It was interesting to watch the “Friends” rerun last night that went to great lengths (no pun intended) to not have the characters say the word “circumsized.” I guess some of the comedy was watching them find other ways to communicate the word, sort of like the “Master of Your Domain” episode of “Seinfeld.” (I consider that one of the funniest half hours of TV ever.) But it got me thinking – is there a list of words you can’t say on network TV? Are there different rules for comedies and dramas? And why can you make a show’s plot based on something – like whether or not Joey is circumsized – but not be able to say the word? We live in a messed-up society.
Archives
- January 2022
- September 2021
- June 2020
- June 2018
- February 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- June 2004
- May 2004
- February 2004
- January 2004
- December 2003
- November 2003
- October 2003
- September 2003
- August 2003
- July 2003
- June 2003
- May 2003
- April 2003
- March 2003
- February 2003
- January 2003
- December 2002
- November 2002
- October 2002
- September 2002
- August 2002
- July 2002
- June 2002
- May 2002
- April 2002
- March 2002
- February 2002
- January 2002
- December 2001
- November 2001
- October 2001
- September 2001
- August 2001
- July 2001
- June 2001
- May 2001
- April 2001
- March 2001
- February 2001
- January 2001
- December 2000
- November 2000
- October 2000
- September 2000
- August 2000
- July 2000
- June 2000
George Carlin has a list of words you can’t say on network television — I won’t repeat them, even though I have the list memorized.
I know that list too. But the words “circumcision” and “masturbation” don’t seem to be in the same league as Carlin’s.
I remember that episode.. it was pretty funny, but also kind of insensitive to the issue of mutilating children’s genitals. But I guess that’s not what Friends is there for, and I can’t find my soapbox at the moment.
Anyway back on topic. I have heard both words on broadcast TV. I think that what you saw in this episode was just self-censorship in order to avoid angering sponsors.