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Helen Raises Hell
September 06, 2006
The FCC is not taking any of this lightly. And they can't.
We've been reporting for weeks about the fringe groups demanding politeness on television. This time, the "Parents Television Council" wants the FCC and other federal agencies to fine NBC for Helen Mirren's "vulgar and obscene" behavior during the Emmys.
Did she show her boobs? No. But she did mention she had them.
As she was walking up to the stage to make her (truly charming) acceptance speech for "Elizabeth I," our girl Helen said she was relieved that she didn't trip on her dress and fall "ass over tit." We'd never heard this term before. We've heard our mothers say things like "fall down go boom" and, oddly, one of our interns claims his mother says, "ass over tittleberries." (Exsqueeze me? I'm in love.) But, watching the Emmys, we sort of missed the whole event.
During the show, Calista Flockhart payed homage to Helen by saying the exact same thing. We totally weren't paying attention -- nobody was. Except, apparently, for America's long-suffering children.
We quote the statement by the Parents Television Council: "It is utterly irresponsible and atrocious for NBC to air this vulgar language -- when millions of children were in the viewing audience." Really? Children watch the Emmys?
So, yes. It's expensive to get fined for swearing on the telly, and Congress very recently raised those fines from $32,500 to $325,000. But for heavens sake -- did anyone's children adopt the quirky British phrase and make it their own? Was there a rash of "ass over tit" jokes at school the next day?
Everybody breathe. It's live TV. It's going to be fine.
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Recent Comments
December 6, 2006 at 01:50 AM
Catch A Phrase... Both Endearing and Annoying
lizzy: "well about this gem "i did not have sexual intercourse with that woman." president bill clinton about his affair with..."
December 5, 2006 at 03:42 PM
Where Are My Shows?
LANI: "Hi - Any info on shows that really were mostly brilliant-but-cancelled? Such as WEST WING or JUDGING AMY or CHRISTOPHER..."
December 5, 2006 at 01:46 PM
MASH: No more
Linda : "Writing that MASH was not (is not)funny ranks right up there with saying this Administration knows what they are doing..."
December 5, 2006 at 12:45 PM
Catch A Phrase... Both Endearing and Annoying
Lindsey: "So may Simpsons not listed. Don't have a cow man. Hi-didly ho neighborinos I didn't do it Eat my shorts..."
December 5, 2006 at 11:24 AM
Wonderfalls
Brian: "I knew the show was too good to last.Clever and fun just doesn't sell over mean and obnoxious these days.I..."
December 5, 2006 at 08:33 AM
MASH: No more
dumbod: "Actually, there were two MASH's. The first had McLean Stevenson and Wayne Rogers. It was funny and somewhat more true..."
Comments
Mark wrote:
Helen Mirren provided one of the Emmy show's highlights with her comment. We should count our blessings to have been witness to such a classy lady's "earthy" sense of humor. And nobody got hurt...
posted at September 8, 2006 01:13 PM
anneboone wrote:
hi, pls leave helen alone; she's one of the premier ladies of the theater. btw, will there EVER be another 'prime suspect'? i love that character...but then, i love just about everything she performs...
posted at September 8, 2006 04:16 PM
Bernard Hope wrote:
As a Brit and a pedant over swearing, what Dame Helen actually said was 'Arse over Tit'. This is a hugely important distinction in the sweary mary stakes as it combines 2 swear words in the one phrase!!
Also, why weren't all those sensitive children in bed (where all good kiddies should be at 9.30pm at night)? I know.. I know... different time zones, but I'm only just getting used to them!!!!
posted at September 9, 2006 02:07 PM
Christina wrote:
Wow. The FCC is ridiculous, if parents are so concerned why don't they just censor what their children watch or GASP! send them to bed early! The FCC needs to stop. Who cares about Janet Jacksons breast popping out, or Eminem's lyrics. He is a lyrical genius because he doesn't rap about slappin' B--ch's or F--king hoe's, and speaks about real life issues. Also, if howard Stern was such a horrible guy, he wouldn't be making BILLIONS! The FCC needs to take a chill pill and get over themselves.
posted at September 12, 2006 04:19 PM
Abbie wrote:
What kind of freak children are these freak people raising who have never heard the word ass or tit before? And will I have to deal with these freak kids when they go on a buck wild killing spree after seeing the venus de Milo's nipple or something?
posted at September 13, 2006 11:33 PM
Rick wrote:
I was with you all the way Christina until "if howard Stern was such a horrible guy, he wouldn't be making BILLIONS".
Debate about Stern's horribleness or not aside I don't think being a horrible person prevents one from making billions. Zillions even. Donald Trump comes to mind. So does Saddam Hussein. Idi Amin had a couple of bucks in his getaway fund and Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh and Geraldo Rivera continue to cash pretty healthy paychecks. But as for the rest of your note...I'm with you all the way.
posted at September 14, 2006 02:22 AM
Christine wrote:
This is another disgusting display of one group trying to control another group. Great points have been brought up btw. Were kids really watching the Emmy's? I'm 24 and I think it's a snooze, I doubt 6 year olds find it entertaining. F--k Censorship.
posted at September 17, 2006 09:22 AM
Lloyd wrote:
Helen Mirren is one of the premier actresses of our time, beautiful, intelligent, and one of the classiest ladies to walk the planet. Unfortunately, I think the the small minded and much less intelligent complainers won't be satisfied until we've pushed our civilization back to the stone age. Why should adults be required to speak only as children when in public, especially at at time of day when children should be in bed?
posted at September 17, 2006 06:08 PM
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