre, objectification of women, and themes involving men's fear of women. Though his characters shared traits with those of Restoration comedy, they lacked the social status and sexual success of classic rakes. Their frequent failures served as an ironic caricature of contemporary views on male sexuality and ego.