Spaz!!

[rickman]

Sorry about the thread title, but I wanted to grab your attention.

I caught some of the Bratz cartoon on the new Citv channel the other day and I heard someone use the term 'spaz'. They were referring to a cat, but even so, I don't think it's on.

Do you think it's worth trying to do something about it? If so, where should I start?

There's an article \link{http://www.plastic.com/article.html;sid=05/10/17/05040440\here} about the word - not specifically bratz though. It does seem a strange word to use though.

From bubblerock's piece - Bratz is American and it's not offensive there in the same way it is here. Worth mentioning though I suppose (train CITV to listen to imported programmes).

That's terrible IMHO another reason to hate Bratz.

I don't think so Christie, although I was only half listening. The woman was shouting at the cat and kept saying that it was such a spaz or very similar.

Interesting article Bubblerock, still find it pretty offensive though. Wonder what others would make of it?

dont even get me started on this topic

I've dropped CITV an email, didn't say much just that I was offended and asked them for their opinion. Should have paid more attention and then I could have given them a bit more to go on. It has been playing on my mind since I heard it so I'm glad I've done something.

Re it's use in America - i think the purported 'wild and crazy' meaning is still based on the notion of spastic and still, therefore, offensive.

The point that Mr-Thinking-outside-the-box-marketing-man makes about reclaiming the word fails to recognise that with other reclamations, the targets of the word have done the reclamation - not someone making a commercial profit! And, as with the N word - it's acceptable by people to say of themselves, but highly offensive for someone else to say it.

Bratz - shudder. Everything about them.

It is a hideous programme Blu. Fortunately my dd's have never shown any interest up until now, we are a Bratz free zone.

I had an email this morning saying my message had been passed on to the Producers at CITV so I'll let you know what they say.

So, the Fat Controller had to be renamed for US audiences but they won't remove the word Spaz for UK viewrs...

i am trying really hard not to get pissed about this, but i might be failing

well done for what you did rickman, we should start a team

rickman - where did you find the e mail to complain to?

Ridiculous, I know, but it is Soupy's observation that has got my dander up enough to e mail them. it is Bl*y outrageous.

I emailed to this address [email protected]

I thought maybe I was making a fuss about nothing, I seemed to be a lone voice in the wilderness, glad you agree with me.

I didn't know that about the Fat Controller either.

Actually there is a form \link{http://www.itv.com/page.asp?partid=1215\here} that I used.

well they could have taken it off/overdubbed it or whatever they do these days

rickman - I am horrified. I would hate to think of DS picking up language like that - or having it validated, by watching Bratz. Not that he would be (he shouts at the non-stop ads on Milkshake, under my non-judgemental guidance, of course). The last thing we need is kids thinking it is cool to use such a word.

rickman - can you remember the details for the form - what date / channel / rough time it was?

spazz is such an offensive word. All that 'reclaiming' stuff is crap, it is a smokescreen to cover their backsides.
Complain!
I also dislike the bratz because of their overtly sexual element - ever noticed how their lips are real huge collagen ones, also their boobs are massive.Yuk.

i am always "reeducating" the americans i know about that word

they genuinely believe it isnt offensive, as they have been taught otherwise, but once i have explained my pov, they have changed their mind and wont use it again

i got the word edited out of a story submitted to a website i help on , with a promise of not letting it through again

didn't you get an apology from Richard Curtis too, Lou?