Posted on 08/22/2006 6:25:25 AM PDT by SittinYonder
* Tom and Jerry cartoons have been censored following a single complaint * Animation showing smoking on the Boomerang channel is to be cut * Media watchdog Ofcom investigated the complaint
Key quote "To me it's political correctness gone mad. If you're really going to be concerned about children taking something up perhaps Ofcom could look at Tom dropping an anvil on Jerry's head or putting Jerry in an egg slicer. " - Adrian Monck, media analyst
Story in full TOM and Jerry can flatten each other with anvils and batter themselves senseless with mallets, but censors have drawn a line when it comes to watching the cartoon cat and mouse enjoy a cigarette.
Following a single complaint to the media watchdog Ofcom, scenes showing characters smoking in the classic cartoons are being cut.
Similar scenes in other cartoons including The Flintstones and Scooby Doo are also destined for the cutting room floor.
The censorship, which was described by one media commentator as "patronising", was prompted after a viewer contacted Ofcom to complain about cartoons broadcast on the children's channel Boomerang, saying they were not appropriate for young viewers.
In one Oscar-winning episode, Texas Tom, Tom is seen rolling a cigarette, lighting it and smoking it in a bid to impress a female cat. In Tennis Champs, Tom's opponent in a tennis match was seen smoking a large cigar.
Ofcom investigated the complaint and the channel agreed to cut scenes in future which glamorise or condone smoking.
Ofcom said: "We recognise that these are historic cartoons, most of them having been produced in the 40s, 50s, 60s, at a time when smoking was more generally accepted.
"We note that, in Tom and Jerry, smoking usually appears in a stylised manner and is frequently not condoned.
"However, while we appreciate the historic integrity of the animation, the level of editorial justification required for the inclusion of smoking in such cartoons is necessarily high."
Boomerang, part of Turner Broadcasting, has an audience made up predominantly of children - 56 per cent of viewers are aged four to 14.
The Turner company has agreed to review its archive material and edit scenes or references where smoking is glamorised or might encourage imitation. Smoking scenes which do not appear to condone the habit may be left uncut.
The company is also planning to edit out smoking scenes from classic Hanna Barbera cartoons including Scooby Doo, The Jetsons and The Flintstones.
Last night, media analyst Adrian Monck said: "To me it's political correctness gone mad. If you're really going to be concerned about children taking something up perhaps Ofcom could look at Tom dropping an anvil on Jerry's head or putting Jerry in an egg slicer. It's actually very patronising. Children are well able to discern that there is not anything cool about a cartoon cat doing something. It's mad to think they would even think of imitating what they see. If that was the case the streets of Scotland would be full of children acting out scenes from the cartoons.
"Of course parents are right to be concerned about what children see on television. Violence impacts negatively but it's just plain silly to think children will be running around copying what they see on screen."
Neil Rafferty, of Forest, the smokers' rights group, said Ofcom's decision set a dangerous precedent.
"Yes, smoking is bad for you and the issue needs to be addressed. But the more you make something like smoking illicit and taboo, the greater the likelihood of youngsters taking it up as a way of rebelling.
"Ofcom may not have noticed but Tom and Jerry is insanely violent. But instead of mentioning this, they are picking on cigarettes. If we start censoring old cartoons because they have a cat smoking in them it will merely create an completely unrealistic world for children."
Fiona Hyslop, SNP education spokeswoman and mother of three young children, said: "My brother's called Tom and when we were young we played at Tom and Jerry. I was always Jerry because he was the smart one.
"Any five-year-old could tell you Tom will always get his comeuppance. If my children saw Tom smoking in a cartoon they'd just think he was a stupid cat. Anyone who knows the cartoon knows Tom is the one who does daft things and would not want to identify with him."
Tom and Jerry, created, written and directed by animators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, was first censored in 1965 when it appeared on CBS Saturday morning television.
Mammy Two-Shoes, the black housekeeper, was rotoscoped out and replaced with a thin white woman. Scenes of extreme violence were also removed.
They fight, and fight, and fight and fight and fight. They fight fight fight, fight fight fight...it's the Itchy and Scratchy Show!
ROFLOL
Oh the injustice of it all! How are kids gonna ever learn that smoking is cool? Especially when one first starts and there's a lot of coughing and stuff, that's when these images are so neceassryy.
First they came for Barney Rubble as spokeperson for Winston's and I didn't complain. Then they came for Tom and Jerry and I still didn't complain enough. When they finally came for Joe Camel it was too late. The whole world had discovered the only thing that was stupid was to continue smoking despite the fact that it kills you more often than not.
Nazi opinion! Nazi opinion! Nazi opinion! Anti! Anti! Anti! Fools all!
Robert Mitchum.
I remember the first time I saw him was in 'ThunderRoad'.
Bet you won't be seeing any old movie "marathons" too much longer.
You said: Don't worry, next Tom won't be dropping anvils, either.
***
Yes, I can see it now-- the cartoons will depict calm, detached discussions between Tom and Jerry over milk, as to why they just can't get along. We will all flock to see those cartoons-- NOT.
I was thinking calm, detached discussions between Tom and Jerry over milk about how they can get the government to pass legislation preventing the bulldog from slurping when he drinks from his water bowl.
You know, anti-slurping activism and looking out for the greater good.
Who's dying??
Bump for later...
Your computer seems to be spewing inanities.
Based on a single complaint.
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