Swearing doesn’t make the Grade
Posted by Stewart Turner
Fed up with the foul-mouthed tirades of TV chefs, comedians and desperate Big Brother contestants turning the airwaves blue? Well, it looks like you have an ally. ITV executive chairman Michael Grade has called for a clampdown on swearing after the 9pm watershed, claiming that bad language on TV has become "indiscriminate".
"I do think the prevalence of bad language such as the F-word is a little bit unrestrained," he said yesterday. "I am not calling for it to be banned but I don't think we take enough care over the use of the F-word and similar words.
"It used to be that you had to get very senior sign-off to use that word in any show. I am not sure what the rules are these days. Clearly not enough consideration is given to a very large section of the audience who don't want to hear that word or such words.
"You have to know where you are using it and give it some extra consideration. It seems to be indiscriminate now," Grade concluded.
Personally, I’m in agreement with Grade - but not from any particular sense of outrage or moral concern. Instead, and I cite Jamie Oliver as the prime offender, it seems to me there’s a whole host of TV presenters on the box spewing out the F-word simply to compensate for a lack of anything better or more interesting to say.
A decade or two ago, when the F-word was employed far more sparingly and appropriately on the box, it had a genuinely powerful effect. Now that we’re left with the likes of Jamie telling us we can knock up a lasagne in 30 seconds with “none of that f***ing roux white sauce”, there’s nothing left to shock us.
But what do you think? Is there too much swearing on TV? Tell us below.
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I find swearing very offensive and unnecessary. When the 'C' word is used in a programme I find it shocking, I dont want to hear it in my living room or anywhere in fact. And the 'F' word too, which seems to have become acceptable by the television hierarchy. I was bought up to believe that people swore because they didnt have the vocabulary to use the right words, but now I am told I am a prude, there was a time when it was considered a good thing men didnt swear in front of ladies, I mourn the loss of that time.
Posted by: Janet | 06 August 2009 at 08:44
Swearing has become so common place in this country that I dont think people realise they are using bad language. I hate it. I dont think the likes of Gorden Ramsay and Jamie Oliver should be allowed to get away with it. It shows a lack of education and manners.
Posted by: Pussycat | 16 December 2008 at 12:51
Whether people swear or not is obviously up the choice of the individual, but the simple facts are that people who choose to use swear words regularly in their speech show they are obviously to immature to talk like an adult. For those who like to use it so much, all I can say is GROW UP!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | 12 November 2008 at 02:20
Swearing on TV has been going on for a long time now it seems to be part of the english language with even the youngest in society swearing. But I do wish that the so called stars and entertainers just called time on it. We have such a beautiful language but it is getting ruined by the swearing. I would not mind so much if the people using these words could spell them right.
Posted by: annie | 10 November 2008 at 12:35
by now we ALL know what to expect, if you know you wont like it why watch?
Posted by: jojob | 10 November 2008 at 12:15
lets be honest.... you either dont give a monkeys if people swear or you really hate it.... if you hate it go watch something else theres plenty on without swearing and if you dont mind swearing then it IS rather funny, i love the things gordon ramsey comes out with hes hilarious and great to watch...
Posted by: buzzinator | 08 November 2008 at 21:27
oh dear biggsy, were you so reared to bad language as a child by your mom and dad that swearing means nothing any more to you? get a life,
theres no need for it,
if you cant be funny without swearing then your not funny at all.
Posted by: do1ro2@hotmail.com | 06 November 2008 at 14:11
I personally find it worse when they swear on shows like Paul O'Grady. This is a show that many young children enjoy watching.
Posted by: annoyed | 06 November 2008 at 11:43
Yes foul language is very prevalent these days especially amongst the young who use in in normal speach & not really as a swear word.When used on TV chefs & other celebs. are the same.Keep the extreme swear wordds only when the on-screen situation warants it
Posted by: tony hirst | 05 November 2008 at 15:41
Swearing may be a fact of life for some but it is still very offensive for many people. I do not wish to hear it everywhere I turn. I find it appalling to hear as many young people using foul language all the time, they sometimes don't realise they do so.It is not a fact of life , many people know how to converse appropriately and have no need to use offensive words. There is no need for as much bad language to be used on tv or films either!
Posted by: Pauline Dixon | 04 November 2008 at 22:37
Oh heaven forbid that nothing shocks us anymore! What a travesty, please tighten the controls on swearing so we can be even more indignant and complain even more vociferously when swear words are uttered!
Swearing is a fact of life; people swear. Swear words are just words, it's how people use them that matters. If it's used directly against someone then of course that is offensive, but so are words like fatty, shortstack or baldy, that aren't censored. Context is everything. There is no such thing as a bad word, just bad use of a word
Posted by: Biggsy | 04 November 2008 at 19:37