Swearing in Outdoor TV: Yes, No, or It Happens?
Swearing does happen – especially when that shot doesn’t go right or something just spooked your 10-pointer. A quick under-the-breath word is said – or maybe its more of a shout in anger. Either way, for a G-Rated cable network, all swear words must be bleeped out. Unfortunately, most intelligent people can still figure out what was said and that leaves them offended.
Many a time I’ll receive an email from an unhappy viewer asking about swearing on a particular show. That we are to, somehow, ‘put a leash’ on that host. Also unfortuantely, it doesn’t happen that way.
Since most shows are independently produced, each producer – and host – (sometimes one in the same) get to decide if they want to completely cut that part out or if its an integral part of the show.
For some hosts, its a part of their “I’m-a-bad-ass-and-you-can’t-tell-me-otherwise” personality – like Brian “Pigman” Quaca of “Pigman: The Series” or Conway Bowman of “Fly Fishing the World.” Who knew killing pigs and catching trout is so B.A.? (Reference to bad ass for you Dane Cook fans.)
Those same viewers complain that Sportsman Channel is, in fact, not a G-rated network because we even allow the bleeping to happen. Well, its in the guidelines and yes, the network can.
But isn’t this one of those conversations like ethics in hunting? Should we even have bleeped-out voices on outdoor television? Don’t we already have enough to deal with that we need to portray ourselves as a bunch of angry, stressed out, B.A’s?
Or, are we reaching a different demo with this tactic? The ones who write-in are families – they have kids watching our programming. But its the 20-something year-old men we are trying to reach. And do they think nothing of it and maybe even expect it? Much like the harder rock music more and more shows are using?
I’m not sure there is a right or wrong here. Personally, I would rather NOT see the bleeping on outdoor programming. I agree it should be family programming for your 8-year-old to watch with you and seeing that host let loose a string of bleeps is just plain unprofessional.
What do you think?
Not going to lie…as a MGR for Pig Man, its a difficult predicament that we have to give consideration to. Case in point, we complain as viewers that hosts are not authentic…they’re fake…will say anything for money. Then in the same breath, we complain that they aren’t fake enough, that we would rather them be someone they aren’t and portray them selves as non-swearing, non-beer drinking robots that make a 100% ethical shot every time at which the animal expires and disappears like a video game. My guy, Pig Man, is who he is which is what makes him such a marketable commodity in the outdoor industry. Is he polarizing? Of course. Most love him or hate him, but one thing they cannot wonder is who he is. I appreciate the fact that people say “you know you’re just like you are on TV” when we are out in public. That to me is one of the most impressive compliments you can ask for. Do we receive the occasional e-mail of viewers wanting us to do a better job of controlling the language within the show? Yes. Are they less than 1% of the positive e-mails we receive telling Pig Man that they love him for being authentic? Yes. So its a wash. If you know that the personality is too brash for your liking and you aren’t comfortable with placing your child in front of the TV, then simply don’t watch. Our network, TSC, has taken risks and is currently basking in the sunshine by not censoring its outdoor personalities. We are who we are and shouldn’t apologize for it. Different strokes for different folks…that’s my 2 cents. 🙂
Justin – thanks so much for stopping by and adding your 2 cents. I hope you are a subscriber and this just didn’t pop up on your “google alerts” 🙂 But you said it, you can’t please everyone and it is those families’ responsibility to deem what’s “watchable” for their small ones.
You get letters about bleeped swearing? (insert facepalm here)
Some folks just can’t be happy, I guess. That’s the challenge of presenting to a mass audience. Regardless of the target demographic, everyone else is tuning in.
On my little blog, I try to refrain from cursing except when I really want it to mean something… usually extreme disgust or contempt. It’s not so much out of a desire not to offend (not that I think I have enough readers to worry about that) as it is because I appreciate the power of language. A well-placed cuss word can be a pretty effective communications tool. But too much is simply crass, and the words themselves lose their value.
But writing isn’t the same as “live” television. The folks on-camera are real people, in one of the most real situations the majority of us will ever face… killing an animal. They’re going to react sometimes, without the benefit of a backspace key. Folks who watch these shows should understand and appreciate that. It’s a shame they don’t.
With that in mind, the most you can be expected to do is leverage available editorial power to keep the programming rated G. Kids are watching these shows. I think that’s a great thing. And parents should be watching their kids.
Thanks Phillip for the comments! Swearing on a blog is a whole ‘nother story, but I get you there too – one does it for affect. I think there ia also a difference between swearing on purpose and just letting a “oh shit!” go when the arrow misses its target. The latter is real and emotional, the former is forced.