The PTC Will Have A Real "B----" On Their Hands

[DToTheJ]

We all remember how the PTC overreacted to the William Shatner vehicle "$#*! My Dad Says" when CBS aired it last season.

Allow me to present another title that Tim Winter and the gang are going to have a field day with: "Don't Trust The B---- In Apartment 23", which just missed the cut on ABC's midseason schedule.

Somehow, I don't think that's going to stop the PTC.

A few months ago, I reckoned that they might have their hands full with a new program in development for the Starz cable network titled "T*ts In The Pits"; some argue that there might not be a lot of meat on the bone for PTC to chew on, given it's on a premium cable channel. So expect the PTC to overlook the "t*ts" and have the "b----" squarely in their crosshairs.

 

[LKellerIII]

Uh...I think you can say "bitch" on network TV these days...and also on this board.

 

[JayR]

We all remember how the PTC...

The "doosh" bags are running wild as always...

 

[dhett]

Tilting at windmills again, I see.

Considering that the PTC uses the word "bitch" on its own website, while stronger language gets the "s-word" and "f-word" treatment, I think your chances are pretty good for being wrong once again.

 

[Markxxx]

They're probably objecting to the title, rather than the word itself.

 

[dhett]

Nobody has objected to anything - nor do I believe that the PTC will. But everyone needs a bogeyman, I guess...

 

[DToTheJ]

For the record, I am seeing the title of the show in media articles (such as the ones I linked in the original post) with the word "bitch" edited. Granted, "bitch" (which, for the record, I have now written twice in the same post now) is not one of the infamous "seven dirty words" but the fact that it is being edited in the show's own title (much like on Shatner's old show) might give the PTC an incentive to take action. That is where I'm coming from on this.

 

[dmargalotti]

For the record, I am seeing the title of the show in media articles (such as the ones I linked in the original post) with the word "bitch" edited.

If other organizations are choosing to edit the word "bitch" in their stories, why aren't you being critical of them for their conservative stance based on the actions they've already taken as opposed to going after the PTC for something you think they might do?

 

[LKellerIII]

The reason you are seeing the word "bitch" edited, from what I understand - is because the network initially went with the entire title, then decided to give it the "______" treatment...censor it in other words - but has changed their decision again, and decided to keep "bitch" in the title.

IMO, censoring it makes it even more problematic. It means that people would use their imagination, and substitute even more censorable words...like the C word, for instance.

 

[dhett]

IMO, censoring it makes it even more problematic. It means that people would use their imagination, and substitute even more censorable words...like the C word, for instance.

By censoring the word, they're admitting that they think they're being naughty, and so, draw attention to it? You may be right.

Myself, I think that using the full word will more likely make it objectionable to the public, increasing the chances that the PTC will get involved. Plus, it takes the rhyme out of the title, and makes it sound coarse instead of clever. Just my opinion.

As to whether it's good or bad if the PTC gets involved, I say neither. That's their area of interest, and I would no less expect the PTC to voice a dissent against what they and their members consider objectionable than I would the NAACP if a show were to come out with the "n-word" in the title, or even the censored "N-----".

 

[LKellerIII]

IMO, censoring it makes it even more problematic. It means that people would use their imagination, and substitute even more censorable words...like the C word, for instance.

By censoring the word, they're admitting that they think they're being naughty, and so, draw attention to it? You may be right.

Myself, I think that using the full word will more likely make it objectionable to the public, increasing the chances that the PTC will get involved. Plus, it takes the rhyme out of the title, and makes it sound coarse instead of clever. Just my opinion.

As to whether it's good or bad if the PTC gets involved, I say neither. That's their area of interest, and I would no less expect the PTC to voice a dissent against what they and their members consider objectionable than I would the NAACP if a show were to come out with the "n-word" in the title, or even the censored "N-----".

Your proposed analogy with the NAACP and the "N' word does not work. That word - when used by non-African Americans - represents hundreds of years of hate and oppression and would be immensely inappropriate in the title for a TV show - especially a comedy. It's different when the word is used in the context of a discussion, as it was recently in regard to that property where Rick Perry's family went hunting. Nobody objected to using the entire word in the context of that news story, though interestingly, I think it was Herman Cain who said it first.

the words "bitch" and "bastard" were censored from broadcast TV for a long time, but not in the last couple of decades. First of all, they have meanings apart from the pejorative. Nobody objects to the pejorative either - not even feminists, who don't hesitate to use it in regard to people they don't like. Recently, it's been popular to use the word on men.

I think "bitch" has been effectively neutralized - which doesn't mean PTC won't object - but if they do, they'll look stupid, in my opinion.

 

[quadraphonic]

For the record, I am seeing the title of the show in media articles (such as the ones I linked in the original post) with the word "bitch" edited.

If other organizations are choosing to edit the word "bitch" in their stories, why aren't you being critical of them for their conservative stance based on the actions they've already taken as opposed to going after the PTC for something you think they might do?

Most people think it's best to neutralize the PTC off the bat. Don't give them a chance to make the point.
Like someone else said they're a "boogeyman."

 

[kenglish]

Can I use the word "cockpit" here?
I couldn't on "Broadcasting and Cable" magazine's comment board. ;D

(Weird stuff, these censors.)

 

[landtuna]

I think "bitch" has been effectively neutralized - which doesn't mean PTC won't object - but if they do, they'll look stupid, in my opinion.

Used often enough, a word which was once inflammatory and shocking loses its ability to do either. Even words which were never cuss words went through this process on TV, radio and in the press.

What these words are capable of doing is making their speaker appear less competent in the use of the national tongue and therefore less intelligent - a badge to younger speakers but an embarrassment to mature ones (hopefully).

 

[LKellerIII]

Can I use the word "cockpit" here?
I couldn't on "Broadcasting and Cable" magazine's comment board. ;D

(Weird stuff, these censors.)

Some boards have censorship programs that are set to censor particular words. I recall that a couple of years ago, on this board, you couldn't say the full names of Charlie Van Dyke (radio DJ and voice-over guy), or actor Dick Van Dyke. But I think the IS guys corrected that, and took "dyke" out of the no-no list.

 

[DToTheJ]

I also recall a V-chip that was translating Dick Van Dyke's name through closed captioning as "Jerk Van Gay."

In addition to the two aforementioned "B" words, "p*ss" has also been accepted by the mainstream a lot in recent years - and that is one of them "seven dirty words." :-X

 

[JayR]

I also recall a V-chip that was translating Dick Van Dyke's name through closed captioning as "Jerk Van Gay."

That reminds me of some pro wrestling boards years ago where Dick was translated as Thingy...

No joke!

The following pro wrestlers had their names "translated":

Dick Slater=Thingy Slater
Dick Murdoch=Thingy Murdoch
Dick Togo=Thingy Togo

 

[dhett]

In addition to the two aforementioned "B" words, "p*ss" has also been accepted by the mainstream a lot in recent years - and that is one of them "seven dirty words." :-X

I think Carlin missed the mark on that one. Just a year prior to his "dirty words" monologue, the words "piss ant" were uttered on The Waltons, considered by many to be the paragon of family shows. By a child, no less (Elizabeth). Go back to 1611 English, and you'll find that word in the King James Bible - OK, it was 1611, so the word was actually "pisseth".

 

[BRNout]

The PTC? Really? Is that what we're concerned about here?

Interesting how they (the PTC) are vilified while there are some people in the streets giving speeches on how our government needs to be overthrown by violent revolution and how Macy's needs a molotov cocktail tossed through their window.

They don't even have any real power. You want to see power? Say something with even a nasty connotation about gays or about a minority group and you'll feel power come down on you like a pair of SS jackboots. Followed by your career being placed in the garbage disposal.

As 'problems' go, the PTC is one of the least of ours.

 

[firepoint525]

I believe the word "bitch" has become a little more acceptable since it has been used as a verb. Case in point, in Billy Joel's "Big Shot" the line, "don't come bitchin' to me." Although on the local AC station, that line has been changed to "cryin'."