Chavs, Bad Language and Television

steeljack · 06-04-2009, 01:18

Bear with me , there have been loads of posts on here about the use of bad language in public places,all critical, there have also been posts raving about a couple of BBC television programs (Ashes to Ashes and Torchwood) .
Last night BBC America showed episodes of both these programs for the first time , wow , never would have believed the BBC would allow such language , its no wonder "effing and blinding" is so common in British culture if this is the norm for entertainment .
People talk about the dumbing down of education , but to my mind this is worse ..this is the dumbing down of an entire nations culture.
Not sure I would ever say this , but maybe Mrs Whitehouse was a little bit right in her thinking .

and YES my TV does have an off switch

Mancie · 06-04-2009, 02:48

"effing and blinding" has always been here.. when at school the swearing was eveyday language.. but it stopped as soon as you went home.. I don't think it makes any difference how much swearing is on TV... I would be suprised if my lads did not swear.. but they never swear in front of me.. and I don't need to press the off button...maybe it's down to respect, I swear...but not in front of my family.

steeljack · 06-04-2009, 03:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mancie

"effing and blinding" has always been here.. when at school the swearing was eveyday language.. but it stopped as soon as you went home.. I don't think it makes any difference how much swearing is on TV... I would be suprised if my lads did not swear.. but they never swear in front of me.. and I don't need to press the off button...maybe it's down to respect, I swear...but not in front of my family.

yep , I agree with what your saying , kids do know these words , but you don't use them in front of your kids and would probably be upset if people visiting your home also used bad language .......so why is it acceptable for people to think its ok for family viewing ,not sure what times the programs I used as examples were aired on UK TV , but get the impression Torchwood is a spin off from Dr. Who, which in 'my day' was shown on Childrens hour

maybe some of the American puritanism is starting to rub off on me

Mancie · 06-04-2009, 04:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by steeljack

maybe some of the American puritanism is starting to rub off on me

Is there any such thing?..most of the violence and swearing appears in Hollywood blockbusters... the myth of the American puritan was blown away centuires ago and I doubt anyone here has heard of it!

pipinfort · 08-04-2009, 14:30

Torchwood is an `adult` spin off of Doctor Who and is shown after the watershed (9pm) over here as is Ashes To Ashes........what time of day were they shown over there Steeljack?

steeljack · 08-04-2009, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipinfort

Torchwood is an `adult` spin off of Doctor Who and is shown after the watershed (9pm) over here as is Ashes To Ashes........what time of day were they shown over there Steeljack?

Saturday night early evening line up line up on BBC America , Torchwood 5 pm, Ashes to Ashes 6 pm , Graham Norton 7 pm .

there was also a 6 hour 'marathon' of Ashes to Ashes , 6 episodes shown back to back which ran from noon to 6 pm on Sunday afternoon .

....just as an aside , the male cops (the main actor) dialog is usually accompanied with subtitles , something the BBC does with other programs where 'strong' accents are involved

pipinfort · 08-04-2009, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by steeljack

Saturday night early evening line up line up on BBC America , Torchwood 5 pm, Ashes to Ashes 6 pm , Graham Norton 7 pm .

there was also a 6 hour 'marathon' of Ashes to Ashes , 6 episodes shown back to back which ran from noon to 6 pm on Sunday afternoon .

Does seem a little early really.....

....just as an aside , the male cops (the main actor) dialog is usually accompanied with subtitles , something the BBC does with other programs where 'strong' accents are involved

Thats brilliant, although i can see how it would be needed....

jaysay · 09-04-2009, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipinfort

Thats brilliant, although i can see how it would be needed....

That's what happens when you get Mancockney accents

katex · 09-04-2009, 10:11

Have you watched 'The Wire' ??? Now being broadcast on BB2 Tues/Wedns @ 11.20 p.m.

Not watching myself; son had this series on DVD when he came over at Christmas. Apart from the complicated plots of drug busting ... the 'effin' in that is beyond belief. Think the directors at told them to swear when ever they felt the urge.

Had to ask son to turn the sound down, as certainly offended my ears, but does seem to have a following.

steeljack · 09-04-2009, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

Have you watched 'The Wire' ??? Now being broadcast on BB2 Tues/Wedns @ 11.20 p.m.

Not watching myself; son had this series on DVD when he came over at Christmas. Apart from the complicated plots of drug busting ... the 'effin' in that is beyond belief. Think the directors at told them to swear when ever they felt the urge.

Had to ask son to turn the sound down, as certainly offended my ears, but does seem to have a following.

No , think its broadcast on one of the premium channels (HBO, Showtime etc.) where you pay an extra premium on your monthly cable bill . Have 200 channels on my basic line up , and theres still "nowt on to watch"