The threads about making people vomit and the marathon runner crapping his pants got me to thinking about something I’ve wondered about for a long time:
Why is it okay (especially nowadays) to show someone vomiting on TV or in movies, but it’s not okay to show them taking a crap? South Park notwithstanding, I don’t think I’ve ever seen or heard of anyone pooping on film. I’m not talking about behind closed doors with sound effects. I mean actually watching the poop come out.
I’m not saying I want to, because I don’t (I’d rather not watch people puke, either, but that seems to be the new hot thing nowadays). Or maybe I just haven’t seen enough movies. But both pooping and puking are disgusting biological functions–why is one okay but not the other?
True, but they already show bare butts fairly often, even on TV. Showing someone pooping from the side wouldn’t even really require showing the whole butt, or any of the genitals. And I suspect that any TV show or movie that would show someone taking a crap wouldn’t have issues with nudity.
As vomiting is pretty much involuntary it’s less of a social taboo. We might prefer it were done in private and be disgusted with someone who doesn’t even try (because they’re too drunk or whatever) but we know that isn’t always possible.
I hate hate hate it when they gratuitously show people throwing up in films, on TV, whatever. It’s not funny, it’s just gross, and even when it’s meant to be gross there’s no need to show it in all its “glory”.
I think you should talk to whoever decided people would find butts attractive. I mean, imagine Angelina Jolie’s (or Brad Pitt’s if that’s your preference) nice butt. Now imagine that nice butt squeezing out remnants of dinner. Not very attractive now, is it? Of course, vomiting isn’t particularly attractive either and the mouth is an attractive area too…
Hm. I think this point is completely pointless now! Huzzah! :smack:
Pooping probably doesn’t have the narrative purpose that vomiting does. If you cut to a shot of someone vomiting, it could be the introduction to “the party scene” or “Bill really is sick at home” scene.
I remember a vomit shot in Clueless, which is used to introduce the “teen party” scene. Someone pukes into a swimming pool and, of course, all of the swimmers wade away quickly. This could be compared to the legendary candy bar scene in Caddyshack, where people quickly exited a pool to escape what they thought was a rogue turd. In both cases, it was a gross-out gag used for humor and to tell a little about the characters.
Watching people barf might make some of us crap our pants.
This could result in a chain reaction that would only be enjoyable for people hearing the story later on.
It doesn’t seem that difficult to simulate vomiting; just make heaving motions, and spit out some corn and peas that you have tucked away in your mouth. Simulating defecation is going to be a bit more difficult. Are directors going to make actors cram pre-formed stage dookies up their balloon knot?
The closest I’ve seen to depicting defecation in a movie or on television was a Sopranos episode, where Chris Moltisanti was trying to crack a safe. One of his goons was in a corner squatting. When the camera was away from the squatter, there were pooping sounds; unrealistic honks and toots, but nonetheless, it was the closest thing I’ve seen to shitting on TV. The Sopranos had several other near-pooping scenes.
(Thinking about it, The Sopranos also had the best barfing scene ever, where Adrianne projectile vomited at garden hose pressure all over an FBI boardroom table.)
There must be some kind of formal rule against showing someone taking a dump, or else they would have done it on E.R. already. I am sure that if the network or FCC censors would permit it, you’d see people shitting their pants, shitting on the examining table, shitting on the operating table, mental patients shitting in a McDonald’s bag and handing it to a nurse, homeless guys shitting in the new resident’s face as she tries to give a rectal…
Oh, I saw one movie I think would fit the bill. It’s a cute little gay indy romantic comedy called Adam & Steve.
To the extent possible, the scene isn’t too gross. One of the characters takes some drugs that were cut with laxatives, and the scene is meant to be very embarrassing for the character. He’s dancing around showing off and oops… assplosion.
If you’re open to cute gay indy romantic comedies, don’t be turned off. It’s important to the film.
Because pooping is about 30 times grosser than vomit. As a nursing student who sees both fairly regularly, I feel qualified to make that assessment. Also, taking a dump is a much, MUCH more private activity than vomiting – vomit in public, and people may be grossed, but they’ll feel sympathy. Poop in public, and, at best, people are backing away to avoid dealing with the situation – at worst, you’re getting arrested.
Now, stop and think. What celebrity do you have a crush on? Imagine them vomiting on film – probably, you’re okay with it. Now imagine them taking a visual shit on screen. Are we feeling our attraction wane a little?
I’m still pissed that I can watch people vomiting up rancid yak testicles on network TV during dinner time on Fear Factor and Survivor, but they have to censor it when a woman’s nipple slips out. We’ve got the worst of both worlds. Thanks concerned parents!
