Nicola Sturgeon on Spitting Image: Good humoured parody or dangerous stereotype?

Nicola Sturgeon’s puppet has made its debut on the rebooted comedy show Spitting Image, in a sketch that has left viewers deeply divided.

The classic TV programme, which became famous throughout the 1980s and 1990s for lampooning all the biggest names in entertainment and politics, made its comeback on UK streaming service Britbox earlier this year.

While some saw it as a rite of passage to be depicted in the classic show, few people are happy at the Scottish First Minister’s appearance.

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The social media backlash has seen the sketch almost universally panned, especially on Twitter, where it came under heavy criticism for lazy writing, stereotyping, and awful accents.

The sketch sees her utter the Krankies catchphrase “fandabbydozy” and later shout “Glasgow kiss” as she headbutts Boris Johnson with a Saltire painted on her face.

Phillip Ingram said the New Spitting Image doesn’t look great: “That is terrible patter. Looks like it’ll beat Mrs Brown’s Boys to the top of the sh*t list. Good run she’s had anaw.”

Adrian Hallam added: “This is awful. Politicians and political movements are fair game for satire, but at least try to make it funny, or meaningful, or something. That was nothing.”

TheRanter2012 said: "Probably written by someone who's never even been to Scotland. Even taking away the subject matter, that's simply poorly written.”

Nicola Sturgeon as depicted on the new Spitting Image, along with Boris Johnson.Nicola Sturgeon as depicted on the new Spitting Image, along with Boris Johnson.
Nicola Sturgeon as depicted on the new Spitting Image, along with Boris Johnson.

However, some had more positive things to say about the sketch.

NorthernIsler at least appreciated seeing Sturgeon ‘stick the heid’ in Boris Johnson: “Poor accents but worth it for the end”.

Jonny went further. “Perfect imo. Exactly what Nicola sturgeon is like.”

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