BBC Radio 1 has decided to censor the word “faggot” from the Chrimbo classic “Fairytale of New York”, by The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl, due to it presumably possibly offending some narrow-minded imbeciles (of no specified sexual orientation).
Cheerfully Radio 2 will be playing the full uncensored version.
As the article points out, several humans with brains (both straight and gay) have derided the ban as ludicrous, but ‘veteran gay rights activist Peter Tatchell’ quoth
It is shameful that BBC Radio 2 and other radio and TV stations are continuing to play the full version with the word faggot included. It shows that they don’t take homophobic language as seriously as racist language.
Another line which has been censored is where Shane dubs Kirsty “an old slut on junk”. What? Why? Is it offensive to sluts? Or junkies? Or is it simply the fact of “Ooooh you can’t say nasty things at Christmas!”
The song is about two people having a screaming row at Christmas time and using offensive language to each other. If this is a problem, then simply don’t play the song – and while you’re on, why not distribute free Soma* to us all at the same time! A gramme is better than a damn, after all!
–c.
* If this means nothing to you, please mentally substitute Prozac. Similar thing.
PS. If Radio 1 would like to play an alternative version of the song, it’s possible they might find an (unauthorised) instrumental version of it somewhere…
I’m firmly in the “don’t play it” camp. Not ‘cos of the language but because I’m heartily sick of it.
The speed with which Radio 1 has backed down, makes me wonder if this was some half-assed ploy to get the tune enough publicity to put it to number 1. Also, you can tell Mr Tatchell just what you think about this stuff, over here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2229636,00.html