Comics at the BBC must go through a lengthy process to get some jokes on air because the Corporation is extra-wary about causing offence , an editor at the company has claimed . Chris Sussman , executive editor for comedy , revealed particular jokes have to go through 'quite a lot of layers ' to be approved . Some jokes even have to be looked over by director general Lord Hall - alongside editorial policy advisers , the channel and legal advisers - before they are aired , he said . Comics at the BBC must go through a lengthy process to get jokes on air , including some being looked over by director general Lord Hall ( left ) , an editor at the company claimed . It is because the Corporation is extra-wary about causing offence - like in the Sachsgate scandal involving Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross ( right ) The cautious attitude comes after a 'difficult few years ' , Mr Sussman added . Speaking at a Bafta event The Telegraph reported him saying : 'It 's been a difficult few years and I think that is reflected internally in terms of the processes and procedures we go through when we ’ re making programmes . 'To get a certain joke on air , to get a joke approved , we have to go through quite a lot of layers . 'Sometimes we ’ ll run something past at script stage , if we ’ re unsure . Most of the time it ’ s about `` here ’ s the show , have a look at it '' . ' The strict rules come after a 'difficult few years ' following the Sachsgate scandal , where Ross and Brand left lewd messages on Andrew Sachs ' ( left ) voicemail , Mr Sussman added . Comedian Frankie Boyle ( right ) has previously criticised the BBC about its cautious attitude towards comedy . Mr Sussman joined the Corporation after Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand caused outrage by broadcasting a series of answer phone messages they left with Andrew Sachs . The messages included lewd comments about Brand 's relationship with Sachs ' granddaughter , Georgina Baillie . Comedian Frankie Boyle has previously criticised the BBC about its cautious attitude towards comedy . He called the Trust cowardly for the broadcaster ’ s lack of political comedy in 2010 shortly after leaving Mock The Week . In an open letter Boyle added that the BBC wanted to 'deliver the flavour of political comedy with none of the content ' . John Lloyd , producer of Blackadder and Not the Nine O'Clock News , added that comedy that is not funny could 'sink the corporation ' .
Chris Sussman said particular jokes must go through ' a lot of layers ' Cautiousness comes after a 'difficult few years ' at the BBC , he added . Comment: