Ofcom probe into 'censorship' of Monty Python's swearing

It is normally charged with keeping swearing OFF the television. But now broadcast watchdog Ofcom is investigating the live TV broadcast of Monty Python's farewell show because the bad language was cut out.

The show started at 7.30pm on July 20, 90 minutes before the watershed, and chunks of dialogue were replaced by what one reviewer called ‘the shrillest, whiniest, most grating beep you'll ever hear in your life’.

Viewers were not warned about the edits unit the interval, when presenter Dara O’Briain blamed Ofcom, for the censorship, saying the language would have breached its guidelines.

A total of 34 viewers complained about ‘cuts’ and ‘censorship’ – and now the regulator has launched an investigation.

A spokesman said: ‘All our licensees are required to comply with our broadcasting rules, which make clear that the most offensive language cannot be shown on television before the watershed.

‘As a post-transmission regulator, we are not involved in editorial decision making and can only investigate programmes or take action against any channel after a programme's broadcast.’

An uncensored version of the show at London’s O2 Arena was screened two days later, after the watershed. But Gold primarily marketed the as-it-happened version, which brought them record ratings, with an average audience of 597,000.

Published: 19 Aug 2014