Madonna's language sparks fresh complaints to BBC

by Daniel Farey-Jones Brand Republic 12-May-08, 11:00

LONDON - The BBC has received a number of complaints after Madonna resorted to swearing again, live on air this time, during the corporation's coverage of Radio 1's Big Weekend gig.

Madonna, who landed the BBC in trouble by swearing at the Live Earth gig last year, introduced the song 'Hung Up' by saying: "You guys are going to have to start fucking it up out there cos I need to feel some love.

"I'm going to do an old song. But not too old. Fuck the present. Let's live in the past."

The BBC received four complaints in all, two of which related to Radio 1's coverage and two to BBC Three's.

A BBC spokeswoman pointed out that the swearing had been broadcast after the watershed and the coverage had followed a clear warning that there could be strong language. The set was also followed by an apology from presenter Zane Low.

Last year's Live Earth gig attracted 150 complaints to the BBC due to swearing by Madonna, Phil Collins and Razorlight's Johnny Borrell, leading Ofcom to instruct the corporation to issue two on-air explanations.

Comments

David Llewelyn-Jones

David Llewelyn-Jones - 12/05/2008

"explanations"? of what, exactly? that people swear, and that the BBC, at a late hour, might occassionally broadcast someone swearing, something that they have no direct control over? gimme a break, it's pretty harmless. Turn on the news and see bloated, contorted bodies floating face down in the water in Burma at 9pm...

 
 
pixie x

pixie x - 12/05/2008

Who are these 'four' pple who can be arsed to complain? Surely if you have chosen to listen to this kind of programming, you have to take pple like madonna with a pinch of salt...get a life!!!

 
 
Nuts n Seeds

Nuts n Seeds - 12/05/2008

Totally. Madonna sounded a bit like your Mum swearing (always a bit weird if you ask me) but come one - let's get over it.

 
 
Jonathan Godson

Jonathan Godson - 12/05/2008

Surely the point is to lead by example? Of course swearing goes on so does smoking and a whole raft of other anti social things. As a public funded broadcaster though why shouldn't the BBC try and adopt some high ground and set standards? As for the 'watershed', that becomes more and more lame with iplayer and downloads so freely available.

 
 
Gordon Macmillan

Gordon Macmillan - 12/05/2008

My mum never swears.

 
 
Jeremy Lee

Jeremy Lee - 12/05/2008

Must have been like watching Nan from Catherine Tate show. I abhor swearing. Really.

 
 
Jeremy Lee

Jeremy Lee - 12/05/2008

Good for her!

 
 
Charlie Harrisson

Charlie Harrisson - 12/05/2008

Yawn

 
 
Keith Geddes

Keith Geddes - 12/05/2008

Four complaints.. I guess thats a `few`... what time? When she said M/F at the arts awards that time, she knew it would be reported.. I`m still wondering how many people have complained about Felicity Kendal saying `bowlocks` in Rosemary and Thyme repeats at 3.30pm.. but then it was made for later evening.. no one worries now on multi channel then? Yes.. its general language now.. remember when writers were allowed so many naughty words in a certain time, or flashes in a film? Ken Russell made me laugh.. John Trevellian was it.. ok, two of those and one of those then. How rediculous.

 
 
Julian Hough

Julian Hough - 12/05/2008

If Brand Republc are to publish swear words then there should be some sort of warning. It really is distressing to see marketeers associated with the crude language of the gutter. Where or where is the online equivalent of the watershed? I fear for our collective futures.

 
 
Peter Riley

Peter Riley - 12/05/2008

I agree that the BBC should be encouraged to take the high ground. It's all part of how their brand is different than every other broadcaster. Swearing happens, but it's admirable that the BBC is reminding us that some still find it offensive. Fuck all wrong with that.

 
 
Jeremy Lee

Jeremy Lee - 12/05/2008

Madonna should be made to apologise for this. And for her version of American Pie

 
 
Awalla Fa'Shagba

Awalla Fa'Shagba - 12/05/2008

I wish she would just fuck off basically.

 
 
Andrew Harrison

Andrew Harrison - 13/05/2008

filth mouth

 
 
Archie Strang

Archie Strang - 14/05/2008

She looks really awkward holding that guitar and clearly her remarks were scripted by that berk she's married to.

 
 
Jeremy Lee

Jeremy Lee - 15/05/2008

scraggy old bint anyhoo

 
 

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