Remember the complaints about Eastenders talking about someone having an 'epi'?

[edam]

Just got a response from the Beeb to my complaint about Bianca in Eastenders talking about 'having an epi'. It misses the point entirely, as I've told them. The day I see a character on Eastenders using the word 'Paki' is the day I'll believe this line of argument...

*

Thank you for your e-mail.

We were very sorry to hear that you were upset by comments made by Bianca in the episode of 'EastEnders' which transmitted on 02 June.

We certainly didn't mean to cause offence or upset any of our audience with this episode.

'EastEnders' tries to reflect life as it really is and the term 'eppy' is a commonly used figure of speech.

Although we appreciate that it is not 'politically correct', we feel it is the sort of language which Bianca would use.

Of course, other characters wouldn't use the same language but this was very much in keeping with Bianca's character that viewers have come to know over the past 15 years.

We're sorry for any offence caused as this wasn't our intention.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Regards

BBC Complaints

Well no - far be it from me to disagree with the Codmeister - but surely the BBC have some sort of social responsibility when it comes to these things?? We're talking about a derogotary term here!! I;m sure the BBC could have come up with another term that would have the same impact?

I think if Bianca had said "she's being mental" there would have been a MN outcry. I don't see the difference personally.

If it's heard on the t.v other people will start to use it, I don't care if it's in 'character', if that's the case,most of the cast of EE should be swearing like dockers.

Exactly, coco. Eastenders is not an accurate reflection of everyday real life in East London so the excuse is thinner than a layer of paint 0.2 microns thick.

IRL Bianca would be effing and blinding, but they don't show her doing that!

I completely agree with Edam. It is too subtle to say that its 'in character' for Bianca to use that kind of term. The character is copied in the playground (Rickaaay etc.) and children would not have the knowledge from the context to know that what she said was wrong. Its one thing having an Alf Garnett character who is obviously a bigot, its another thing using that language on a programme that is clearly aimed at children with no discussion to show that it is wrong.

Politically correct? This implies that a person would only object to the term 'epi' for political reasons. What kind of person wouldn't find it offensive?

Tinkerbelle's Mum - exactly. As far as I know you can't even use a traditional word beginning with F to describe sexual intercourse on the BBC.

trouble is..on one hand I agree that the BBC could have thought of whether a word/phrase that means epileptic fit woould offend

But on the other hand it is in character and it would be wholly boring and unbelievable if everyone just started speaking in the same way with the same awareness of peoples' feelings.

I always thought eppy referred to episode

Do people see things differently if they are personally affected ie I see episode, you see epileptic?

No, it doesn't, minority, it refers to epilepsy as in epileptic fit or seizure. Because a child flailing around in a tantrum is soooo like someone having a seizure.

I understand that some people don't realise this but professional writers bloody well should do. I take the trouble to avoid using discriminatory language in my writing and I expected the same from other people when I was an editor.

But it does sanitize characters so much that they may as well not exist..(not that I'm arguing there I don't watch ANY soaps)

"it would be wholly boring and unbelievable"

Because Eastenders is exciting and believable? Its a rather past it soap aimed at a young audience. It is not gritty realism.

"term 'eppy' is a commonly used figure of speech" - never heard it before it was used on eastenders

"The thing that gets me is that kids watch eastenders and will think that the term is acceptable. Try explaining that it's "in character" to an 11 year old."

If your child can't understand that soap characters do all kinds of unacceptable things, then they really shouldn't be watching them. Think of all the cheating, aggression, dishonesty, unkindness and debauchery portrayed in these programmes...

why are people more bothered by a term used by a character than the fact that the whole square is sleeping with each other in almost every episode.
I would never let my dcs watch such crap

If you think Bianca wouldnt say paki or similar if she were a real life person then you are very naive and most probably quite sheltered!

Then I am V. Naive of South London because I don't hear people anywhere saying paki.

Now, cunt is a different matter

Ryobi, can I remind you of my previous post? (I'm going to anyway)

"IRL Bianca would be effing and blinding, but they don't show her doing that!"

The issue is not whether my children watch soap operas, but about words that are disparaging to people with conditions like epilepsy being normalised in the wider world.

To be honest, its not particularly pleasant to hear children use swear words, but its not the end of the world. On the other hand, imagine that you or your sister have epilepsy and you are eight and you are in the playground and somebody says "Oh, don't have an epi" - how do you feel? How do you feel about yourself? Do you think its more or less likely that your class mates will understand your condition or your sibling's condition or your mum's condition?

why is that so different to

oh, don't have a fit? which nobody would kick off about?

tho?

my dh has epilepsy and is liable to say this himself (epi) so I take the view that it only has power in a negative sense if you allow it to.

well done edam for complaining(i lost the will to fight after starting a thread on here about it)
it is weird that iteligant people can find excuses for useing crap "slang"
EE is not true to life in most ways. if it was their would be a lot more sex and swearing. so the BBC are talking shite.

a fit of temper maybe?

I agree with the letter too.

It's NOT REAL. It's a soap. She is a character.

i am really pleased for you

I complained to the Beeb about the same thing, & got EXACTLY the same reply..