Does HBO make clean versions of their shows for future use in syndication? I know they did this for Dream On a few years back.
Are there clean versions of The Sopranos, Sex and the City, and Six Feet Under?
I would think the money HBO could make with syndicating these woule more than make up for the extra production costs of taping both clean and dirty versions.
stv
All the HBO series that I have seen turned into “clean” versions are just editted down versions of the originals, not seperate tapings. Dream On, Tales from the Crypt, and The Hitchhiker come to mind. Editting for time would be necessary since the originals are not shown with commercials so are a little longer than 22 minutes.
Dream On had alternate takes without nudity that they used for promos and the syndicated ones.
The one I remember the most was the episode where he becomes importent and there is a shot of one of his many girlfriends with pom poms sitting on him doing a cheer in the promos and in the syndicated one she is wearing a bra. On the HBO episode she is topless.
I watched a syndicated Larry Sanders Show, but it was uncensored. It was on a Canadian station I get here in Buffalo, and it was on late. I was so happy to see it on, one of my all time favorite shows.
The sopranos do film alternate versions (minus swears, some violence, strippers, i assume), in the expectations that the show will be syndicated in the future.
The Bravo cable network will begin airing a “clean” verson of The Larry Sanders show soon. So in this case, I believe they made “profanity-free” versions of the programs…
Seems like a lot of work!
Seems like kind of a shame to me. I think that the profanity in these shows, particularly the comedies, is integral to the overall effect. I saw a few of the edited Dream Ons and thought they were not nearly as funny as the original versions. (And have you ever seen the edited-for-TV version of Blazing Saddles? 'Twas sad indeed.)
In my opinion, it would be funnier if in preparing this kind of thing for network consumption, they would simply bleep the offending words; that way, network standards could be upheld without watering down the characters by putting uncharacteristic dialogue in their mouths.
I mean, take Artie, Rip Torn’s character on Larry Sanders: his part would be greatly diminished without his sailor vocabulary. I think his character would be much better served by bleeping him–so it’s obvious he’s cussing–rather than replacing those words with milder ones.
In the case of the dramas, though, I’m not sure bleeping would work.
All three shows mentioned in the OP are seen on free to air TV here, so I’m wondering how much demand there’d be for sanitised versions.
Can they not be shown at all on free to air in the US unedited, or can they be shown after a certain time?
I agree 110% Hoops
I wouldn’t watch Larry Sanders, one of my favorite shows, without the funny vulgarity. It was gritty, and that’s what made it attractive.
Damn I love that show.
I love Hank.
reprise: no, in the US you can’t show nudity (even topless) or swearing on tv no matter what time.
I’m tryijng to picture a “clean” version of The Sopranos and having a really hard time lol
All of these reasons are why HBO is really dominating television right now. Network TV, even at its NYPD Bluest, can’t provide the more adult entertainment.
Dream On’s creator said it best when asked in interview how he took the criticism that sometimes it seemed he showed breasts for the simple sake of showing breasts. His response?
“What’s the matter with that?”
Didn’t NBC show Shindler’s List uncensored?
Marc
Not sure, but if they did I’m sure it was a big deal and much was made of warnings and special announcements and such.
I remember when South Park said “shit”… heh. I don’t think they’ve replayed that one, have they? And that was on cable!
Strictly speaking, that’s not true. There’s no specific law prohibiting nudity or profanity other than vague “indecency” guidelines. Nudity can be seen on documentaries, some public television programs…and even on prime-time programs sometimes (NYPD Blue and Roots come to mind). Broadcast networks have also been relaxing their standards on profanity…several shows have gotten away with “shit” recently.
So, you actually can show nudity on US broadcast television. The reason why its rarely aired is because in the U.S., our networks all strive to maintain a “family friendly” image. If they began to air racier material, they’d no doubt anger many viewer & lose advertising revenue…
I think I’ve seen uncensored movies on the classic movie channels, (I think Bravo was one)