Many of you might have noticed that within the last year or so, it's become OK to say the N word and other curse words and phrases on TV.
(U.S. TV)
Recently, I showed an episode of "Over-There" (http://www.fxnetwork.com/shows/originals/overthere/main.html) that I recorded onto DVD to a friend of mine who'd never seen it before.
If you've watched that show, you know that the N word is used every now & then.
They also say "s**t" on a regular basis.
I also remember Chris Rock saying the N word on Leno or Conan...I forget which. (I think it was him who said it)
It isn't limited to just cable networks.
My buddy, who doesn't usually watch regular TV that often, was shocked that those words were used on national TV.
I have noticed that within the last year, cursing on certain shows and on certain networks has been allowed by the FCC.
All of these shows are on after 9pm.
Anybody else noticing much more relaxed cencorship on certain shows?
It seems like only a few years ago, use of those words in any time slot was unthinkable.
When did this go into effect?
Can anybody point me to the official document online that allows it?
Post Edited (09-15-05 09:17)
Actually, watch TV Land reruns of Sanford and Son. Redd Foxx used the N-word quite a bit.
After 9 pm is what the FCC refers to as the Safe Harbor. In laymans terms "When the kids are in bed." Also "Over There" is on FX and not under FCC jurisdiction. (Forgive my spelling).
Trust me, I've had this stuff beat into my head since college. What I DON'T understand is the heavy scrutiny on CHR, Urban and alternative rock radio, but yet sports and news talk people get away with just about anything.
Standards have gotten looser over time. Lucille Ball couldn't even use the word pregnant on her show, she had to say "I'm having a baby". I think cable channels get a bit more leeway, though was it ER that had a character say "s**t"? Of course South Park had to go one better and have the characters say "s**t" dozens of times.
I'm not so sure there are decency standards for cable tv, beyond what the cable companies put in place themselves, not wanting to tick off too many people that would 1) lead to a local government breaking the cable company's monoploy [which needs to happen anyway, IMO] or 2), Congress sticking its nose in the mess [which needs to not happen, IMO].
There are groups working on the FCC right to come down on cable. All I've got to say is that if something offends me, I turn the channel.
I'm assuming you mean it's okay for black people on TV to say nig*bleep*
I've noticed this lately as well, and I have absolutely no problem with it. If the show is something that your child should not be watching, then don't let them watch it. I think it's fantastic that more adult oriented entertainment is out there are standard cable.
FX has really blown me away with the various series that they have. Out of all of the shows that I watch, most of them are on FX and most are profane/edgy. Starved, Rescue Me, Nip/Tuck, Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Over There, etc.
Skaboi wrote:
> If the show is something that your child
> should not be watching, then don't let them watch it.
>
Fair enough. But what about otherwise 'ordinary' shows, with generally family oriented themes, that are sneaking in such stuff also? I cannot recall what it was, but just the other day we had something on TV that was not really an adult oriented show (and it was early in the day) and the words "ass" and "b***h" were thrown in.
Actually it seemed forced in, and was not germaine to the plot or theme at all. *THIS* is the trend that I find troubling - a gutterization (??), a lowering to the lowest common denomenator, of EVERYTHING.
While more adult oriented programming is in itself not a bad thing, there is nothing wrong with not having EVERY show aspire to be that.
Or hey, maybe the message for families is "don't watch TV." That's the approach we are taking more and more, and I'm sure the advertisers really will appreciate losing exposure to more and more people with our level of "disposable" income.
Poor business decision, in my book. Netflix is hopefully coming to this house soon, and then, well, TV will be all but gone.
Skaboi wrote:
>
> FX has really blown me away with the various series that they
> have. Out of all of the shows that I watch, most of them are
> on FX and most are profane/edgy. Starved, Rescue Me, Nip/Tuck,
> Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Over There, etc.
>
First, let me say that I have always found it silly to be offended by a word. It's the usage that's offensive, not the word. If a word is used in hatred, then it's offensive to me. Profanity doesn't bother me in the least.
That said, why is it that a program is only considered "adult-oriented" if its characters are constantly spouting profanity and making crude sexual remarks? IMHO, it should be the subject matter that defines "adult" or "family" programming more so than the language. I don't use profanity myself, but it's not out of any moral superiority; I just think that profanity is one sign of a lazy mind. And profanity on TV is a sign of lazy writers who can't come up with decent dialogue, so they throw in a bunch of cuss words to "shock" viewers, under the guise that they are simply mimicking how people "really talk."
This whole "that's how people really talk" thing is a red herring anyway. It depends on with whom you associate. I know a lot of people who don't use profanity in every sentence.
Hit yourself in the hand with a hammer and swearing is one thing, but using it in conversational speech is another. I'm going to a professional meeting tomorrow to give a workshop talk. How successful will I be if I use profanity once, much less every other sentence?
So, I don't buy the "that's how people talk" arguement anyway.
Being old enough to have watched Sanford and Son when it was originally on, at that time the N word was not a big deal. What I'd like to know is why it is suddenly acceptable to use it if the 'er' is changed to an 'a'?
Also, 'Dead Like Me' astonished me with the use of the 'F' word. I've seen it used in several different episodes. Once it was part of the line 'This is f@cking bullsh!t.'
Shadowphile wrote:
> Being old enough to have watched Sanford and Son when it was
> originally on, at that time the N word was not a big deal.
> What I'd like to know is why it is suddenly acceptable to use
> it if the 'er' is changed to an 'a'?
>
To be honest, it was the best idea African Americans could come up with... same reason why the "black guys have bigger penises" is so popular. Every race has a group of guys who are well-endowed, but if you have a myth about white guys having enourmous penises, are you going to dispute it just for diplomacy? Those who know... well, I'll let you figure it out. ;)
being the hip hop conosuar i am i can speak for it a little on the music side. the "N word" specifically "n***a" is one of the most sociologically complicated things in america it seems and depending on which Black person you speak to about it you will get a different opinion. i've heard some Blacks say they hate the use of it, i've had a Black friend of mine once tell me he didn't mind if i called him that and in fact welcomed it (IMO-i don't agree with using the term and didn't).
ok, now that i went off the beaten path back in the early 90's A Tribe Called Quest put out a song called "Sucka n***a" on Midnight Mauraders. this song basically outlined the philosophy and the reasons why urban america adopted the word and defended it's usage by saying it's only used as "a term of endearment."
as time passed, well even before this song, the hip hop & urban culture used it widely. many older generations find the word very offensive for they are not to far from the days of the jim crow era, the civil rights protest and violence that followed, & the violence of the kkk .
hope this makes sense to everyone and i hope no P.C. police come hunting for me with their dr. phil books in hand and their feelings hurt.
Chopper wrote:
>
> ok, now that i went off the beaten path back in the early 90's
> A Tribe Called Quest put out a song called "Sucka n***a" on
> Midnight Mauraders. this song basically outlined the philosophy
> and the reasons why urban america adopted the word and defended
> it's usage by saying it's only used as "a term of endearment."
>
I've heard that too, and I can't help but say "bulls**t". Jews don't go around saying, "Yo, my heeb!"; when a guy calls another guy "fag!" you can be pretty sure he isn't greeting a potential life partner. If people choose to greet each other by using a derogitory term, its certainly their perogitive... but I can't help but think any reason they'll give is a half-assed excuse. Pardon my racist whitebread upbringing...
What's up, cracker?
odinn7 wrote:
> What's up, cracker?
>
Exactly my point, brother cracker.
And a very good point it is. I agree completely, honky.
Post Edited (09-19-05 09:56)
As someone else pointed out, this is probably one of the most complicated "issues" in contemporary American society. I'd willingly wager there are a quite a few sociology theses written on this topic each year.
For my part, I think part of it is 'empowerment.' I think the "you can't use that term but I can" mentality is a means to have a sense of control in a social system in which one feels he has no control. There might also be a bit of counterculture element to it: I'll do something that I KNOW flies in the face of 'acceptable society' to emphasize I don't accept this society's rules.
For that matter, one can likewise argue that the use of an epiteth or slur in general is a power play. Whites who use the term "n****r" generally are using it within an air of superiority and/or condescension. The use of such language, by either group (white or black), is certainly emotionally charged and designed to be so. I think it is no different than calling a female a "b***h" (or other) ... you don't usually use terms like that to people that you are trying to become endeared. (I know that some black folks will use 'the n-word' pseudo affectionately to each other, but I think it is still partly based in causing a rise out of whites that they do this).
I've got to say, though, I find it interesting and a bit troubling that within the context of a serious discussion, people use phrases like "the N-Word" rather than the word "n****r" itself. Again, as someone pointed out above, the word itself has no power; the context does. But we've somehow elevated this particular word to 'superword' status (a meme perhaps?) so that its very utterance will bring forth the rath of all fire and destruction. That's hardly the environment for intelligent discussion, mutual understanding and respect needed to understand the basis for such language and eliminate the hatreds that fuel it.
Finally, as for its use on TV; I try to avoid such shows anyway. I certainly don't want my children picking up that kind of language (n-words, f-words, s-words, etc, etc).
My $0.02, take it or leave it.
Amen, whitey. Ain't nothin' but a whitebread thang. *hand slap*