Getting Crap Past The Radar

[TSG]

In today's censored, politically correct world, what you are allowed to say and do on the magic speaking box known as television is heavily monitored and controlled. So, sometimes TV writers have to sneak stuff in. They have to, you know, sneak crap past the radar.

Many writers are good, even great, at doing this. A lot of kids shows have a tendency to do it to garner adult viewers who normally wouldn't want to watch, or as some theorists theorize, to poison the minds of America's youth. Either or.

To present one of the most famous examples, That 70's Show featured The Circle, which was normally in Eric Foreman's basement but took place in many different spots throughout the series. In the circle, Eric, Kelso, Hyde and the rest of the gang would do something that was gnerally un-named, but looked an awful lot like they were getting high. For visual aid:

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They never really say that they're smoking marijuana, but it's pretty clear none the less.

So, on topic, what is your favorite examples of a show getting crap past the radar? Do you think it has an important place on TV shows? Discuss away.

 

[TSG]

Okay, I want to get this thread moving because I really liked the idea of it, so I'm going to do a profile on it today. More specifically, I am going to share a little bit about a man who is a master in doing this with kids programs.

This man is Dan Schneider. He is known today as the writer and/or producer of many Nickelodeon shows such as iCarly, Victorious, Drake and Josh, and others. Most of his shows are Kid Coms, or sitcoms produced for children. But some how, he gets many older teens/adults to watch his shows. How? Well, he gets so much crap past the radar you have to wonder if Nick even cares? He makes various sexual references in his shows, even going as far as to mention the word boob often, implying characters could be lesbians, and implying they are good at "pleasuring" with their mouths. Schneider is great at getting crap past the radar, and his skill should be recognized.

 

[ABMorales787]

Speaking of Nick. There's the anime-esque Avatar. By it's final season, a character named Zokka has a girlfriend named Suki and the two are, you know, madly in love. They are underaged. Anyway, the two characters do exhibit a pretty strong relationship. To the point of Sokka being discovered in his underwear inside a tent with candles waiting for his beloved and being in an awfully happy mood. Pretty damn strong for a kids show to be pretty much telling you there are two underaged kids having sex.

Ladies and gentlemen, this show is supposed to be aimed at a range of 7-12 year olds. I never have issues with heavy violence. It creates character. Love, no. No issues. Implied sex? After a laugh or two, I gotta wonder whats the point. I watched the show when I was about 15-16. I watched it for the fighting, not the implied love making.

 

[Nate DaMac]

I'm vaguely remembering a moment in of the Shrek movies. They're spoofing Cops with a show called Knights(get it?) and while they're arresting Puss and Donkey(I believe) they find a little baggy of cat nip on Puss and he says, "That's.. not mine." Clearly a drug reference, but it was likely lost on the majority of little kids.

I'm not complaining or anything. This country is too god damn critical of how everything is perceived by children, but this scene didn't really catch any flack to my knowledge. They'll bitch and moan to the max about Family Guy & South Park, 2 shows that are clearly not marketed toward children, but a drug reference in a family movie gets no mention. I'm really not meaning to complain, just pointing out how much it really got by the radar.

 

[Dave]

When I think about this topic, there is only one show that really comes to mind and it is an absolute fucking beezer! I know that many of you may not have heard of this show because it was a British show that I doubt made any great impact in the states, if at all. But anyway, my choice is:

Captain Pugwash

This show has gone down into legend with multiple urban legends coming from it. Now, given that it was aimed solely at kids, the kind of material it uses is a little bit sketchy, to see the least. Firstly, there is a rumour that a “Captain Pugwash” was an Australian term used for oral sex back in the 70's. Whether that is true or false, I cannot claim either way. But even if it is false, there is plenty more to come from this seemingly innocent show. For starters, one of the crew who serve on Pugwash's ship is called Master Bates! To me, it is a huge mystery how they managed to get that past the censors. That being said, censors weren't so uptight back then.

Need more examples? Sure, I'll give them to you. Another of the crew was called Seaman Staines and the very young cabin boy was called “Roger The Cabin Boy”. Now, if that is not an order, then I have no idea what it was. Another character that was added to the mix was called Lieutenant Scratchwood. I mean, that is just God damn funny. If a show like that was submitted to the censors now, they would have a stroke and the show would never see the light of day.

Pretty funny though.

 

[Serious Mozzarella]

Holy Christ, if you want to talk about shit getting past the radar, please look no farther than Nickelodeon, specifically the show "iCarly," which is about two girls who broadcast a comedy skit show over the internet. The sex jokes are implied, but watching it, you really wonder how they get away with putting underaged girls in awkward, uncomfortable scenes, telling inappropriate jokes (at least for the demographic).

I can't find any specific examples, as they're littered everywhere throughout the show. I know I'm not the only one who notices them. I sat my friend down to watch an episode or two for this reason. He noticed the same exact jokes I noticed the first time around.