Last January, PopWatchers called out certain networks for their questionable editing of feature films. Now, we’d like you to file charges against networks that are unintentionally inflicting bad editing on good TV. I’ll go first…
The Perp: Logo. I first saw all five seasons of Showtime’s Queer as Folk on YouTube, so I was looking forward to watching the late-night Logo repeats on my 26" flatscreen. That is until I saw episode 202. Spoiler alert circa 2002, that’s the one where Brian (Gale Harold) has to help Justin (Randy Harrison), who’d been bashed at his prom in the first season finale, remember the near fatal attack so he can begin to move past it. The whole point is that Justin won’t touch or allow himself to be touched, so it’s a big deal when he finally tells Brian "I want you inside me." Only Logo cut it to "I want you." Then, the network cut the entire sex scene, which angered me not as someone who’d just started the weekend with multiple mojitos and would’ve been pleased to see a nude Brian Kinney, but as someone who knew that they’d trimmed a love scene that had actual character development. It’s the first time we see Brian — who doesn’t believe in love or romance — be that tender. The first (and maybe only?) time we believe that hedonistic Brian’s primary concern in bed is his partner.
We asked Logo to explain what gives, and Marc Leonard, SVP of Multiplatform Programming, was kind enough to respond: Obviously, any show that goes from a paid cable channel such as Showtime or HBO to an ad-supported network like Logo will have to be trimmed to make room for commercials. "Of course we strongly avoid editing out the scenes that most significantly advance the story," he said in an email. "Some material is also edited for content. Audience expectations for content on ad-supported television channels are different than for paid TV channels, so basic cable and network outlets edit paid cable shows for this wider audience. Ad-supported channels edit content to exclude explicit sexual dialogue, nudity, expletives and gratuitous violence. And MTV Networks, Logo’s parent company, is proud of its long-running tradition of applying the same policies across all channels equally, and treating LGBT sexual depictions the same as heterosexual ones."
In short, I’ll need to rent the DVDs.
Your turn.
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Recently I was starting to watch “Steel Magnolias” on OXYGEN (perfect channel for it, right?) when I started noticing a LOT of missing lines. Became so upset, I changed the channel. I mean, what gives? They’ve shown this movie on TBS, TNT, etc, totally uncut, so why edit for OXYGEN? Is The Oprah tooo sensitive so such things?
IT IS worth buying the complete series box set. . .I cant watch QasF on LOGO cus i know they always edit alot of it. . .LIKE ALOT! Its not the same. . .and what gives, its a GAY network anyway…
I got the box set and have totally loved it. Unless Showtime replays the show I would not watch it on TV. That scene was one of the most Brian endearing moments in all five seasons. That and the last scene in season 2 ep. 14.
Imho, their response is crap. There is some substantial character development on QAF that occurs during the sex scenes, (207, the “I want you safe” scene, for example). I can understand them editing it during primetime but they should at least have an unedited (or very minimally edited) version available late night. There are other channels that are advertiser supported that show some pretty edgy stuff so I’m sure if LOGO really wanted to show QAF unedited (or minimally edited) they could.
You’re definitely way better off with the DVDs.
I was watching Kill Bill Vol 2 this weekend on Peachtree (TBS) and thought it was funny that they could show Uma Thurman pulling out Darryl Hannah’s eyeball and throwing it on the floor but had to edit out the “p” word for cat wagon
Dear LOGO,
Why would you buy the rights to QaF and then chop out the important parts? If you can’t show the sex scenes in a show about sexuality, why bother?
The syndicated version of SATC on TNT (or TBS or whatever it is) is completely unwatcheable. Some of the funniest lines are ridiculously cut up. Having seen each episode so many times that I can remember what they SHOULD be saying, it makes it impossible to watch the edited versions.
In “While You Were Sleeping,” USA and TNT cut the “You’re a putz” to “You’re a bum” line. I can understand the “schmeckel” line as being borderline racy, but “putz?” Seriously?
I had been thinking about upgrading to digital cable JUST so I would be able to get LOGO… until I was at a friend’s house and saw how severely they were butchering QaF. The show could be edited to exclude the sex without completely destroying it as they have done, but I don’t think this is an unintentional bad edit job. It’s an intentional massacre. It’s not just the sex being removed — many kisses, touches, gazes, and lines critical to the storylines have been hacked out. Seeing only the LOGO version would give a completely inaccurate impression of the show and its characters.
Oops. Hit enter before I finished my point.
The upshot is, I will never support/get LOGO until they stop this abhorrent practice. And thus I have not upgraded to digital cable — their actions have lost business for the cable company as well.
A&E edits for language in things like “Criminal Minds”. Suddenly, stuff that passed muster at 9pm on CBS is not OK on cable at 11pm?
I paid for Showtime just to watch QaF. I bought the every one of the DVDs. I watched the Logo version and prompty turned it off. Their answer about editing is pure BS. Just recently (maybe last week?) I saw frontal nudity on Fox Movie Channel. My husband was watching one of the Porky’s movies (we do not share the same taste) and I thought he had in a DVD when I saw all the nudity. Then I saw the first commercial break and was stunned! So Logo is just playing scared. Turn on any episode of CSI and you’ll see more shocking stuff and naked parts than on LOGO. In the process, they’re ruining some great movies and TV shows and alienating those of us who they need the most – VIEWERS!
If they’re not willing to show it as originally intended, why bother show it at all?
Yeah, QaF is better off watched online or on DVD. I noticed a lot of editing for Skins on BBCAmerica. I also think Swingers on CBS would have been more interesting on Showtime or HBO.
But has anyone noticed that they show Ben and Michael having sex, (the kitchen counter scene) but then cut out Brian and Justin kissing? It is biased editing and I don’t understand it.