Cartoon tops watchdog's shit list

South Park has been named the most offensive programme on TV.

An American watchdog group counted the sexual references, swearing and violence in several shows, and the animated series came out top with an average of 126 such moments every hour.

The MTV shows Undergrads and Celebrity Deathmatch were next with averages of 73 and 66.

The scores were part of a survey by the Parents Television Council that found basic cable TV more offensive than the main networks.

President and founder of the 700,000-strong group, L. Brent Bozell III, added: "The study clearly reveals that the cable industry is eclipsing the broadcast networks' ability to crank out offensive programming in prime time.

"Unless the cable networks realise the error in such a business strategy, we will continue to see the further degradation of cable programming."

A Comedy Central spokesman said the survey failed to "provide context", adding that the station "is not designed for kids. It's designed for adults."

He said South Park was at the top of the council's list because of an episode that used the word 'shit' 162 times as part of a satire on profanity.

Parents Television Council applies pressure to companies who advertise during shows it considers unsuitable.

Published: 30 Jan 2002