Complaints pour into BBC after EastEnders screens gay kiss before the watershed [Archive]

Cleverboy

Jul 20, 2009, 10:30 PM

The article is from late last year (October), but I thought it was interesting.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1075617/Complaints-pour-BBC-EastEnders-screens-gay-kiss-watershed.html
The BBC has been flooded with 145 complaints after screening a gay kiss on EastEnders before the 9pm watershed.

The 'offensive' scenes were screened on Tuesday's episode of the soap and showed Christian Clarke (John Partridge, 36) and Lee Thompson (Carl Ferguson, 27) engage in a passionate kiss.

In a statement the BBC defended itself by saying it was down to parents to decide whether the content of the show was suitable for children to watch.

But some viewers were left deeply unimpressed.

One viewer wrote on the BBC’s Points Of View internet messageboard: 'I am appalled by the display of homosexual kissing before the watershed shown on EastEnders.

'This is disgraceful whilst young children are watching and sets the wrong example.'

Another, Pat, wrote: 'I had to explain to my seven-year-old son what was happening.

'He now thinks he is gay because he kisses his dad.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1075617/Complaints-pour-BBC-EastEnders-screens-gay-kiss-watershed.html#ixzz0LrBn8XjC
That last quote cracked me up. Yup. that was just last year. Where's Leo Buscaglia when you need him? The world needs more hugging.

~ CB

yg17

Jul 20, 2009, 10:33 PM

145 complaints in a country of 61 million is considered a flood? Doesn't sound like much to me.

Cleverboy

Jul 20, 2009, 11:11 PM

145 complaints in a country of 61 million is considered a flood? Doesn't sound like much to me.Well, I know the FCC doesn't operate on that logic. You'd think sometimes, that they feel each complaint equals 1 billion viewers.

http://www.dwt.com/LearningCenter/Advisories?find=25839

All just seems so horrible arcane to me.
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/fairgame/.jukebox?action=viewMedia&mediaId=673175&podcastId=10043

~ CB

Ugg

Jul 20, 2009, 11:14 PM

It's legal for two men to marry but kissing on TV is something that is viewed as shocking to children?

Zombie Acorn

Jul 20, 2009, 11:57 PM

It's legal for two men to marry but kissing on TV is something that is viewed as shocking to children?

To a seven year old it would probably be shocking, or at least have to be explained. Most kids know their mom and dad are together and figure thats the way it always is.

leekohler

Jul 21, 2009, 12:24 AM

To a seven year old it would probably be shocking, or at least have to be explained. Most kids know their mom and dad are together and figure thats the way it always is.

My nieces and nephews don't seem to be confused or shocked. If you raise kids not to worry about such things, it won't shock them.

hulugu

Jul 21, 2009, 12:38 AM

To a seven year old it would probably be shocking, or at least have to be explained. Most kids know their mom and dad are together and figure thats the way it always is.

A friend of mine recently had to explain to her son what "being gay" meant since one of his friends at school was picked up by "her dads."

The kid listened to his mother—who stammered through her explanation, trying to avoid the actual mechanics, but yet trying to give her son an idea about what homosexuality meant—and then shrugged and tottered off.

Shocked is exactly the opposite emotion I would use.

Zombie Acorn

Jul 21, 2009, 02:45 AM

My nieces and nephews don't seem to be confused or shocked. If you raise kids not to worry about such things, it won't shock them.

Maybe shock is the wrong term, surely they would be asking questions about it, which probably put the parents in a weird spot. Kids learn about sex in school so the parents don't have to explain it.

Eraserhead

Jul 21, 2009, 03:10 AM

Maybe shock is the wrong term, surely they would be asking questions about it, which probably put the parents in a weird spot.

Sure they'll ask questions. But you could make the same argument about hetrosexual kissing.

.Andy

Jul 21, 2009, 03:28 AM

Kids learn about sex in school so the parents don't have to explain it.
It's the same thing with physics presumably.

BoyBach

Jul 21, 2009, 05:15 AM

That was another example of The Daily Mail's hard on for bringing down the BBC. Move along, nothing to see here.

Peterkro

Jul 21, 2009, 05:21 AM

The Daily Mail which gets its knickers in a twist about a film its critic hasn't seen:

"I haven't seen it myself, nor shall I - and I speak as a broad-minded arts critic, strongly libertarian in tendency. But merely reading about Antichrist is stomach-turning, and enough to form a judgment."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1200742/CHRISTOPHER-HART-What-DOES-film-banned-days.html

BoyBach

Jul 21, 2009, 05:27 AM

miniConvert

Jul 21, 2009, 05:31 AM

Oh noes! Children will have seen what 'gay' is! :eek: Now they can use it as an insult on the playground and actually know what it means!

Good on the BBC, IMHO. I take it nothing ever came of the complaints...

Queso

Jul 21, 2009, 06:57 AM

.Andy

Jul 21, 2009, 07:31 AM

"I haven't seen it myself, nor shall I - and I speak as a broad-minded arts critic, strongly libertarian in tendency. But merely reading about Antichrist is stomach-turning, and enough to form a judgment."
A good example of modern day libertarianism right here.

Ugg

Jul 21, 2009, 07:58 AM

To a seven year old it would probably be shocking, or at least have to be explained. Most kids know their mom and dad are together and figure thats the way it always is.

Kids are sponges and the only filter to what they absorb is the attitudes of their parents and teachers. It's also not as though gay couples are a novelty anymore. I suppose if a child is raised in a convent without tv it might be a shocker.

Jaffa Cake

Jul 21, 2009, 08:14 AM

I believe an episode of EastEnders is typically watched by about 9 million people.

145 complaints. You'll probably find far more people were shocked that the Daily Mail still thinks a gay kiss on TV is something worth writing an article about :rolleyes:I'm far more shocked that 9 million people would want to waste a chunk of their evening watching EastEnders in the first place.

OllyW

Jul 21, 2009, 08:17 AM

I'm far more shocked that 9 million people would want to waste a chunk of their evening watching EastEnders in the first place.

I would certainly complain if I had the misfortune of watching EastEnders. :eek:

skunk

Jul 21, 2009, 09:24 AM

It's also not as though gay couples are a novelty anymore. I suppose if a child is raised in a convent without tv it might be a shocker.I thought convents were full of gay couples...

Gelfin

Jul 21, 2009, 12:04 PM

That was another example of The Daily Mail's hard on for bringing down the BBC. Move along, nothing to see here.

But how does it compare with the Mull of Kintyre?

thegoldenmackid

Jul 21, 2009, 12:29 PM

Did you just Google modern gay riots or something earlier today?

Zombie Acorn

Jul 21, 2009, 01:47 PM

Kids are sponges and the only filter to what they absorb is the attitudes of their parents and teachers. It's also not as though gay couples are a novelty anymore. I suppose if a child is raised in a convent without tv it might be a shocker.

I don't recall a time when I ever saw two guys make out to this day except for a lost bet at a drunken party. Then again I don't see random straight people making out for the hell of it in public very often either.

Badandy

Jul 21, 2009, 01:59 PM

Queso

Jul 21, 2009, 02:01 PM

Ugg

Jul 21, 2009, 02:01 PM

I don't recall a time when I ever saw two guys make out to this day except for a lost bet at a drunken party. Then again I don't see random straight people making out for the hell of it in public very often either.

Are you telling me you never watch TV? Because what's at issue here is an on screen kiss, not what happens on the street.

It amazes me that parents go up in arms over a little smooch yet let little Johnny play GTA to their heart's content.

oscillatewildly

Jul 21, 2009, 02:46 PM

Let alone anyone, but why are young children watching Eastenders?

There seem to be parents who don't believe explaining the world is part of parenting - the complaints re BBC Children's TV presenter Cerrie Burnell come to mind.

Cheers,
OW

skunk

Jul 21, 2009, 03:05 PM

I don't recall a time when I ever saw two guys make out to this day except for a lost bet at a drunken party. Then again I don't see random straight people making out for the hell of it in public very often either.First of all you live in a city which apparently has no gay people in it, then you claim not to have seen straight people kissing in public. Where the hell is this place? :confused:

If parents are "put in a weird spot" in trying to explain the diversity of humankind, is that the fault of humankind or the fault of the parents?

solvs

Jul 21, 2009, 09:33 PM

Really?

Probably doesn't notice. Just read something about how people don't notice things they're used to, but things they aren't stand out. Yeah, I know, shocking it isn't it. Who'd a thunk.

Anyway, wasn't there kissing of 2 dudes on Torchwood a few months ago? Just watched some of it on BBC America, didn't think much of it other than one of the actors was more into it than the other. Though I think that was supposed to be surprise on his part. Guessing it would be harder to explain the aliens to kids, though if they're anything like Americans, maybe not. Kinda sad if aliens spitting goo and (I won't spoil the rest for those who haven't seen it yet) are seen as normal but 2 dudes kissing isn't.

That, and one of the guys is from several million years in the future. So apparently they'll do almost anybody and anything. Look at it this way, by then you guys finally get equal rights. Though I guess it takes the question of doing it with other intelligent species to put it all into perspective.

Zombie Acorn

Jul 21, 2009, 09:39 PM

First of all you live in a city which apparently has no gay people in it, then you claim not to have seen straight people kissing in public. Where the hell is this place? :confused:

If parents are "put in a weird spot" in trying to explain the diversity of humankind, is that the fault of humankind or the fault of the parents?

"Lived/grew up in a city" past tense, and I still stand by the fact that there were no gay people in the enormous 500 population town.

and

"Not very often did I see" doesn't mean I haven't seen straight people making out in public. Then again my schedule is basically go to work, work out, study, mess on internet when its late, done, start over. Not much people watching going on.

Are you telling me you never watch TV? Because what's at issue here is an on screen kiss, not what happens on the street.

It amazes me that parents go up in arms over a little smooch yet let little Johnny play GTA to their heart's content.

Finally no I don't watch TV often. Pop television makes me want to throw up in my mouth (not because of gay people, but because its so damn shallow and almost entirely reality TV which I hate).

solvs

Jul 21, 2009, 10:22 PM

"Lived/grew up in a city" past tense, and I still stand by the fact that there were no gay people in the enormous 500 population town.
That you know of. Grew up in a small town as well (not that small, but still). Later found out about a few gay people. Some were surprises. Guessing they didn't feel they could make out in public much.

Finally no I don't watch TV often. Pop television makes me want to throw up in my mouth (not because of gay people, but because its so damn shallow and almost entirely reality TV which I hate).
There are some good things on BBC America if you don't mind all the kissing.

Zombie Acorn

Jul 21, 2009, 10:51 PM

That you know of. Grew up in a small town as well (not that small, but still). Later found out about a few gay people. Some were surprises. Guessing they didn't feel they could make out in public much.

There are some good things on BBC America if you don't mind all the kissing.

I can't think of a single (as in not married) person left in my hometown that isn't in high school, everyone either gets married or leaves, so I guess I will have to wait till I hear of marriage breakups.

BBC America isn't half bad compared to other stations. Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares was probably the only reality show I actually liked, and I will catch an occasional top gear episode.

Peterkro

Jul 22, 2009, 04:00 AM

"Lived/grew up in a city" past tense, and I still stand by the fact that there were no gay people in the enormous 500 population town.

How come it went from a small city to a town of 500 population? Do you think there were any left handed people in the now small town?

Eraserhead

Jul 22, 2009, 04:05 AM

^^ Maybe its St David's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_David's) :p.

Seriously though, if you live in the countryside 500 could be described as a town - though where I live I'm not sure it'd even be described as a village.

OllyW

Jul 22, 2009, 04:13 AM

^^ Maybe its St David's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_David%27s) :p.

Seriously though, if you live in the countryside 500 could be described as a town - though where I live I'm not sure it'd even be described as a village.

I come from a "village" with a 28,000 population. :D

Queso

Jul 22, 2009, 06:04 AM

Anyway, wasn't there kissing of 2 dudes on Torchwood a few months ago?
A better question would be, when wasn't there 2 dudes kissing on Torchwood? :D

solvs

Jul 22, 2009, 07:24 AM

A better question would be, when wasn't there 2 dudes kissing on Torchwood? :D

I'm new to it and just started catching up from Dr. Who, so is that why no calls to the BBC to complain? Is it a big "dudes kissing" show? Because I got the impression that one of the dudes, the stuffy one, was new to that whole thing, while the face of boe dude was in love with everything humanoid, like the Dr. But really had a thing for married chick.

No wait, don't tell me, I want to be surprised.

blackfox

Jul 22, 2009, 08:19 AM

Wait...Eastenders is still on?

How long has it been going?- 30 years?

That's shocking.

solvs

Jul 22, 2009, 08:25 AM

Now you have me curious about this other show, which I've never seen because I heard it kinda sucked.

I've already got a slightly British accent in my head thanks to Dr. Who and the older stuff on PBS, it better not turn cockney it better not govna.

Dagless

Jul 22, 2009, 09:04 AM

I don't recall a time when I ever saw two guys make out to this day except for a lost bet at a drunken party. Then again I don't see random straight people making out for the hell of it in public very often either.

I've seen girls holding hands and gay couples on Canal Street but never any kissing. Just sayin'.

Anyways, hasn't Hollyoaks done this before? Or is just that people (unfortunately) actually watch Eastenders?

Queso

Jul 22, 2009, 09:27 AM

Wait...Eastenders is still on?

How long has it been going?- 30 years?

That's shocking.
Compared to some of our soaps (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronation_Street) it's a mere baby :)

nick9191

Jul 22, 2009, 09:33 AM

Good on the BBC.

Compared to some of our soaps (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronation_Street) it's a mere baby :)
You know Eastenders and Coronation Street are both British soaps right?

Queso

Jul 22, 2009, 09:38 AM

You know Eastenders and Coronation Street are both British soaps right?
Are they? :D

Zombie Acorn

Jul 22, 2009, 06:10 PM

How come it went from a small city to a town of 500 population? Do you think there were any left handed people in the now small town?

I know there were left handed people, I know their names too. City and town are interchangeable to me. I grew up in the city of x, its a pretty small town of 500 people.

Peterkro

Jul 22, 2009, 06:38 PM

I know there were left handed people, I know their names too. City and town are interchangeable to me. I grew up in the city of x, its a pretty small town of 500 people.

From the studies I've seen the percentage of left handed people and gay people in a population is roughly similar, so as you say there were left handed people in your small town/city why would you think there were no gay people?The absurd pressure put on people to conform to a "norm" is the reason gay people in small cities/towns particularly may not want to share there sexual orientation with you.

.Andy

Jul 22, 2009, 06:46 PM

The authors investigated the role of homosexual arousal in exclusively heterosexual men who admitted negative affect toward homosexual individuals. Participants consisted of a group of homophobic men (n = 35) and a group of nonhomophobic men (n = 29); they were assigned to groups on the basis of their scores on the Index of Homophobia (W. W. Hudson & W. A. Ricketts, 1980).

The men were exposed to sexually explicit erotic stimuli consisting of heterosexual, male homosexual, and lesbian videotapes, and changes in penile circumference were monitored. They also completed an Aggression Questionnaire (A. H. Buss & M. Perry, 1992 ). Both groups exhibited increases in penile circumference to the heterosexual and female homosexual videos. Only the homophobic men showed an increase in penile erection to male homosexual stimuli. The groups did not differ in aggression. Homophobia is apparently associated with homosexual arousal that the homophobic individual is either unaware of or denies.

Pubmed link (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8772014?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum). This needs to be quoted in every thread about homosexuality.

skunk

Jul 22, 2009, 06:53 PM

Pubmed link (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8772014?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum). This needs to be quoted in every thread about homosexuality.It's not exactly a surprising result. Everyone finds their own sex attractive to a greater or lesser extent, but it's too scary for some people to handle. It ain't just a river in Africa.