Broadcaster admits it was wrong

Channel 4 has admitted it was wrong to edit the word ‘gay’ out of The Simpsons.

The broadcaster admitted the cut came when it considered what language was suitable – but confessed there was nothing offensive about the line.

The edit came as the broadcaster repeated a 1994 episode in which Homer and Ned Flanders become friends at an American football match.

On the way in to the game, Homer is ashamed to be seen with his neighbour, but he softens after Ned pays for mountains of food and introduces him to the star quarterback.

As they drive away, passing workmakes Lenny and Carl in the car park, Homer proudly yells out of the window: 'I want everyone to know that this is Ned Flanders ... my friend!'

In the original, Lenny turns to Carl and says: 'What'd he say?'

Carl replies: 'I dunno. Somethin' about being gay.'

And it cuts to commercial.

But when Channel 4 aired the Homer Loves Flanders episode was aired at 12.55pm on Sunday, Carl’s line was edited out, and the adverts came abruptly after Lenny’s 'What'd he say?'

A spokesman for the broadcaster told Chortle: ‘We always carefully consider the context in which language is used in our programming however in this instance the episode was edited in error as neither the word nor the context was unsuitable.’

The Simpsons has a good reputation for tackling gay storylines. It hit the headlines in 2005 when Springfield legalised same-sex marriage in a bid to attract more visitors – prompting Marge’s sister Patty to come out as a lesbian.

Published: 5 Nov 2012