'wankers' twice in the simpsons

[N_igma]

Damn what episode was it and what did they say?

 

[D'wards]

Saw it on The Fresh Prince of Bell Air once when i was in america - girl called Will it, pretty accurately. Thought it was quite strong at the time!

Saw the same episode over and they took it out.

 

[Scarlette]

We know what it means, we just don't rank it very high in the list of explicatives. Its lower than "cunt" and "fuck," but higher than "shit", and more or less equivalent to "asshole".

But they wouldn' say shit on the simpsons, would they?

 

[spanglechick]

for interest - a recent uk survey placed broadcast expletives in the following order of offensiveness:

Cunt
Motherfucker
Fuck
Wanker
Nigger
Bastard
Prick
Bollocks
Arsehole
Paki
Shag
Whore
Twat
Piss off
Spastic
Slag
Shit
Dickhead
Pissed off
Arse
Bugger
Balls
Jew
Sodding
Jesus Christ
Crap
Bloody
God

source: http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/table/0,7493,409833,00.html


got to say, i'm amazed at how high 'wanker' is on that list.

 

[Idris2002]

Really? I've suddenly come over all Mary Whitehouse, because I wouldn't want those words in what is mainly a kids' show! .

I don't think the Simpsons has ever been a kids' show, has it?

 

[scifisam]

I don't think the Simpsons has ever been a kids' show, has it?

Really? I guess I'd amend my statement to say that it's a 'family' show, but it's certain that kids are one of the main target audiences, as they are with all family shows. That does make a difference as to what's acceptable and what's not. I'd be really, really surprised if they could get away with saying 'shit' on the Simpsons.

 

[Iguana]

14yrs old acyrually!!

Tisn't, it was first broadcast in Apr 1998. It was the 200th episode.

 

[Boris Sprinkler]

for interest - a recent uk survey placed broadcast expletives in the following order of offensiveness:


source: http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/table/0,7493,409833,00.html


got to say, i'm amazed at how high 'wanker' is on that list.

spastic, paki and slag are lower than bastard, bollocks and arsehole???

What in cunting fuck?

 

[emanymton]

But they wouldn' say shit on the simpsons, would they?

I head bastard a few times, form the earlier seasons I think.

 

[emanymton]

spastic, paki and slag are lower than bastard, bollocks and arsehole???

What in cunting fuck?

And the fact that Jew is on the list at all fuck I hate people

 

[The Groke]

And the fact that Jew is on the list at all fuck I hate people

Well, all arguments about the rankings aside, "Jew" can be used as a purely derogatory term for someone who is tight or cheap, rather than specifically referring to someone as being "Jewish".

So yeah, I guess it does belong there really.

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

I don't think the Simpsons has ever been a kids' show, has it?

I don't consider it to be one. I don't think its intended to be a kids show otherwise they'd put it on saturday mornings.

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

About the ratings list, most americans would put the "n-word" either first or second, probably second because I've actually heard the word in use.

I've heard the word "tool" on primetime tv this evening and I'd class it about the same as "wanker." What's really odd is that you'd never hear the word "cunt", not even from someone who regularly uses curse words. I've heard "fuck" used six times in every sentence, but never "cunt." That's how bad be rank it.

 

[Cloo]

Yeah, I've seen 'wanker' used in a US comic book, and not one aimed at adults, with a story set in Merrie Olde England. I don't think Yanks realise how harsh it is...

 

[Santino]

I've always thought of 'wanker' as a medium range word, lower than any of the Four-Letter Classics, but worse than the more or less harmless 'sod' and 'damn'.

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

Bart has been saying 'Crap' for years despite it being on the TV list of words not to be used before 6pm (the simpsons used to be on before six). I think 'wankers' is ok after 6pm too but I will check.

The TV swear checklist makes for quite funny reading, I will have to dig it out.

 

[i_hate_beckham]

Tisn't, it was first broadcast in Apr 1998. It was the 200th episode.

You're right, i knew it was the 200th but was shocked it was as old as 10 years, seems like only yesterday i was watching the premier of that episode.

 

[GarfieldLeChat]

Really? I guess I'd amend my statement to say that it's a 'family' show, but it's certain that kids are one of the main target audiences, as they are with all family shows. That does make a difference as to what's acceptable and what's not. I'd be really, really surprised if they could get away with saying 'shit' on the Simpsons.

erm it's not a family show it's a show about a family but it wasn't and never has been aimed at kids or families for that matter...

i think you're confusing cartoon and childhood as being synonimous they are not.

 

[i_hate_beckham]

For once i agree with Garf. It was a travesty when The Simpons won best Kids TV show, it's not and never has been aimed at children.

 

[corporate whore]

That great late night chuckle-fest, Married With Children, used wanker quite a few times, 'cos it was Peggy's maiden name.

She came from a long line of Wankers, from Wanker County IIRC.

"Ah, gee Al.."

 

[gsv]

Wanker is a recent import to the US with no expletive resonance, so it's used in film and telly as a rude-word-that's-not-really-rude. eg Sliding Doors (UK production for international market).

P.S. Fair warning: Watching this movie will make you British for an hour. You'll be calling people "wankers" and saying "bollocks" a lot. The good news is, no one will know you're swearing.

GS(v)

 

[gsv]

Well, all arguments about the rankings aside, "Jew" can be used as a purely derogatory term for someone who is tight or cheap, rather than specifically referring to someone as being "Jewish".

So yeah, I guess it does belong there really.

Shut up, Jew!

GS(v)

 

[Santino]

I think it's (inclusively) a kids' show by virute of being shown at kid-friendly times and enjoyed by kids, whether or not Matt Groening or Fox ever meant it that way. Also, selling millions of pounds worth of merchandise to children, and then pretending that it's not a children's show would be immensely hypocritical (not sure if anyone's done that though).

 

[DotCommunist]

Who knew that bugger was worse than balls?

 

[Dillinger4]

When it started, cartoons were pretty much exclusively for kids.

 

[Vintage Paw]

When it started, cartoons were pretty much exclusively for kids.

That's a good point. None of this King of the Hill, Futurama, South Park stuff. It was just The Simpsons. And it so was aimed at kids as well as adults. I remember - I was a kid.

 

[linerider]

Damn what episode was it and what did they say?

It's the one with U2 and at the end Bono throws a spoon that hits Monty Burns who calls them wankers.

 

[Santino]

A different episode:

Bart: You're watching PBS?
Homer: Hey, I'm as surprised as you, but I stumbled across the most delicious British sitcom.
[the title of the show appears on the screen]
Bart: [reading it] "Do Shut Up"?
Homer: It's about a hard-drinking yet loving family of soccer hooligans. If they're not having a go with the birds, they're having a row with the wankers.
Bart: Cheeky.

 

[GarfieldLeChat]

I think it's (inclusively) a kids' show by virute of being shown at kid-friendly times and enjoyed by kids, whether or not Matt Groening or Fox ever meant it that way. Also, selling millions of pounds worth of merchandise to children, and then pretending that it's not a children's show would be immensely hypocritical (not sure if anyone's done that though).

i think you are putting your own marls on something which has none of it's own and professes none.

what you think it immaterial the program was never intended for children or to be aimed at children... it's nice that intelligent children get it it's a shame that you appearently don't...

 

[skyscraper101]

Is there more than one U2 episode then?

Because I only know the episode Trash of the Titans where Homer runs for office of Sanitation Commissioner which I've definitely seen a few times and can never remember Mo saying 'wanker'

OK I've now checked...it appears that this may have been cut from previous broadcasts as it was the very last thing said (so easy to cut). I don't know without properly seeing it though, and I may have just switched over by that point.

Here is the script in full though:

Over the credits, the members of U2 sit on an aeroplane. The Edge,
seated to the left of Bono, strums his guitar. Adam pokes his head over the
seat in front of Bono, and takes a spoon out of a paper bag.

Adam:Look, guys. I got a Springfield spoon for my spoon collection.
The Edge: Aw, 'ere we go...
Bono: How many spoons have you got now, Adam?
Adam: Nine. If I didn't have my spoons, I'd go insane.
Bono:Can I see it?

[Adam hands him the spoon; Bono promptly throws it behind his head.]

Adam:My spoon!

[the spoon lands on the head of Charles Montgomery Burns, who sits in the seat directly behind The Edge.]

Mr. Burns: [muttering] Wankers.