Just Fancy That! #103 - Stuart Murphy, BBC3

A Press Release from November 2002

Stuart Murphy, Controller of BBC THREE says:
“As Tessa Jowell said recently, BBC THREE needs to be all about taking risks, and Popetown is a risk which we hope the target demographic will appreciate. It fulfils BBC THREE’s commitment to originating animation, while using new and established talent in an unusual and untried environment. Having had a Catholic upbringing myself, I believe Jerry Hall will make an excellent nun, and hope Ruby Wax, being Jewish and female, may bring something to the role of The Pope which the Catholic Church may have so far overlooked.”

And, from September 23rd, 2004, from the very same Stuart Murphy, still (amazingly) Controller BBC3:

[the comic impact of Popetown did] "not outweigh the potential offence it will cause"

"There is a fine judgement line in comedy between the scurrilously funny and the offensive"

"I knew when we developed the series that there was risk involved but unfortunately, once we saw the finished series, it became clear that the programme fell on the wrong side of that line."

So, that's alright then.

"Integrity, no, you need to check in someone else's office, we're fresh out." -
Unatributed quote from BBC Television Centre, 23/09/04