Are there explicit rules that enumerate exactly which words may not be used on US television? When, if ever, have these rules been revised?
I remember that around 1993, sitcoms suddenly became an endless gratuitous repetition of “ass, bitch, bastard”. Inexplicably, other extremely useful terms like “shit” remain absent to this very day. This makes me think that some regulation had been altered to specifically allow those words starting around 1993.
The word “bullshit” has been used on multiple programs recently, as well as rear female nudity on at least two “Law & Order: SVU and Line Of Fire.”
There is no list of forbidden words, George Carlin routines to the contrary. The Federal Communications Commission bans “obscenity” from being broadcast at any time. Obscenity is determined by a three-pronged test and involves community standards. “Indecent” and “profane” broadcasts are prohibited between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM (local time). Click the link for definitions of the three concepts.
The first time I ever remember hearing “penis” on a network broadcast was when “sexpert” Dr. Ruth Westheimer said the word during an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman on NBC in the 1980’s, and explained that she believed in using clinical terms for clarity, as well as to reduce the shame surrounding discussion of sexual matters. The John Bobbitt case opened the floodgates, so to speak, on what is now the more-or-less casual use of the term for the male organ.
“Pissed” is another word that somehow went from being taboo to commonplace. I don’t recall any watershed events surrounding that term’s growing acceptance, however.
When the police drama Cagney and Lacey debuted in 1984, Cal Thomas wrote a column in which he expressed dismay that the premiere featured one of the women talking of getting her “tits fluffed”. On *The Tonight Show{/i] and similar programs, I’ve noticed a double standard related to the word – women (Emma Thompson being one remembered example) are allowed to say “tits”, while it’s bleeped when a guy (Dennis Miller, e.g.) obviously utters it.
The first network broadcast of “asshole” was when Annie Hall was first shown on network TV (probably around 1978). The word is used in the film, and Woody Allen insisted the film be shown uncut. ABC had additional operators on duty to handle complaints.
Turned out there were very few complaints. The most complaints came from people who objected that the film was being shown out of sequence: it didn’t follow chronological order, and some people couldn’t understand that.
I actually remember back to the early 1990’s when there was a short-lived TV series starring John Candy called Uncle Buck. I seem to recall a rather large controversy at the time when the word “suck” was used in one of the episodes. Then I remember the standards being eased even more when Beavis and Butthead became popular on MTV, and words such as “dumbass” and “asswipe” somehow became acceptable. It’s interesting how much TV can change in just one decade. What will TV be like in 2014? :eek:
Much of the difference is that the broadcast networks are regulated by the FCC while cable networks aren’t. The latter are free to set their own rules and practices, which is why they vary so much and are so inconsistent even internally.
Hugh Hefner said it on SNL in 1977 (and they jokingly put up a PLEASE STAND BY card for a few seconds).
I can remember that CBS (I think) let ‘bullshit’ be said when they first aired the film Network sometime around 77-78. They sort of had to because the character was saying it on a newscast on TV in the movie (if you know what I mean). And they let Faye Dunaway’s character say it once ‘behind the scenes’ as well.
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Its amazing that, some 25 years later, everything in that movie has come true short of a TV host being assasinated on-air for low ratings.
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It wasn’t just the word, but the fact that like a 10 year old girl was going to say it that made this controversial.
I can remember the first time the syndicated special “Scared Straight” aired on WPIX here in NY. It was hard-core convicts talking to juvenile delinquints and anything went as far as language! MF’s, CS’s, you name it.
Because the FCC has no jurisdiction over cable they can make their own rules. Comedy Central has been showing hard R-rated stuff at 1am for almost a year now (the South Park movie, Richard Pryor concerts, all completely uncut).