Why is the word "fück" edited out at certain points, but left intact at other points. In the end of episode 3, this happens in the same sentence! Why do this in the same sentence, what's the point?
I've noticed this at other points as well.
Why would this be done? It seems very odd.
I hadn't really noticed. Not saying it didn't happen, just nothing that happened enough to bother me or bring it to my attention.
shareThe censorship is almost making it unwatchable.
shareReally? Unwatchable?
Wow.
So you only watch shows that are filled with intense profanity?
Not even close to what I said. The show has the profanity in it. It's the sound drop in the middle of sentences I can't stand. It's distracting and obnoxious. That's what makes it almost unwatchable.
shareIt's distracting and obnoxious.
Basic cable is not bound by language the way the broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, FOX, CW, PBS, etc.) are... BUT they tend to follow guidelines for what is acceptable for a PG-13 movie most of the time, or what the industry might call as "soft R."
You can say one or two F words, but it is also context. Saying "F" like you would yell "darn" is acceptable, but by adding the "ing" as in F'ing that presents a slightly different context. This is because it is considered a "sexual context" which isn't allowed. Oddly, however you can say "screwing" and "banging" and be direct that you mean sex.
It was let through at the end of episode 2 at the very end, but I think that since the F word was already in that exchange that the show producers/History didn't want to push the envelope.
This issue of language has been discussed on other shows... so rather than retyping what I state... I'll just post it again:
The FCC does not regulate CABLE or SATELLITE. The FCC doesn't make laws, it has regulations.
What the Federal Communication Commission has regulation over is the public airwaves, which is why the FCC also oversees bandwidth for mobile phones. It was determined with radio and then TV that content had to be "safe" for all users/listeners/viewers. There have been so-called "safe harbors" such as the middle of the night.
The FCC has no jurisdiction over what is sent via cable, satellite or the Internet. This is why Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, etc. have basically followed the lead of HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc. to include language, nudity, etc. Where even those channels have to draw the line is in what is considered obscene vs. indecent. Most of what is on cable/satellite/streaming is actually indecent not obscene.
Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said the famous line, "I know it when I see it" to describe his threshold test for obscenity (pornography).
So it isn't the "free channels" exactly, apart from the fact that these are the broadcast channels carried OVER cable or satellite. The key is that they are still available via the airwaves even if most people now get ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CW, local broadcast channels, PBS, etc. via cable or satellite. The point is that these are broadcast.
A rule dates back to the 1980s that meant that cable HAD to carry the broadcast channels but in recent years the broadcasters want to be paid, which is why every so often ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX have been blacked out on cable/satellite. One of the most recent cases was when Time Warner Cable and CBS Viacom couldn't come to a deal and Time Warner simply blacked out ALL the Viacom channels including CBS but also Showtime.
It is true that basic cable, the channels typically with commercials, followed exactly the same rules that the broadcasters followed. Gradually cable took an edgier turn - South Park was among the first, but also It's Always Sunny and The Walking Dead.
What has really happened in that the audience has fragmented and the cable channels are allowing more through to compete. The content creators realize that most of the audience won't be turned off by language, and in fact if you're going to do certain shows you need to push the envelope.
What basic cable has mostly done is follow the PG-13 rules, which means one use of the F word and in a non-sexual context. The boundaries are being pushed carefully by each network.
Mr. Robot runs on USA and the season premier went with a few uses of the F word, but it was beeped out most of the rest of the season. History tends to beep out most strong language on its reality shows, but allowed more to be included with its show SIX.
The show that is really pushing the line right now is Taboo on FX, which has several F bombs an episode.
There have been discussed that Republican control of the FCC could change things, but I doubt that will happen because again the FCC doesn't regulate cable TV. There might be complaints but generally people accept harsh language as being more realistic.
So I hope that clarifies the point - and can you tell I had more than one broadcast law class.
Yea, most of us the FCC doesn't regulate content standards on cable.
I think it's so strange how TV people make so many self-imposed silly rules like we're living in 1955, and splitting hairs about the context of f-ck.