So I’m watching an episode of the Avengers that I taped off the “retro spy marathon” that TV land did as part of an Austin Powers promo, and in introducing the episode – I’m pretty sure it was “The Gravediggers” – they mentioned that it was banned in the USA.
I find that kinda strange. I saw nothing in the ep – which was about a scheme to develop a radar jamming device hidden in coffins – that looked the least bit objectionable. There are much sexier, much kinkier eps of the Avengers. Of course, TV was pretty deep into censorship back then so there might be some odd bit they ran afoul of. Or this could all be bullshit. I thought a Doper might know, so I’m asking: was any ep of the Avengers ever banned, and why?
According to this page, The Gravediggers aired in NYC, at least, August 4th, 1966, not long after its British airings. It was A [urlhttp://www.theavengers.tv/forever/peel1-21.htm]Touch of Brimstone which was banned (presumably for the highly sexual nature of the goings on).
You’re probably right. “A Touch of Brimstone” was in the marathon, and they reran the promo bits a lot during the marathon, so it was probably just an out-of-place promo bit.
Shows how timid US TV was in those days. But as the web page you cited points out, navels weren’t allowed to be shown in those day on US TV, either.
Re “A TOUCH OF BRIMSTONE” I recall seeing that episode several times during the 70’s when I lived in Maryland. I specifically remember the scene where Steed avoids getting his fingers chopped off in a club initiation rite. That ban must have been local or short lived.
A Touch of Brimstone has the most hilariously half-hearted wenching ever. Having dressed Emma up as the Queen of Sin they make her sit around and watch novelty boxing. Huh. I can imagine it being censored, because that outfit is something else, but the onscreen activities are tame unless you find watching Peter Wyngarde overact stimulating.