This is older reference, but there were tons of times when the TV show Seinfeld talked about sexual and adult themes and most every viewer who was "of age" knew exactly what they were speaking about or was being implied, but they stayed within the bounds of censorship for a broadcast network sitcom airing in prime time. For example, they had an episode where a guy got caught by his mom "doing the deed" and there was a financial bet between 3 guys and 1 woman throughout the remainder of that show to see which one could go the longest without "doing the deed". They discussed "the contest" throughout the episode and a lot was implied, but they never once used the actual terminology and they skirted the censors - but there was very little question to the viewers as to what was going on.
There were a number of examples throughout Seinfeld's run where that kind of thing took place.
Yeah---"shrinkage" was another. "They're real and they're fabulous." "Mulva?"
But the FCC has never been about suggestion or double-entendre. Just profanity/obscenity.
Network censors were there for one reason---to keep the network from losing revenue with advertiser pullouts. And the more society lightened up, the less there was for them to do.
In the middle 1970s, Don Pardo announced on SNL that Weekend Update was brought to you by "the makers of the world's first pre-carved pumpkin: Premature E-Jack-O-Lantern. Because Halloween will be over before you know it."
In the early 80s, on St. Elsewhere, in prime time, Dr. Craig (William Daniels) was trying his hand at racy fiction. "She walked into the music room with a bouquet in each arm. I told her "Put roses on the piano and tulips on the organ."
And in the late 80s, an episode of L.A. Law dealt with a criminal case involving the theft of prize bull semen. Deputy D.A. Grace Van Owen (Susan Dey) was questioned by the judge in open court why this was a criminal case. She explained that there was a great deal of science and expense involved. "They don't just send the bull behind the barn with a magazine and a mason jar, your honor."
And then, early 2000s, was According To Jim. Jim (Belushi) and his wife, Cheryl (Courtney Thorne-Smith) are trying to have a baby. His sperm count is low, so he's put on a special diet, plus no smoking, no drinking, no hot tubs. He hits a hole-in-one at the golf course, and celebrates by pigging out, smoking cigars and drinking---in a hot tub. The next morning he remembers that he's supposed to send in a sample to the doctor. So he bribes his brother-in-law to provide the sample, thinking he'll have time to get back to clean living before the next test.
But the doctor runs a DNA check and finds that the sample is related to Jim's wife. Doesn't take her and her sister long to figure out what happened...which leads to this scene at 8:30 p.m. in middle America:
The video cuts off before the final lines. Walking out the front door, brother-in-law says "And to think I pleasured myself on Jim's riding mower for this to happen." And the sister says "Is there anyplace you HAVEN'T pleasured yourself?" Brother-in-law shrugs as if to say "Good point". And then we go to black.
And that was 15+ years ago, so I think we can all stop thinking there's a taste standard.
