But It's All You Want

Screenshot from Videodrome

A long time ago, when there were only four channels and you had to buy a magazine to find out what was on, there was this show on satellite called The Simpsons. The description in What's On TV was "animated adult comedy series" and it was on at 8PM. So naturally, when the BBC started showing it in 1996 it was shown at 6PM - being animated, it of course lended itself to broadcast after the kid's slot. Channel 4 seemed to think similarly three years before they got the rights. Presidential contempt looks ridiculous once South Park came along. Still, If you think you can park kids in front of The Simpsons, let them watch 09x25. Don't go crying to Ofcom.

This is where the censorship starts. The BBC also considered Buffy The Vampire Slayer suitable for tea-time viewing, initially rated 12. A few seasons in, when it moved into 15 territory, unedited episodes would show around midnight. I recall one episode late in the series ran 10 minutes short. Channel 4 made a much bigger mistake with Angel. Doublethink in action. And whilst I'm here, how many letters must be censored from 'fuck' until it's suitable for broadcast? F*ck, f**k, f***, [bleep]? It's like a secret code for those old enough to be exposed to it, but then you should go undercover in any playground. What the **** is going on?

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