It seems that Comcast took my statement that no one reads the blog on Saturday or Sunday a little too seriously; we were without internet service all day yesterday. It is funny though, because we actually went to the park, walked around, ran errands, and stuff like that. Usually, it would have taken us forever to get motivated, and we would have just sat there forever… maybe it was a blessing in disguise. But, the side effect was no blogging. But enough about that…
Lately, and since there really is nothing of substance on TV to watch anymore, James and I find ourselves channel surfing at night, and as of late, have ended up more than one night watching Will and Grace followed by Sex and the City on TBS or the WB. While I generally enjoy both of those shows, I must say that the eternal analytical anthropologist in me has taken notice of at least one major flaw in our new nightly programming; someone took the sex out of Sex and the City.
Now, I guess the reason why it was so noticeable to me, was because I actually did see the show when it was on HBO, and I know that, as the name suggests, it is pretty much all about, or leads to, one of the characters trying to have, engaging in, or reflecting on sex. While I think that sex is a worthwhile topic and does have a place on TV, especially in a country that seems to more afraid of sex now, than those back in the Dark Ages; I would like to know why we even put it on TV at all, if we are going to censor the hell out of it? Seriously, the network TV version of the show is so censored, that it isn’t even the same show anymore. We have taken the sex and sexuality right out of the show; and, like I said before, isn’t that what the name suggests that the show is all about (and rightfully so)?
Now, I understand that you can’t have Samantha fucking on TBS. That’s fine with me (although, why not?). But, if that is the case, then WHY show the program on TBS in the first place? If you are going to remove one of the core elements of the program (i.e., sex), then why put it on? I think that if you are going to show a program like Sex and the City, you take some responsibility in providing the viewers an adequate and acceptable version of that program to watch; otherwise, you are definitely practicing censorship. Since this country, and, let’s face it, the “religious right” (who would do just about anything to prevent children from learning how to have a healthy sexual development and future sex life) do not want to admit that people are having sex, and GOD FORBID enjoying it; why are programs like this even shown on network TV? Why not just leave it to the pay channels? If it is THAT risqué, why bother? I for one think that if you are going to hack up something as well done as Sex and the City, just for the purpose of pleasing these people that are terrified at the thought of seeing a little nipple or, gasp, witnessing a woman being sexually liberated; you are not only doing a disservice to the program, but you are also doing a disservice to the viewers… all of them. It is insulting to treat people like children; for the sake of bending at the will of groups of people like “mothers against all sex and sexuality on TV”, as an example. After all, the show comes on after 10, which is plenty of time to get the kids in the bed, if you should want to prevent them from seeing it. Also, there is the parental control feature on every TV with cable these days, where you can even block out this program if you want to. And, probably my favorite suggestion to people that don’t want to see stuff like that on TV; you see that little button on the remote and the corresponding one on the front of the TV that says “power” beneath it? Hit that, and you won’t have to see it any more.
So, after this Monday morning rant, I pose my question: If we are so afraid of seeing a little nipple, or are worried 
about the sexual content of network programming, why even put a show like Sex and the City on network TV? And, more importantly, if you, as a network, take on the responsibility and stance that you will air such a program, why must you hack it up and totally destroy any semblance the show had to when it originally aired? Doing so is a travesty to the program and all of the people that ever enjoyed it. Also, does anyone else think that this may have at least a little something to do with the fact that, the topic of the show focuses on sexually liberated and happy women working through the ends and outs of sex, love, and everything else (while I do know that this show is no where near perfect, I do applaud the fact that it does show women in at least some control over their sexual being; that, to me, in this country, is pretty groundbreaking)? I’m just curious… Now, the ubiquitous: what do you think?
With this all out on the table, I bet you are wondering, “why are you still watching this edited, watered down version of the show; if you hate it so much?”, the answer, is that I do really like the show, and I did see it the first time around, so I can kind of piece together the parts that are missing (which is probably why I notice so much in the first place). Also, I unfortunately have nothing else to watch. Hurry up Netflix!!! Get me my new movies, and save me from the censored, “sexually terrified” nights we spend clinging to TBS/the WB; it has to stop!
The scariet part of all, it at some point during the night you can watch Sex and the City on either TBS, The WB or even WGN
overkill!
You just need to hurry up, pack your things and resettle in Canada. CityTV used to run Sex and the City at 7pm (I believe) in all its HBO glory. We don’t normally allow the F-word before 9pm but after that its all T&A, F-this and S-that… I think MuthaF-er is the only word they’re not allowed to say. Goodness, we even have blue movies on some channels at the weekend.
Yet another reason Canada is cool (for now, just wait till after Jan 23rd when we find out who our new government will be).
I think what the WB and TBS? is doing to the show is horrible but then again I find myself watching it because I just can’t seem to help myself. I think one of our biggest problem in this country is our fear of sex and how we address it.
If we are so afraid of seeing a little nipple, or are worried about the sexual content of network programming, why even put a show like Sex and the City on network TV?
I did a little bit of research and found your answer. HBO’s average ratings for a season of SATC topped out at 3.5 million viewers. The TBS airings get about the same numbers for the syndicated episodes, meaning they are doing just as well with censored reruns as HBO did with its groundbreaking original show, which they spent millions developing.
Why would TBS give a shit about hacking up the show if it’s going to put up such fantastic numbers every night?
And while F/X and other cable nets might have earned a reputation for airing some risqué content, TBS is aimed at the broadest appeal, and obviously will shy away from anything even mildly obscene. So, they get beaucoup bucks without having to do ANY of the work HBO did, besides advertising it? Sounds like a good deal to me.
HBO knew exactly what they were getting into when they syndicated an edited version of the show. If you’re going to get angry at anyone for ruining the spirit and creative vision of the show, get angry at HBO. (Though, when you think about it, this move also brilliantly drives the DVD sales of the show, which are uncut and just as juicy as you’d remember them.)
Not only is the plot totally mangled, it also cuts the show down to about 20 mins. leaving more than enough time for extra commercials. It’s just annoying all the way around. Thats why I own it on DVD.
Garrett: fantastic point. They show the edited show for the money; but my concern, and main reason for this post, is that it doesn’t even have to be edited. I understand that TBS/the WB would show whatever crap they could just to get ratings (hello, Friends is on like 2-3 hours a day at some capacity on those channels), every network is like that about every show; but I just feel that if you are going to show a show like Sex and the City, why not play it unedited? I am going deeper here by suggesting that we, as Americans, can’t seem to handle sex and sexuality on TV, and therefore, we are fed this edited crap. I believe we should be able to handle it at this point, especially considering the controls in place that I mentioned.
I honestly don’t blame the network for cashing in on something so seemingly “free”; but I just think that the American public should be able to handle the content. I honestly never thought the show was that risque until I saw just how much was edited out, but maybe that is because I understand that sex and sexuality are part of a healthy life.
Ah well, it just goes to show, that no matter what the issue is… money probably plays a part in it at some capacity. And the worst part, is that I have been contributing to those ratings by watching it… Gah.
While I don’t want to comment in any official capacity (since TBS pays my bills) I did want to mention one reason for the editing: time. Since HBO is commercial-free, most of the episodes have a running length longer than the 22-minute average for a network sitcom. At least part of the editing is due to time-constraints. TBS has done less editing than the WB in that regard - editing for length (which you see done to movies on cable as well).
My two cents.
yeah they should change it to sexless in the city.
I never really watched SITC when it was on HBO, so I couldn’t tell what I’m missing anyway. It doesn’t suprise me though, that TBS, always striving for *cutting edge* programming is *cutting* that show all to hell.
Fantastic post, Duane!
When I started seeing ads for Sex and the City on TBS, all I could think was, “Are you kidding me?” It is retarded for TBS to show it, since they have to chop it up so badly. Don’t they also show it as just a 30-minute show instead of the 1-hour show it originally was?
I never was a big fan of Sex and the City; partly because I never had HBO, and partly because the few episodes I did see, kind of annoyed me. But goddamn. If a station like TBS is going to syndicate it, have the balls to play the actual show.
I will never understand the fear of/aversion to all things sexual in this country.
An interesting side note. When they were filming SITC they purposefully filmed scenes without some of the curse words and sexual talk, as well as sex scenes without all the sex. They were preparing for syndication from early on in the show’s run. Now talk about creating a franchise.
FWIW, The WB and TBS did *not* run about randomly editing scenes and words from SitC after agreeing to a hefty dollar amount to air it.
At the time of shooting, HBO was fully aware that one day in the not-too-distant future, they’d be hawking their used wares to the major nets for syndication runs. They were careful to do their own voice overs at the time, shoot multiple versions of the same scenes (with clothing, from the neck up, etc.) and more.
FWIW.
I totally agree - it drives me crazy!
It also drives me crazy that I keep making the choice to watch the bullshit, edited versions instead of just boycotting them. I mean, if they keep getting viewers it’s never going to change.
However, I did buy my best friend the whole series for Xmas so I’m just going to start borrowing DVDs from her. There’s still a little selfish part of me that wishes I had kept it for myself and gotten her socks or something…