wallicar44

Hi, I'm somewhat new to the forums. I have recently gotten access to British TV I didn't used to be able to see here in the US and I've been pretty amazed at what can be broadcast in the UK. We have the FCC riding herd over broadcast television and only cable channels have the freedom to present anything that remotely approaches what you can see on British television in the way of frontal nudity, etc. On the other hand, I've seen a couple of threads where people have complained about the fines and decency laws in the UK. So where does the truth lie? Are we completely prudish in the US or I have just managed to download those couple of shows from the BBC or ITV that wouldn't make it anywhere but HBO if they were to be shown in the US?

And, I really don't go looking for the hot scenes. they just tend to show up in some of the dramas and mysteries I like to watch.

Just curious . . .

Steve Crook

The Radio Times (biggest listings magazine, been around since before TV) did a survey to find out what their readers thought were the biggest problems on TV.

Their main findings were:
Do you think there's too much swearing in TV?
Yes 69%; No 31%

Do you think there's too much sex on TV?
Yes 52%; No 48%

Do you think there's too much nudity on TV?
Yes 40%; No 60%
Their survey didn't have an option for "not enough"

Do you think there's too much violence on TV?
Yes 74%; No 26%

Which offends you most?
Violence: 45%
Swearing: 32%
Sex: 10%
Other: 10%
Nudity: 3%

So nudity and even sex didn't bother too many people here. It was the violence, followed by swearing that upset most people the most. And remember that it would mainly have been only the people who were upset by such things who would have bothered to take part in the poll.

All main broadcast channels that anyone can receive have a concept of a 9pm watershed when young children aren't meant to be watching after that. Subscription only channels don't even have that rule but most of them don't start broadcasting until 9pm or later. After that watershed, they are very relaxed and adult about what is allowed. If there is to be much violence, swearing, sex or nudity in a show then they give you a warning at the start and in the listings.

So, to answer your question "Are we completely prudish in the US?", in many ways, yes

Steve

oxfam1uk

All quite true.

But just to add that the concept of the watershed didn't come in until the 1980s. In the 1970s broadcasters were left almost entirely to make their own judgements about what should be broadcast when.

And it was fairly common to find violence, nudity and swearing on TV before 9 o'clock. It's entirely for you to decide whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, but I will say that one of the shows that stirred up the most controversy in this respect was "The Sweeney" - and it was also one of the most popular and successful shows of the decade !

What interests me is that, generally, most UK productions are now tamer than those of 30 years ago (except in the area of sex scenes, which don't seem to upset people so much !)

faginsgirl

Hi.

I`m not prudish but personally I get annoyed when there is unessesary sex, nudity and bad language on t.v.

Sure, if it is necessary and relevent to the the storyline but I see so much of it in film and t.v which is obviously just there because they can`t think of anything else to say in the dialogue or because they think people will be interested in seeing something erotic in front of them.

Sometimes sex or nudity is necessary i.e to show that a couple are having an affair which is part of or is the main storyline. Or if there is a peeping Tom in the neighbour hood i.e we see what he sees etc.

However, even when a couple are in bed I feel that it is enough to see them lying in bed together to get the jist rather than having five minutes of cringe worthy sex (by this I mean as much as they can get away with showing).

To me, a lot it is just time filling and a bit boring to be honest!

FG xx

We`re changin` lodggggggggings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wallicar44

I can honestly say, in the US, violence doesn't seem to be the issue. Incredibly violent movies get PG-13 ratings and most of the violence remains when the films are broadcast on television, subscription channel or not. My kids have seen buckets of blood and don't consider it scary. On the other hand, people (FCC, evangelical Christians, conservatives of all stripes and even the politically correct) get bent out of shape over the use of the F word or overt depictions of sex. Even not so overt. We had a little media tempest over a "wardrobe malfunction" not so long ago that more people saw because of the tempest than ever would have noticed it otherwise!

I keep finding ways in which our country's puritanical origins reassert themselves.

Marky B

I totally agree!
Ta Ta
Marky B

I am special. The heavens always open for me.

Wicked Lady

It's funny to see the fuss that was made out of a lone bosom in the States. And yet we showed that on breakfast TV in Australia.

I think sex scenes on TV are designed to get in the not-so-discerning viewer to watch an often lack-luster show. Like Page Three girls attracting 'news' readers.

EHV_Emmetts

The Friday Night With Jonathan Ross chat show the F word used to be bleeped out, but in the last couple of series it hasn't.

Mark O

Is it some sort of psychological relief when some People say 'effing' approximately every third or fourth word?........Sitting outside a London Pub a few Evenings ago that was the scenario amongst a group of 20 something Lads, i'm not bothered so much for myself but it's not pleasant for Ladies or young Children to keep being bombarded with that word I would have thought

Mark

Steve Crook

Puritanical and strongly religious
Most sensible politicians, well, the ones looking for most votes here, never mention religion.

Whereas here people get more upset by violence than they do by nudity or swearing. Swearing and nudity don't physically hurt people.

Steve

faginsgirl

Again, we come back to the lack of consideration and of respect for others in our society today!

xx

We`re changin` lodggggggggings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve Crook

Lack of vocabulary
They can't think of any other adjectives.
It's always been the case.

I prefer to save them for just occasional use - that way they're a lot more effective

Steve

Santonix

It's a shame they can't bleep Mr. Ross out. I am fed up of seeing interesting guests often used by Mr. Ross to highlight his own often filthy attempt at being witty.

Steve Crook

You also often hear it in early evening comedy shows like Mock the Week (BBC2) or 8 Out of 10 Cats (Channel 4). It's part of normal language for many people. See my response to Mark O above

Steve

Steve Crook

And not just when he swears

Steve