Network says 'fuckity bye' to swearing...

It’s a show where much of the comedy comes from elaborately constructed swearing… but The Thick Of It was heavily ‘bleeped’ when it aired in American last night.

Although the political satire went out at midnight, BBC America decided the US public was not ready for the stream of F-bombs emanating from the mouth of spin doctor Malcolm Tucker and others.

Writer Simon B l a c k w e l l wrote on Twitter: ‘Apparently BBC America bleeped The Thick Of It . Must have sounded like a lorry reversing into a heart monitor.’

Fans immediately took to social media to protest the censorship on the third series.

Helen Burton wrote on Facebook: ‘Why is every other word 'beeped'? Everyone knows what they are saying. It is on late so parents can put their kids to bed and watch. This is completely unnecessary.’

Steve Darner added: ‘The show is on at midnight here, what ever happened to the adult time watershed? We watched and The Thick Of It and 15 minutes in we deleted the BLEEPING DVR recording. If you are going to air ADULT TV shows during adult hours, then don't edit or censor them.’

BBC America launched the third series of the show, featuring Rebecca Front as new minister Nicola Murray,to coincide with the spin-off HBO series Veep, again created by Armando Iannucci.

A spokesman told Chortle: 'Regarding your question: BBC America abides by basic cable television common practice in the US in using bleeps to cover profanity in its programmes.'

The cable broadcaster previously aired The Inbetweeners and Skins with the rude words bleeped out, too.

Published: 30 Apr 2012