SWEARING ON CBBC ACCEPTABLE?

[Nancy123]

TV PROGRAM: Tracy Beaker Returns - Series 3, 4. Big Brother
AIRED ON THE CBBC CHANNEL AT 17:00 FRIDAY 20th January 2012.

Whilst I feel the behavior expressed by the children in this program by shouting at each other and the adults not very encouraging behavior for young viewers, I just about tolerate my 8 year old daughter watching this program.

However, 21 minutes into this particular episode there is a strong exchange of words between 2 brothers in a market location at the DVD stall. When one brother (Liam) asks " Why didn't you come forward or did you enjoy watching your brother being sent down" the other (Jack) replies "it made me feel sh*t!"

I couldn't believe swear words as strong as this were being written into the script of children's TV programs especially when aired at 5pm!!
As I was unsure that I heard correctly I watched the program again on the iPlayer and yes the "Sh*t" word was used.!!

This is totally unacceptable, is the BBC saying to our young children that to use such language in this form of vocabulary is acceptable?

Just watched it with subtitles - it says sick. and if you listen the actor does sound like he has a slight lisp.

Actually just watched it on YouTube and it sounds like ''shit'' to me.

Even in a gritty scene in Eastenders they don't swear which always makes me laugh.

dear lord people let it go, he said 'sick' my ds(10) says that but he's a right little chav

sick

LineRunner Fri 20-Jan-12 22:09:44
"Benedict Cumberpatch was very good last week at the power of suggestion. Just sayin'."

No shit Sherlock!

Can someone link to YouTube? I can't decide if YABU or not until I hear it....even so....

I think the BBC could do with another children's channel aimed at older children and move shows like TB there. Some of the CBeebies stuff is a bit too old for the younger viewers, too, and could do with moving to CBBC.
Filling the schedule shouldn't be a problem: I remember loads of kids programmes like Chocky, Ballet Shoes, Peppermint Pig and Children of the Stones that could be repeated.

Thank you themildmanneredjanitor.
Whether it was "SHICK" or not the FACTS are:

1. Most people on here have heard it as SH*T which confirms that little ears could also hear the same.
2. Not all of us view with the subtitles on for confirmation of what is actually said.
3. We would expect a better script for example "it made me feel awful/bad/terrible.........even sad" But "Shick" oh please?
4. The most disappointing fact of all: Regardless of what was or was not actually said, its amazing the number of people on here that actually think its okay that to use the word SH*T on kids TV is acceptable.........Amazing, a sign of an improving society? me thinks not.

Someone has already said it sounds like he has a lisp, if that is the case and I thought that too then should the BBC stop employing people with speech impediments for the fear of offending? That would go down well.......NOT!!!!!!

It was me who thought it sounded like a lisp. I also thought when I heard it with subtitles it sounded more like sick with a lisp than shit. It sounded like shit when I expected it to sound like shit iyswim?

However most people here have watched the clip expecting to hear the word shit, so who knows how many wouldn't have heard it correctly when they watched. Complaints to OFCOM will tell us that.

YANBU. TV has become very family unfriendly.

We now need a tv mag in which someone highlights the good bits to watch and the bad times to avoid including the previews with all their bad bits. Lucikly I had previously seen a particular preview on tv late one evening, so when it came on yesterday at 7pm I knew it was unsuitable viewing at 7pm and so was able to warn my dd and her young cousin - they were more than happy to close their eyes and sing until it was over.
It's a sad sad sad world out there.

It sounded like shit to me. I think what it sounds like is more important than what a subtitle (that most people don't read) says.

that this entire thread is down to a misheard word!

But to your point, OP - if it had been 'shit' then yes, I'd have been bosom-hoicking with the best of 'em. My main reasons for doing so being that CBBC is aimed at pre-teens, really, and that police it how you will, a lot of younger siblings will be watching CBBC willynilly, rather than Beebies, because their older siblings want it on.

In this house, if I say shit (if? IF?? ) DS1 immediately picks up on it and echoes me. In which case, I turn it into 'sit' and make DS2 sit down. To be fair, he usually needs to, given that he'll probably be busy scaling the bathroom steps or a kitchen chair, or whatever.

Any idea how I can disguise the odd 'fuck' and the more challenging 'bastard' in a similar way?

Thanks youarekidding I understand what you mean, I was yapping on the phone to debithescot when I first heard it, she watched it on I player and I could only hear it and I only heard the work sick, I didn't realise he had said it until she played it again and pointed it out, I then watched it with subtitles on my iPad, would be interesting to see if anyone complained to ofcom!

Christ, he clearly says "sick".

And even if he did say "shit", I mean, really? That's what bothers you? Your kids hear and say a lot worse, I guaranfuckingtee it.

I can't believe I actually put iPlayer on to watch this. But having done so, it does sound like shick. I suspect the character started to say shit but halfway through remembered it was supposed to be sick. The last part is definitely not a 't' sound, the mouth shape isn't even right for it.

Well - it'll be interesting to see what the various people the OP has written to have to say about it.

lol Reshape ( Or did I read somewhere that we don't use that on MN ? )

Here have a partner in crime ( hug ) just because !

And where's the wiggly fingers on nose emoticon when you need it, huh !

No idea about ways to disguise other naughty words BTW. But love your "sit" !

To be honest I'm usually too angry to care at that point

I would be surprised to hear shit on TV before 9pm, let alone on a children's channel. I dont think I'd complain as I dont care enough (children hearing swear words doesnt make them use them if they understand they aren't acceptable) but the OP does so fair enough.

But I object to the sentiment that children are copying Tracey Beaker or that Jaqueline Wilson should write about role models. If everything, TV, books, activities etc produced for children is completely wholesome then they grow up with a skewed view of the world. Tracey Beaker, (if you've read the books) grows up in a children's home. Her mother is unreliable and her own behaviour is uncontrolable meaning she gets locked in her room. She lies about her family and is then caught out and embarassed. She is an unhappy child with behaviour that shows it. Most children old enough to read these books will know this not a good situation. Tracey knows she is naughty and she doesnt want to be. When she is eventually fostered she tries hard to be good otherwise she wont be wanted. People only want the cute nice kids, Tracey is unattractive, older and naughty. The story does have a very clear morality and shows 'normal' children what it is like for others.

My favourite book of her as a child was the Bed and Breakfast star. I had no idea, at about 9 years old, that people lived in B and Bs (in 1 room) or that you could lose your house. It made me think about the fact that the 'naughty' children or children who skip school have so little control over their lives.

Children are not monkeys. With guidance and discussion they should be able to watch shows like this and understand it portrays a different lifestyle to help us understand.

Aside from anything else, books and tv are about fun and relaxation not education (a lot of the time). I cant think of anything more revolting or boring than children's books about good little girls and boys.

I have watched the episode and didn't hear 'shit', I did hear 'sick' so went onto you tube and listened several times, it sounds, at worse, like 'shick'. The actor has a strong accent plus I would say a slight lisp. A fuss over nothing really!

To add, there is a definite 'ck' sound at the end of the word, it is only the beginning that could be taken as 'sh' instead of 's'. As someone else rightly said, if the actor has a speech impediment does that mean he shouldn't be employed by the BBC incase someone mis hears what he says? So much for no discrimination!

Agree with a lot of your post WellThen but not

"books and tv are about fun and relaxation not education (a lot of the time)"

I think at this age learning is crucial, but fortunately I take a very wide view of what education and learning is - so feel for example that Tracey Beaker teaches a lot about "story" and the development of a narrative and dialogue, as well as showing children how other children might live, and a lot of other issues very relevant to their lives.

I think, if there is a balance to be struck between entertainment and education, then CBBC gets it just right - but usually I find that the entertainment aspect just makes the learning easier to access. ( So no need for a tricky balancing act )
Basically I believe that learning is fun and interesting - as illustrated in brilliant programmes like "Deadly 60"
( with the gorgeous Steve Backshaw )

Def a "ck" sound at the end.....

wow really My teens record tracey beaker returns are you sure he said Shit ? I Like the programme too will watch it to see , i dont think its a word to be used on childrens television either .

genuine question but is shit an accepted word these days in everyday language ? It was always considered a swear when i was growing up ( int he middle ages ) I wouldnt use it and would not be pleased if my kids said it to me ,

DD watched this with the subtitles on, he said sick not shit.