The Inbetweeners - disability within the media

The Inbetweeners:
1. Why is the clip funny?
The clip is funny due to the reactions of the characters; Will, Jay, Neil and Simon, following the scenario with the other two female characters - who, within the episode, are strangers to the four main characters. The social awkwardness displayed by Will towards the disabled girl, after hitting her with a Frisbee, not only shows the funny characteristics of the character Will, but also the way we 'other' those with disabilities, within our society.

2. How is the disabled girl being presented?
Within the clip, both the characters and viewers look upon the disabled girl as being 'helpless' and an 'other' within society. This is due to both the reactions of the girl, and the reactions of Will. Once he realises that the girl he hit with the Frisbee was disabled, Will is deserted by his friends and becomes awkward and overly apologetic to the girl and her friend. This supports Paul Hunt's idea that disabled people are stereotyped as pitiable or pathetic, and it is clear that Will overcompensates with his apologies towards the girl, solely due to her disability. The actions of the girl further support this, as rather than dealing with the situation herself, she cries and relies on her friend to deal with Will.

3. Are we meant to laugh at the disabled person?
Within society, there is a stigma against the politically incorrect, and laughing at the disabled falls under this category. Therefore, the clip does not intend for the audience to laugh directly at the disabled girl, but instead at the reactions of Will and the other characters.

4. Are they the 'butt' of the joke?
In a sense, yes, as she is the main factor of the scenario - causing the joke entirely. However, we as the audience, are not laughing at her, but instead at the reactions of those around her. So I suppose in a way, the disabled girl is the 'butt' of the joke, but it is the way in which the situation is dealt with, which is the funniest part; rather than the girl herself.

5. How do you think disabled people respond to this?
I think a disabled person, when watching this clip, may be offended that disability of another has been used at the expense of a joke. The scene is not necessary to any plot-line within the Inbetweeners series, other than to highlight the socially awkward behaviour of Will. Also, the actions of the disabled girl within the scene fit the stereotype that disabled people are 'unable to participate in daily life', and this could anger those with a disability, as they would argue that this stereotype is completely offensive and incorrect.

6. Are we as a society cultivated to think we should pity the disabled?
As a society, as a whole, generally our opinions towards disabled people are that we should pity them - as we consider them to have been denied access to the same quality of life that we all take for granted. Therefore, we tend to overcompensate for whatever they supposedly 'lack'.