Just watched an episode of TBS show "Sullivan and Son" (The Monkey Plate) where the word '****' was used, in the very last sentence of the episode "Clean that **** up." Earlier in the episode was the word 'dick" used in a sexual content.

Are so called "dirty words" being allowed on basic cable now? Was there an FCC ruling on that?

The cable industry has always set it's own decency standards, the FFC has no regulation. The four letter S word has become universally acceptable amongst the industry and it's showing up in a lot of shows.

Many words that were once considered dirty are now even allowed on broadcast TV. The S-Word, The B-Word and The D-Word, all once considered off-limits are now used on broadcast TV and cable on a regular basis.

Yes, cable TV isn't as regulated as broadcast TV, but in the last decade or so they've started regulating some of it. The only thing not regulated right now is Pay cable (HBO, Showtime, etc) and the internet.

Many words that were once considered dirty are now even allowed on broadcast TV. The S-Word, The B-Word and The D-Word, all once considered off-limits are now used on broadcast TV and cable on a regular basis.

Yes, cable TV isn't as regulated as broadcast TV, but in the last decade or so they've started regulating some of it. The only thing not regulated right now is Pay cable (HBO, Showtime, etc) and the internet.

...yet!

But I hope that never happens. Cable can say the seven curse words that George Carlin talked about at a certain time such as the wee hours.

Just watched an episode of TBS show "Sullivan and Son" (The Monkey Plate) where the word '****' was used, in the very last sentence of the episode "Clean that **** up." Earlier in the episode was the word 'dick" used in a sexual content.

Are so called "dirty words" being allowed on basic cable now? Was there an FCC ruling on that?
I was surprised at what they were allowed to say, FX is the same way. On Syfy they can say everything accept the "F" word.

Even the N word?? (In todays Politically correct nonsense world that might cause an issue!)

The "s word" has been allowed on basic cable for a while. I think the only word off-limits now is the f word, but there were actually quick, uncensored f-bombs on both Louie and Mad Men this past spring so maybe even that's changing?

On broadcast TV you still can't say "the s word", and you also can't say "a-hole". You can say "the d word" but only if it's referring to a person and not the male genitalia. Kind of dumb!

Even the N word?? (In todays Politically correct nonsense world that might cause an issue!)
And rightfully so.

The FCC has been inconsistent with their enforcement especially in the post-George Bush era. In the years after the 2003 Superbowl (Janet Jackson incident) they were much more harsh in their enforcement of curse words, and they went overboard. BUT in the years since Obama took over the FCC hasn't been as willing to enforce harsh rulings. In fact, CBS is still fighting the FCC over the fine they were ordered to pay for the Jackson superbowl incident.

I know that on the USA Network, there is a drama titled Suits which uses the word "$#*t", uncensored, around 14 to 16 or more times per episode. Other dramas on the USA Network have started using the word "$#*t", like Covert Affairs and Graceland.

I just watched the premiere of Intruders on BBC America and they didn't censor s#!t which is interesting because they've done it in the past.

Stuff seems to be getting worse........... (More harsh language on MSM tv)

Some think that bad language equals quality. I don't get it.

I wish I could remember the program that contained nudity (naked woman walking around). My husband and I were both a little shocked because of the channel it was on, pretty sure it was a regular network like Fox or CBS but it's been a while back and I don't remember.

It seems to me just about anything goes on TV these days which is why we watch very little of it. We don't cuss and we don't care to hear it, it certainly doesn't enhance movies and TV shows so we don't get it.
I have noticed they'll say GD with ease on shows but beep out something MUCH less offensive like S**t. :rolleyes:

We are in the age group networks target and I think the stuff is trash. I hate to think what TV and movies will be like in a few years, we can't tolerate most of it now.

I was told when I was a kid that Swearing showed a lack of intelligence, morals and a limited vocabulary. I know some people that work at the hospital with me that have horrible potty mouths and they are highly intelligent. So I lean more towards believing it's their lack of morals, respect for themselves and others. ;)

You can't say f word on basic cable, I think only on channels like HBO, Showtime.

Some think that bad language equals quality. I don't get it.
I don't think anyone has ever made that argument. The argument is that some shows would be unrealistic if they weren't allowed to use bad language. No one would believe The Sopranos if it had a bunch of mobsters sitting around saying "crap" and "freakin".

Personally I find violence much more objectionable than language, yet the restrictions on that are much tamer. If we can watch someone getting shot in the brains on Criminal Minds, is the f word really that big of a deal?

I don't think anyone has ever made that argument. The argument is that some shows would be unrealistic if they weren't allowed to use bad language. No one would believe The Sopranos if it had a bunch of mobsters sitting around saying "crap" and "freakin".

Personally I find violence much more objectionable than language, yet the restrictions on that are much tamer. If we can watch someone getting shot in the brains on Criminal Minds, is the f word really that big of a deal?


I'm with you on this one Emojoe!

I wish I could remember the program that contained nudity (naked woman walking around). My husband and I were both a little shocked because of the channel it was on, pretty sure it was a regular network like Fox or CBS but it's been a while back and I don't remember.

It seems to me just about anything goes on TV these days which is why we watch very little of it. We don't cuss and we don't care to hear it, it certainly doesn't enhance movies and TV shows so we don't get it.
I have noticed they'll say GD with ease on shows but beep out something MUCH less offensive like S**t. :rolleyes:

We are in the age group networks target and I think the stuff is trash. I hate to think what TV and movies will be like in a few years, we can't tolerate most of it now.

I was told when I was a kid that Swearing showed a lack of intelligence, morals and a limited vocabulary. I know some people that work at the hospital with me that have horrible potty mouths and they are highly intelligent. So I lean more towards believing it's their lack of morals, respect for themselves and others. ;)


Was it Charlotte Ross on "NYPD Blue"? The controversy caused networks to tone down on nudity. Now on VH-1's "Dating Naked" they show bare backsides and have a famous case where they forgot to blur a woman's entire bent over rear (and when I "entire" I really mean that).

They usually use stuff like language on cable in abundance and then switch it over to broadcast because viewers in general tend to become desensitized to it. People nowadays in general curse openly in public many times more than they did in the 70's and 80's. I hear people on cell phones in stores talking loudly and dropping the "f-bomb" at will.

Was it Charlotte Ross on "NYPD Blue"? The controversy caused networks to tone down on nudity. Now on VH-1's "Dating Naked" they show bare backsides and have a famous case where they forgot to blur a woman's entire bent over rear (and when I "entire" I really mean that).

They usually use stuff like language on cable in abundance and then switch it over to broadcast because viewers in general tend to become desensitized to it. People nowadays in general curse openly in public many times more than they did in the 70's and 80's. I hear people on cell phones in stores talking loudly and dropping the "f-bomb" at will.

I always found the NYPD Blue violations by the FCC to be really silly. It was aired at 10pm when children have long been asleep, and I hardly doubt any reasonable adult would be mortally wounded or offended by a rear end being shown after 9pm on a show that was clearly for adults and that had warnings aired before each episode about the nudity and language.

I've heard the "f" word in USA's 'The Sinner' and also Lifetime's 'You' before it moved to Netflix.

I've heard the "f" word in USA's 'The Sinner' and also Lifetime's 'You' before it moved to Netflix.

I was also recently surprised to hear the "F-word" on CNN recently.

I usually have closed captions turned on, so that I can pick out words that otherwise get drowned out by background music.

The other night I was watching "The Rock" on one of the standard cable channels, and found it amusing that the profanities were intact on the audio track, but were replaced with "- - - -" on the closed captioning.

I've also seen them sub-in the words "unintelligible" or "garbled" in the closed captioning in place of profanities.

I wish I could remember the program that contained nudity (naked woman walking around). My husband and I were both a little shocked because of the channel it was on, pretty sure it was a regular network like Fox or CBS but it's been a while back and I don't remember.

It seems to me just about anything goes on TV these days which is why we watch very little of it. We don't cuss and we don't care to hear it, it certainly doesn't enhance movies and TV shows so we don't get it.
I have noticed they'll say GD with ease on shows but beep out something MUCH less offensive like S**t. :rolleyes:

We are in the age group networks target and I think the stuff is trash. I hate to think what TV and movies will be like in a few years, we can't tolerate most of it now.

I was told when I was a kid that Swearing showed a lack of intelligence, morals and a limited vocabulary. I know some people that work at the hospital with me that have horrible potty mouths and they are highly intelligent. So I lean more towards believing it's their lack of morals, respect for themselves and others. ;)

You said it Patty Duke! I feel the same although always felt swearers can't find any other word to say so they swear. I find no humor in swearing. People can be comical and use other funny words and get the same point.

I was the OP of the thread.

There is a new show from Apple TV about a morning news show with Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and a bunch of beautiful people working in a very high stress environment. Not giving away too much.

I am enjoying the show but it seems that most sentences of any dialogue has the “f word” in it. Like “I have been in this fking business for 18 fking years! Fky, fk! fk!” I find it to be a gross overuse of the word, especially from characters with high degree of education and intelligence. I do not mind the word at all, I use it about everyday to certain people. But it is overused.

In my opinion these channels use this language because they can. It’s “Adult” somehow. The Mary Tyler Moore Show was also adult and they never swore.

I was the OP of the thread.

There is a new show from Apple TV about a morning news show with Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and a bunch of beautiful people working in a very high stress environment. Not giving away too much.

I am enjoying the show but it seems that most sentences of any dialogue has the “f word” in it. Like “I have been in this fking business for 18 fking years! Fky, fk! fk!” I find it to be a gross overuse of the word, especially from characters with high degree of education and intelligence. I do not mind the word at all, I use it about everyday to certain people. But it is overused.

In my opinion these channels use this language because they can. It’s “Adult” somehow. The Mary Tyler Moore Show was also adult and they never swore.

(wonders about how to define "Adult" and "adult" in this message; does not believe in using certain words that could be described as "dirty words" in profane or vulgar ways)

I've noticed that in recent years, too. I'll hear something and be lie, "They can say that now?" It does add a sense of realism, though, so there's that.

This new show with Reece Witherspoon and other well known actresses. Just hearing a show like this makes me sure NOT to watch the show. I don't need that. If a show with swearing is suppose to funny and be true to life, I sure will pass.

It’s called “The Morning Show” and just finished the first season. Also has Steve Carell in an interesting role.

I liked the show but every last sentence had the “f-word” in it. I wasn’t so much offended as annoyed about this. Granted, the characters in the series are in an extremely stressful environment but it’s ridiculous. I understand the word and context implicitly if the scene and the mood of the person demands it.

I am a big fan of many movies with the “f-word” in it. “Goodfellas” and “The Big Lebowski” come to mind immediately. But just many many films. I think some people are more insulted by the f-word more than the s-word because the f-word has sexual connotations.

“But to the writers of the series “The Morning Show”, can we fking please cut down on the fking use if the word fk? Not all fking adult fking talks like this, especially fking professional people in this fking show. I would like to watch TV with my fking elderly parents and/or my fking kids, and using fking profanity doesn’t make you fking edgy or fking hip. Good dialogue does.”

That is what this show sounds like to me, and I would love to send this letter or email if they would read it.