Pete, we have discussed Schweitzer's work at length before on other threads; I seem to recall providing links to her work but I might be wrong. What's the issue with her comment on bio films?

"although some of the repartee is quite clever & amusing, it includes what seems to me to be amazing amounts of personal insults (supposedly 'friendly') and character critiques"

Bill, with the greatest respect it seems you're not 'getting' the humour. This doesn't matter, until it becomes a comment in a discussion about how we debate. A thought had occurred to me since my last post, and this is connected. Much of this isn't really personal in the sense it's designed to really offend a person. Much of this is simply banter, and it's quite possible to have a big debate with someone, things to get heated and sometimes a bit pointed, but five minutes later it's forgotten or everyone has moved on. I disagree with many people on this forum and will discuss subjects with some vigour, but there's only one or two I wouldn't sit down for a pint with, and none of those are UK catters (whether they'd want a pint with me is a different matter!).

Last of the Summer Wine is pretty gentle (and awful) stuff, 7pm on a Sunday night viewing just after Songs of Praise. I haven't seen it for years, but it never had "amazing" amounts of personal insults as far as I can recall.

Taking the piss is a national pastime here, and long may it remain so. No-one's safe from it. As it should be.