As Jonathan Ross prepares to make his return to the BBC and put the “Sachsgate” affair behind him, it seems the question of taste and decency on British television remains a hot topic.
Bad language and “bad taste” are two issues that regularly generate an increased level of discussion amongst viewers. As our Rated/Slated blog often showed last year, programmes like Jamie’s Ministry of Food and The F Word were never far from The TV Show’s radar thanks to the viewer comments their strong language generated.
This week, ITV will be broadcasting a Tonight Special that asks the question “Is TV too rude?” – Sir Trevor Phillips will be putting the question to a number of guests including the head of Channel 4, Julian Bellamy. Next week, comedian Frank Skinner presents a Panorama special on taste and decency. Skinner has interviewed officials from Ofcom for the programme, as well as broadcasting executives such as Bellamy and ITV chairman Michael Grade.
So, with such high profile discussions on the subject taking place, we wanted to put the question back to you. Do you think there is too much swearing on TV? Do you think levels of taste and decency are at an all time low? Or do you think there is now a culture of complaining about TV? Do you think that the views of the silent majority who want to watch such programmes are ignored? And if you’ve ever complained to a broadcaster, do you feel that your views have been listened to?
Please place your votes and make your feelings known – and if you’d also like to comment, you can do so below.
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I don’t think there’s enough swearing on TV! Well, kind of. Watching programmes like Eastenders it is laughable when it tries to portray itself as realistic, dealing with ‘real issues’ yet the characters use language you’d expect from a jolly old nan.
Swearing isn’t big nor clever but it is real life, and is part of every day language in day to day offices and work places so why clean it up on TV?
these people used in the ‘panel’ were generally old and out of touch – ask real people in the street – if something offends me i dont watch it !! the proof will be in the ratings.
Completely out of touch is what television executives are. I am a teacher and I hear swearing all day. But from whom? Kids of course! This is because it is either big or clever to them or they don’t have a fully developed vocabulary. I don’t hear it in the staff room, I don’t here it on the commute home, I don’t hear it in my house. So why on earth would I want to get home and relax in front of someone swearing at me (completely out of context)? I regularly have conversations with colleagues of my age group (30-40) who comment on the bad language on tv and admit to turning off. I conclude that channel 4 like others is kidding themselves that self expression like this is an everyday event. If this is not the case, and I am wrong, then I can only say that I am glad I don’t work for the channel because I can only assume that the air in the office and boardroom is constantly blue!
“Do you think there is too much swearing on TV?”
Yes I do, and I’m pleased that you call it swearing instead of “strong language”.
“Do you think ‘levels of’ (sic) taste and decency are at an all time low?
Levels of? Liguistic diarrhoea.
Yes, taste and decency are at an all time low. And they will sink even lower.
It’s yet another indication of the general decadence of a once great culture. They’ve come and gone, the Chinese, Egyptian and Roman to name just three.
There has been a continuous decline and erosion of standards (that’s what decadence is) in our society for decades and we are indubitably on the slope towards cultural anarchy, if not worse.
With every successive generation we have seen responsibility evaporate even more.
People no longer know how to behave in public, in schools or even in their own homes.
People simply don’t know, not only any different, but any better.
We’ve had our day in history.
“Do you think that the views of the silent majority who want to watch such programmes are ignored?”
I think the views of the people who care are being ignored, but I think the silent majority is largely made up of people who simply don’t care.
” …. if you’ve ever complained to a broadcaster, do you feel that your views have been listened to?”
I have complained, more than once. The response has been corporate waffle.
It has been said that a country gets the government it deserves. I believe that a country also gets the media it deserves.
If the populace’s cultural and moral sights are set low it should come as no surprise that this is echoed in the media.
G.B. R.I.P.
It’s just words – who deemed them offensive in the first place?
We can’t let the bandwagon jumping complaining campaign ruin British television – we don’t want to go the way of the Yanks, who’s only good stuff comes from uncensored cable channels such as HBO and Showtime.
We’ve got it about right here – the watershed works fine and it’s clear to everyone what any programme contains. Shows like Shameless and Skins just wouldn’t be reflective of British life if they were censored to the hilt.
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