Prince Andrew will be lampooned in a Channel 4 satirical musical comedy later this year that’s based on what was widely seen as a “car-crash” Newsnight interview he did in 2019 about his friendship with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The comedy will be a “reimagining” of the interview, according to the Daily Mail, which called the sit-down with journalist Emily Maitlis “one of the most disastrous in royal history.”
“The fallout from the BBC interview ultimately led to Andrew, 62, stepping down from public life on November 20, 2019,” the British newspaper noted. “During the interview, Andrew denied he had sex with Virginia Giuffre, who said she was trafficked by Epstein on three separate occasions, including when she was 17 – still a minor under US law.”
The duke also dismissed Giuffre’s claim that he was sweating heavily as they danced at a London nightclub, saying it was factually wrong because he had a medical condition at the time which prevented him from sweating. As for a photo of him posing with Giuffre, Andrew questioned whether it was fake saying he didn’t recall taking the photo and noting that his casual attire was not in keeping with his practices.
“I don’t believe it’s a picture of me in London because… when I go out in London, I wear a suit and a tie,” he said. “That’s what I would describe as… those are my travelling clothes… if I’m going overseas.”
Duke of York, Prince Andrew and Mrs Giuffre have reached a 'settlement in principle' in the civil sex claim . Undisclosed amount said to be worth £7.5 million. This certainly raises a number of key questions. pic.twitter.com/K1wm2VZE4l
— Mark Williams-Thomas (@mwilliamsthomas) February 15, 2022
Andrew reached a settlement with Giuffre in February to end her lawsuit. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but it is said to be worth £7.5 million
Comedian Kieran Hodgson will reportedly be playing Prince Andrew and one of the songs featured in the musical will be My Profiterole — which is based on the cream-filled chocolate pudding Andrew used to impress ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.
Ian Katz, Channel 4’s chief content officer, spoke of the intent to maintain their “mischievous, disruptive” reputation.
“From musical satire about Prince Andrew to an exploration of cancel culture in art via men with very large penises, this season shows that Channel 4 is still as mischievous, disruptive and distinctive as when it was born 40 years ago,” he said, according to the Daily Mail. “Instead of a nostalgia-thon of highlights from the last four decades, we are celebrating with a collection of irreverent, thought-provoking and hugely entertaining shows that no other broadcaster would air.”
“If we must age, we plan to do it disgracefully,” he added.
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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