"It's All a Bunch of bleeping bleep-bleep"
- Wade
Today's gambit title refers to a quote from "The Doors," cleaned up for all you kiddies reading. I could have sworn, knowing that our readership is limited to a half-dozen people, all of which are of legal age to swear and read swear words. But I didn't, 'cause I didn't think I needed to.
I love Bill Cosby. One of my fondest childhood memories is sitting on the floor of my living room with my Dad, listening to the Cosby standup records (yes, records) that he bought in the 60's. I've now found digital copies of those records and listen to them from time to time on my computer. I know every word.
One of the reasons I love the Cos? He can make me laugh without feeling dirty. The dentist bit. Kids with the brain damage. Froofie the dog. Henry Kissinger is from Alabama. I had the opportunity to see the Cos live last fall with my wife and my dad-- and i *literally* almost wet myself. Now.... I also laugh at Dave Chapelle. I also laugh at "South Park." I also laugh at "Will and Grace." But let's face it... I'd probably even laugh at Osama bin Laden telling a well-delivered fart joke, if I understood Arabic.
Where the bleep am I going with this? I'm going here: I do not understand this country and what is deemed acceptable and unacceptable. Some examples:
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Janet Jackson's breast briefly exposed from a distance on the Superbowl halftime show. Results: mass hysteria.
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Every episode of "Law and Order" shows someone either getting shot/stabbed, or shows someone right after getting shot/stabbed, with requisite gore. Results: great ratings.
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Howard Stern apparently asks "What are you, a C-cup?" one too many times. Results: his show removed from several radio stations.
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"Friends" character Phoebe decides her husband's new name should be "shithead" and repeatedly calls him that, during prime time. Results: I didn't hear about it until a week afterwards, and could barely find any articles online about it.
So... boobs are bad, but butts are okay, at least if you're Dennis Franz. Swearing is okay, but only if it's done on a sitcom. And gratuitous violence is always ok.
Can we please have some consistency??? I personally don't believe boobs, butts, or swearing belong anywhere on television, especially during prime time-- but I've always had a bit of a Bill Bennett streak in me. What completely slays me, though, is how the country completely becomes unglued when getting a brief glimpse of a Jackson hooter, yet tolerates the gruesome violence that's occurring nightly one channel up the dial.
The latest: the FCC is receiving calls from viewers because "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell apparently had his middle finger extended while arguing co-judge Paula Abdul. Cowell said he was simply resting his head on his hand, and wasn't paying attention to what he was doing. The FCC is investigating. He should have pulled out a gun and shot her, no one would have cared then.
I don't watch "Idol" though. It conflicts with "The Cosby Show" on Nick at Nite.
THEOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
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