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Original poster

Spaz!!

37 replies

rickman · 28/03/2006 22:37

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?

OP posts:
bubblerock · 28/03/2006 22:46

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.

Christie · 28/03/2006 22:50

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JanH · 28/03/2006 22:54

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).

Ledodgy · 28/03/2006 22:55

That's terrible IMHO another reason to hate Bratz.

Original poster
rickman · 28/03/2006 22:55

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?

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lou33 · 28/03/2006 22:58

dont even get me started on this topic

Christie · 28/03/2006 23:01

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Original poster
rickman · 28/03/2006 23:04

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.

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Blu · 28/03/2006 23:14

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.

Original poster
rickman · 28/03/2006 23:23

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

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Original poster
rickman · 29/03/2006 12:13

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.

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Christie · 30/03/2006 16:55

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Christie · 30/03/2006 16:55

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Christie · 30/03/2006 16:58

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SoupDragon · 30/03/2006 17:06

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

lou33 · 30/03/2006 17:30

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

Blu · 30/03/2006 17:33

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.

Original poster
rickman · 30/03/2006 17:41

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.

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Original poster
rickman · 30/03/2006 17:42

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

OP posts:
zippitippitoes · 30/03/2006 17:44

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

Blu · 30/03/2006 17:49

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.

Blu · 30/03/2006 17:51

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

donnie · 30/03/2006 18:01

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.

lou33 · 30/03/2006 18:04

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

SoupDragon · 30/03/2006 18:42

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