But I would kindly ask the TV Land folks to stop censoring 'Sanford and Son,' specifically editing out the n-word from several episodes of the hit comedy, which ran from 1972-1977. ...
I've noticed that on several episodes, when the word nigger is uttered by a character, another word is substituted in its place.
For example, in the original broadcast of the 'Big Money Grip' episode, when Grip, an old friend of Fred Sanford, declares Fred's son, Lamont, is his own child, Aunt Esther exclaims "What did you say, nigger?"
The original line brought howls of laughter from the studio audience, but you wouldn't know that from watching the show on TV Land. The word sucker is clumsily dubbed into the audio track.
I can remember at least two other instances where the n-word is pulled from the original broadcast. I'm not sure who or what is to blame. Political correctness, perhaps, but it's funny how we have regressed.
Hearing the n-word doesn't cause black people to turn into a pile of dust. Yes, I admit it is still a word that can start a fight if uttered by the wrong person in the wrong tone of voice. But that's not what we were talking about in the 'Sanford and Son' episodes. There, it's part of an extremely funny joke.
So come on, TV Land. Let Fred Sanford and Aunt Esther speak the way they were intended.
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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By: James Ervin Berry on 2/13/2009 11:17AM
That is one of the problems I have with television and movies. We take things from the past and judge them according to our current standards. It changes the scope of history and hides the truth that we are not all the same. It's actually an insult in my opinion.
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By: Sandye on 2/16/2009 4:22PM
James,
I am white and used to teach in a school where the students were Black. This was during the late 70's and early 80's when young men used to call each other the 'n' word. I do not like to term since I have heard it refer to both white and Black people. I informed my students that, "If I couldn't say the word, neither could they."
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By: kentdenero on 2/16/2009 4:48PM
James, I disagree with you on this. Your ability to discern and reference the time and individual Fred Sanford was, may be different than those who find the need to use word commonly in life. You want to preserve the artistic integrity but there are millions of people(white,black and hispanic)who would/do find it appropiate just because it was/is on t.v.
I don't believe you to be of these persons but the lowering standards of black people is starting to piss me off. Things that you and I would have been offended in childhood is acceptable in everyday life of some minorities. It is challenging to have a conversation with others.
This move by TV land is not something they started it has been a growing swell with seeds planted and nourished by blacks in Chicago and New York.
Having had to deal with racial physical violence and discrimination, as a mid 30's male growing up, I would like to see one day my grandchildren not having ever heard this word and I have to explain to them my childhood and my parents childhood.
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By: Truth Man on 2/17/2009 12:56PM
I found this also true of the 3 Stooges. Edited out were "Japs" and "Mammy". What was acceptable in 1935 should not be censored today.
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By: areBrown on 2/17/2009 2:11PM
I heard this black young men using the term in every single statement ( and believe me this is happening in college.
What to do with the own blacks calling each other the n-word ?
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By: Chuck on 2/17/2009 10:06PM
Just watched the clip. that was such a great show. It should be censored though. Just like any other profanity. You wouldn't expect to hear f--k on TV Land, so why would you expect to hear nig--r? Save the curse words for the premium channels like HBO, Cinemax, et al.
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By: Char on 2/18/2009 4:07AM
I agree with you, James!! Now you got me started!!
By "erasing" the past, we are erasing the blood, sweat and tears that people suffered through to get to where we are today.
If we act like it didn't happen, we don't learn anything from it. To me, there is way too much censorship in the USA today. For a "free" country, we have a lot of people telling us what not to do. Nothing is OK anymore. You have to watch everything you say and do, or you will offend someone!
Well, I am offended, but no one gives a damn!
I am a plump, blonde, "white" woman, through no fault of my own, mind you, but I am the suppressor, and I have only ever been caring and polite to everyone!
I am the offender, yet I have only wished someone a Merry Christmas or "God blessed" a sneeze!
I am evil, yet I only want the same rights that everyone is entitled to!
I am prejudice, because I want to preserve and remember our past and celebrate how far we/they have come!
People can watch porn in the privacy of their own homes, but Americans cannot legally buy or rent the Disney movie, "the Song of the South".
To me that is an incredible injustice!!! I have seen "Roots" many times and both movies seem to be telling of the way things were. Should we ban "Roots", also? Yes, the truth hurts!! It should!! No one should be treated like that! But kids need to learn respect and know the truth of their past!
As a child growing up in northern Illinois, I had no idea that black people had been/were treated differently. I heard occasional racist remarks, but they were usually made by older, ignorant people and I paid no attention. My mom took my sister and I to see "The Song of the South" and we were astonished!!! Not only was it a beautiful movie, but I saw a world I never knew existed! Even though the blacks in the movie seemed happy because they were smiling and singing, as an 8 year old, I knew that something was not right! We had an ongoing discussion about the movie and, more than anything, I felt so proud that my fellow Americans had learned that slavery was evil and treating someone differently because they looked different, was not right! These people had lived through such horrible injustices and could now walk the streets as free people - not blacks, not niggers/negroes, not slaves - just people. It was in the mid 70's, so we still had a way to go, but look how far we've come!!!
Seeing an old TV show or movie with a reminder of how bad things were, in my opinion, only reminds us of where we were and to keep moving forward!!
I do also agree with 'kentdenero', though. If the youngest generations never ever heard these racist terms, we certainly will have come far!! It is part of our past, but we do not have to run around "remembering" it on the streets.
(Can I say this?) May you all be blessed - whatever you call yourself! ;-) ~Char
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By: Paul on 2/18/2009 9:20AM
The real argument here is not about the use of this word or any other for that matter. This is a television show and therefore falls under the category of art. If they intend to change anything than they shouldn't be broadcasting it in the first place. I mean c'mon, I think the Mona Lisa is a fine work of art although she is ugly but you don't see me standing in the Louvre with paint brush in hand do you?
The bottom line is that if a station does not agree with the content of any given production than just don't show it. However, I do not believe any of our comments here will change much so I suggest we boycott TV Land and just buy the series on DVD. I am sure it isn't modified there.
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By: lola on 2/13/2009 12:14PM
I think they should continue to censor it. We are in a different time where the word is no longer "PC"; also black people are not the only ones who watch the show & I think they don't want to send the message that Aunt Esther used it, so can I.
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By: will on 2/16/2009 2:09PM
how come they are allowed to use words like pollock,krautt, guinny, wop, harp, etc.
why should nigger be any different?
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