TV Schedule

You Can't Say That on Television

  2. embed code
  3. RebeccaTraister
  4. related topics
This week there was a giant brouhaha over Jane Fonda's use of the c-word during her appearance on The View. The funny thing is, the only reason the word came up was in regards to a monologue about reclaiming it.
RebeccaTraister

21 responses // You Can't Say That on Television

  • http://current.com/items/88843009_jane_fonda_drops_the_...
    Succinct, engaging overview of the hilarity that ensued after you-know-what -- thanks, Ms. Traister!

    Have you ever seen the whole internet nervously allude to "the c-word" like this? This has been amazing.

    Anyway, although I expect the discussion to migrate over here, you should check out yesterday's back-and-forth (linked), as well.
    jennatar
  • i actually have had to explain that to a handful of people whom just heard of the part of of what jane fonda said and not the context

    ...and they still didnt get it.

    ive also found that almost more men i know in grand rapids have read books like cunt and the vagina monologues than women
    4dapunx
  • Bill was less scared of female genetalia when he was sexualy harrasing his coworker.
    ocanada
  • We can use any words that we like, this is America people! Tell the brain dead guys to back off, it's our bodies. Get a life. There are real problems out there, what's with this? Slow news night?
    juliebehr
  • Well, again we come to an over reaction of a small group of people against something that really doesn't affect them. Sometimes people just need to relax, and anyway what doesn't Bill O'Reilly hate, besides open mindness.
    saih86
  • Um ... Jane Fonda's not alone. There is an excellent book on that very word and about reclaiming it by Inga Muscio. If you look the author up on Amazon.com, you will find it. As for O'Reilly ... he's paranoid that him and his network's ratings are sinking. To the former viewers of that channel now watching this one- I salute ya'!
    wisegrrl
  • Wow. I honestly can't believe that there would be that big of a deal about the "c-word." I mean, seriously? He needs to grow some balls - whoops - I mean, he needs to grow some "b-word" and learn to deal.
    THEREisHOPE
  • good for her!!! It was not used in a derogatory sense...get the f' over it!!!
    AlyNiev
  • What a farce! CUNT is a word that has been a part of the English from before it was a written language. The whole affair reads like it was lifted from an episode of South Park where the world was going to morally and perhaps even physically collapse if too many people said SHIT all at once.
    That the world's self proclaimed super power has to spend large amounts of gold via the FCC and other public morality watchdogs to ensure the purity of the publically spoken word defies belief. What is the difference between puritanical America and puritanical Saudi Arabia? Not much by the sounds of it at least in certain areas. What next ; public toilet inspectors counting the number of shakes of wipes after taking a PISS? Three wipes and your out!

    As to Mr. O'Reilly is he better describes as "a circular muscular ring terminating the exterior end of the large colon" or just simple ASSHOLE?
    cavlos
  • It's in the nature of polemics... Profit-oriented news outlets thrive on polemics and they're very fast at spotting one (especially if it involves any kind of celebrity). Any media that jumps on the wagon is a culprit and should be collectively discredited...
    Current TV can flog itself too (at least a little) for featuring this topic... When the snake bites its tail, we end up turning around in circles.

    Jane Fonda can say any word she wishes... even more so if it's the title of a play. (Kinda hard to use asterisks on live television.)

    But please stop giving money (watching, reading, etc) polemic-oriented media outlets.
    phpory
  • Its not the polemics that is of interest but rather the psychological background that the current tempest fits into. As I understand it, somewhere in the deep and distant past James Dobson and others of his ilk mounted a campaign to preserve the innocence and purity of the American mind. One of the paths the took was to coerce/bribe/convince the FCC that a list of objects such as the human breast (female only) buttocks(any flavor) full frontal genitalia could not be displayed on broadcast TV. Along with the purity in pictures campaign there was a list of words that was also defined that had to either be omitted or "beeped" over. If it wasn't for the seriousness that some people attach to such trivia, the whole scene would be exceedingly funny.
    Unfortunately it is not funny . At the very best millions are being spent on something that has no useful purpose other than to further expose the collective silliness of some segments of the population. At worst the whole process is just another attack at freedom of speech, something that should be protected above all.
    cavlos
  • ITS A WORD!

    FUCK
    SHIT
    CUNT
    BITCH
    ASS
    NIGGER
    RAPE
    TITS
    GAYS

    FUCKSHITCUNTASSRAPEBITCHNIGGER!


    I hope someone else thinks the US attitude to swearing is quite funy in contrast to their explosive desire for porn and violence.
    Social_Fuzz
  • thats fuckin stupid, you cant say CUNT on t.v, How would that be offensive to anyone. I think some people look for a reason to be a fuckin dick.
    GGSK
  • So by saying "you cant say cunt on TV" you are adhering to the view that TV influences people to the extent that now EVERYONE is going to flagrantly use the word "cunt".

    I'm sorry. But i agree on a watershed mark for the use of language on the grounds of trying not encourage children to use language some deem inappropriate. But please, take a walk and try and pass a group of kids. I think you would be surprised about the amount of "fuck this, fuck thats" you hear.

    If your child doesn't understand the necessity for social conformity when language is concerned then smack the brat. People are way to lax about punishing their kids.

    And if you are offended by a mere word and not when the latest headlines read "millions starving in Africa..... Millions obese in America" Then your morals and values are a bit skewed.

    The show was a womans talk show. Talking about the "Vagina monologues". Cunt is just mere terminology. And what kid would be watching that?

    And yes, I am a dick. (if that was aimed at me)
    Social_Fuzz
  • Big deal! There really are bigger issues in the world than this. It's not the 1st (or last) time anyone will ever say it and other "inappropriate words."
    HyperPepper
  • While I freely cuss like a sailor with my group of friends. I am take care not to use foul or colorfull language in the presence of children, my grand parents and MY MOTHER. It's a matter of respect. Which for the American public at large Hanoi Jane does not.
    duke49660
  • if two black kids refer to each other as "nigger" in an endearing way, its not bad. If I call them that, it's awful.

    the word "cunt" is not as widely used as an endearing term, mostly as a horrible insult to woman, but in the context jane used it, everybody who is too ignorant to actually read the story behind it can go suck a big fat one.

    cunt that is.

    haha!
    samonster34
  • I honestly can't understand why people are so afraid of a word like "cunt". It's not a pretty word, and it is often used in particularly ugly ways, but as others here have said, it's just a word. It can't really hurt you, especially not when used in a neutral context the way that Fonda did.

    Do people ever stop to think about why they react so badly to it? Are they afraid of what the word refers to? Are they afraid that children will start using the word (if they don't already), and embarrass their parents? Are they afraid everyone will go cunt-crazy and bring the American economy to a standstill? What is at stake, here?

    Words like "cunt" have power over us because we choose to let them. I suspect the real problem is that it makes people think about sex and sex is dirty and good people don't talk about sex so if you use that word you're not a good person and not-good people scare us and shouldn't be on TV. It's an affront to small-minded people's sense of propriety.

    I'm a little disappointed that someone felt the need to prevent us from hearing Rebecca Traister say "cunt". What's up with that?
    jontv
  • Wait just one minute. This is a matter of respecting others. If Hanoi Jane or any other person wants to go on FX, TBS or any other cable channel and swear until they are blue in the face. Good for them. Not at 9am on network TV. I do not know if it have happened but, I hope the FCC fines her the same as they woud Howard Stern or Bob & Tom.
    duke49660
  • I don't know what this has to do with "respect". Is it disrespectful to say a word people don't want to hear on television? How do you know who's watching and what words they find disrespectful?

    I don't find the word "cunt" to be disrespectful, and I don't expect people on TV to respect my sensibilities. Again, as I asked before, what harm is actually done?
    jontv
  • Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting that people on television should be encouraged to use language that is widely considered obscene.

    But neither do I think it's a great social tragedy when something like this happens by accident. This reminds me of the great Super Bowl controversy over Janet Jackson's breast. If seeing a nipple or hearing the word "cunt" is going to destroy a child's moral fiber, there is something wrong with that child's moral fiber.

    Personally, I find it disrespectful when advertisers speak in the 2nd person, telling me what I think and what I want. They are wrong 99% of the time. But I don't expect them to stop any time soon.
    jontv

Add your response

Login/Registration is required to add a response.