Storm over new US sitcom

Puritanical conservatives are threatening to organise a mass boycott of any company that advertises in a new sitcom that merely hints at a mild swearword.

America’s Parents Television Council last week sent ‘a stern warning letter’ to 300 regular TV advertisers urging them to stay away from the CBS sitcom $#*! My Dad Says, unless the name is changed

The organisation calls the title an ‘abomination’, even though the network bleeps out the first word on air and uses the symbols whenever it is printed.

Campaign president Tim Winter said: ‘Unless or until CBS chooses a different title for this program, we are urging advertisers to avoid sponsoring such an abomination purported to be lighthearted fun

‘The advertisers have two options

Either they can be complicit in the effort to serve up excrement in front of children and families, or they can choose not to associate their products and services with excrement.

‘The question is why CBS feels the need to shove harsh profanity into the faces of Americans through the programme’s title.

'Their reliance on symbols as a veil is feeble at best.

‘Most corporations don’t want their customers to associate their products or services with excrement.

I certainly hope advertisers agree that their hard-earned brands are worth more than this raunchy attempt at humor.’

He said he will name and shame all the companies who failed to comply with his request

The sitcom, initially based on a Twitter feed of the same name, stars William Shatner and is due to start on September 23

The actor has no time for the complaints, telling reporter: ‘Do you know what I wish? I wish they would call it “Shit” The word “shit” is around us

It isn’t a terrible term

It’s a natural function

Why are we pussyfooting?’

Here is a trailer:

Published: 15 Aug 2010