Kathy Griffin's Emmy speech to be censored for television

Laurent · September 11th, 2007, 11:09 AM

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Griffin's Emmy remarks to be censored
By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer
Tue Sep 11

LOS ANGELES - Before Kathy Griffin won a creative arts Emmy last weekend for her reality show, "My Life on the D-List," she joked that an award would move her to the C-list. She was right: "C" as in censored. The TV academy said her raucous acceptance speech will be edited when the event, which was taped, is shown Saturday on the E! channel.

The main prime-time Emmy Awards air the next night on Fox.

"Kathy Griffin's offensive remarks will not be part of the E! telecast on Saturday night," the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences said in a statement Monday.

In her speech, Griffin said that "a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus."

She went on to hold up her Emmy, make an off-color remark about Christ and proclaim, "This award is my god now!"

The comedian's remarks were condemned Monday by Catholic League President Bill Donohue, who called them a "vulgar, in-your-face brand of hate speech."

According to the TV academy and E!, when the four hour-plus ceremony is edited into a two-hour program, Griffin's remarks will be shown in "an abbreviated version" in which some language may be bleeped.

The program was in production and unfinished, an E! spokeswoman said Monday.

Requests for comment were left Monday evening by phone and e-mail with Griffin's publicist. They were not immediately returned.

The Catholic League, an anti-defamation group, called on the TV academy to "denounce Griffin's obscene and blasphemous comment" at Sunday's ceremony.

The academy said Monday it had no plans to address the issue in the prime-time broadcast.

The organization may have another delicate issue to consider, this one involving an off-color fake music video that aired last December on "Saturday Night Live" and won a creative arts Emmy for best song.

Andy Samberg of "SNL" said Saturday that he had yet to be asked by the TV academy to perform the tune with Timberlake on the Fox broadcast, but he was willing. Timberlake, on a concert tour, is scheduled to be in Los Angeles next weekend.

The subject of their "(Blank) in a Box" video: wrapping a certain part of the male anatomy and presenting it to a loved one as a holiday present.

The academy has said that "show elements are in the process of being worked out."

___

On the Net:

Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

Catholic League: For Religious and Civil Rights

Griffin's Emmy remarks to be censored - Yahoo! News

Honestly, I'm uncomfortable with what she said and do find it offensive to my personal beliefs, but I don't understand why she has to be censored. Whatever happened to exercising a little personal censoring and turning the channel?

Nothing like having the thought police in your house.

sweetrebel · September 11th, 2007, 11:14 AM

It kinda irks me, too, Laurent
I don't understand why they will censor shit, fuck, ass, dick, p**sy, c*nt, mother fucker...you get the picture, but will allow someone to take God's name in vain. I know it doesn't bother some people to say it or hear it, but to me, it is a million times more offensive than the words they bleep.

Folieadeux · September 11th, 2007, 11:19 AM

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In her speech, Griffin said that "a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus."

I honestly do find it unfortunate if the above offends your personal beliefs, I understand why. But those are Kathy's personal beliefs and she should be entitled to say it without being censored.

exiled · September 11th, 2007, 11:20 AM

I think she's hilarious and the censoring of her remarks makes me realize even more why I could never live in the states.

tkdgirl · September 11th, 2007, 11:29 AM

I understand she's a comedian and was probably joking. But let's put this in context... if she said Allah instead of Jesus, there would have been a HUGE outcry from CAIR.

This isn't a free speech issue at all. The government is not censoring political speech here. The network ultimately has the right to do what it believes is in the best interest of its audience. Of course, I firmly believe the best form of censorship is to turn the channel.

Syd · September 11th, 2007, 12:37 PM

Excellent points, tkdgirl.

I don't like the Network acting as my sensitivity censor. I understand why they need to censor vulgarity. But I'd rather they leave the stuff they deem sensitive, and I'll make up my own mind. Fuck this sheeple mentality.

terralisa · September 11th, 2007, 01:33 PM

Censoring certain words is okay, but censoring content seems completely wrong to me. This is a free country, with freedom of speech. Not everybody holds the same religious beliefs, and everyone should be able to speak about their beliefs, no matter how different they may be. I don't get offended when someone believes something different from me. I respectfully disagree. Which is what everyone should do who thinks she should be censored. You should learn to respectfully disagree.

LynnieD · September 11th, 2007, 01:38 PM

I love Kathy, she does no wrong in my book. She was just excited. I don't personally have any issue with what she said, but if someone else does, thats ok too.

VenusInFauxFurs · September 11th, 2007, 01:40 PM

That's considered hate speech? wow!

jasonx · September 11th, 2007, 02:23 PM

Well, the article above left out the most offensive part. This is what she actually said:

“A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this. He had nothing to do with this. Suck it, Jesus! This award is my God now.”

I'm not quite sure if that's hate speech, but without a doubt, the "suck it" part was extremely offensive and crude. And her being a comedienne doesn't allow her to say anything she wants without potential repercussions. Remember Michael Richards?

msdeb · September 11th, 2007, 02:50 PM

that ridiculous Sherri Shephard on the View has already said she was upset by Kathy's speech. <eyeroll>

VenusInFauxFurs · September 11th, 2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonx

I'm not quite sure if that's hate speech, but without a doubt, the "suck it" part was extremely offensive and crude. And her being a comedienne doesn't allow her to say anything she wants without potential repercussions. Remember Michael Richards?

She said suck it, Jesus..not suck it Christians, I know y'all would like to think you guys are one and the same, but you aren't..

tkdgirl · September 11th, 2007, 03:01 PM

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Originally Posted by VenusInFauxFurs

She said suck it, Jesus..not suck it Christians, I know y'all would like to think you guys are one and the same, but you aren't..

But don't you think if she had said 'suck it Allah', Muslems would be pissed? This country is entirely too PC, IMHO simply because everyone gets offended at everything. People need to grow some thicker skin.

And that comes from a Christian.

LynnieD · September 11th, 2007, 03:03 PM

^^Agreed, the political correctness has gone way too overboard.

VenusInFauxFurs · September 11th, 2007, 03:06 PM

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Originally Posted by tkdgirl

But don't you think if she had said 'suck it Allah', Muslems would be pissed? This country is entirely too PC, IMHO simply because everyone gets offended at everything. People need to grow some thicker skin.

And that comes from a Christian.

Exactly!! Just because people get offended, doesn't mean it's hate speech. There is an actual difference.