Frankie Boyle's Farewell to the Monarchy

Frankie Boyle's Farewell to the Monarchy is a 2023 television documentary that aired on Channel 4 about British kings and queens. Scheduled around Charles III's coronation, Boyle explores the reigns of William the Conqueror, Richard III, Henry VIII, Lady Jane Grey, Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria.

Frankie Boyle's Farewell to the Monarchy
GenreDocumentary
StarringFrankie Boyle
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Running time47 minutes
Release
Original networkChannel 4
Original release30 April 2023 (2023-04-30)

Synopsis

In light of Charles III's coronation in 2023, Frankie Boyle explores the history of the British monarchy. He makes jokes linking historical royals with the modern-day institution, focusing on accusations of sexual violence by Prince Andrew and Prince Harry's reduced role as a royal.

Boyle speaks to an expert on combat about William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hastings. He draws connections between William's views on land ownership and the Crown Estate, including Regent Street and much land in Scotland, which makes the royals "the world's largest landowners". Moving onto Richard III, the documentary details portrayals of the king in Shakespeare's play and his 2010s exhumation. Boyle visits Hever Castle, an occupancy of Anne Boleyn, to talk about Henry VIII, and consults with experts on Lady Jane Grey's execution as a teenager, within a fortnight of becoming queen.

He sees Elizabeth I as establishing the symbolic role of the monarchy and consults with Emma Dabiri on the monarchy's role in slavery and colonialism. Boyle believes that institutional misogyny of the monarchy can be seen in Queen Victoria's reign.

Production

A 75-minute documentary titled Frankie Boyle: Monarchy was announced in August 2022, as part of Channel 4's Truth or Dare series to commemorate its 40th anniversary. Set to be Boyle's first Channel 4 programme in 10 years, it was shelved following the death of Elizabeth II in September 2022.[1][2]

The 60-minute Farewell to the Monarchy premiered on 30 April 2023, in a Sunday 10 p.m. timeslot, shortly before Charles III's coronation.[3][4] It aired on Channel 4 alongside other specials critical of the monarchy, including the two-part Andrew – The Problem Prince, an episode of The Windsors and a repeat broadcast of Prince Andrew: The Musical.[5][6]

Reception

Stuart Jeffries of The Guardian gave the show five out of five stars, lauding it for speaking "comedy truth to power" and having an "excellent take on the monarchy". Jeffries suggested the programme could continue as a series and Boyle could explore the Scottish monarchy.[7] Chortle's Steve Bennett rated it four stars, finding its critical perspective "welcome" in contrast to other media coverage of the coronation. Bennett critiqued its format as an "odd hybrid" of stand-up comedy, republican polemic and historical documentary.[8] The Herald's Alison Rowat described the humour as predictable, though sometimes breathtaking, and the documentary as "pacey" and "enlightening".[9] Writing for Radio Times, Jack Seale commented that the documentary had many factual insights and showed Boyle's "uncompromising" anti-royalist perspective.[10]

References
  1. Richardson, Jay (14 September 2022). "Frankie Boyle's New World Order back but Monarchy special in doubt". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  2. Richardson, Jay (21 August 2022). "Frankie Boyle focuses on the monarchy for Channel 4 special". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  3. Vassell, Nicole (1 May 2023). "Frankie Boyle praised for delivering 'home truths' in Farewell to the Monarchy". The Independent. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  4. Richardson, Hollie (30 April 2023). "TV tonight: Frankie Boyle's fist-bitingly funny swipe at the royal family". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  5. Simpson, Craig (16 April 2023). "Channel 4 announces programmes to counter Coronation 'forelock-tugging'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  6. "King's coronation: Frankie Boyle to host Farewell to the Monarchy show". The National. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  7. Jeffries, Stuart (30 April 2023). "Frankie Boyle's Farewell to the Monarchy review – looks like he's blown his chance of an OBE". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  8. Bennett, Steve (1 May 2023). "Frankie Boyle's Farewell To The Monarchy". Chortle. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  9. Rowat, Alison (6 May 2023). "Frankie Boyle; Charles R; The Windsors; Blue Lights, reviewed". The Herald. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  10. Seale, Jack. "Frankie Boyle's Farewell to the Monarchy". Radio Times. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
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