[article] Tommy Tiernan Compliants Upheld by BCC

mike65

from indo

Tiernan Late Late 'outrage' infringed taste and decency, says watchdog


THE Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCC) has ruled that a controversial appearance by comedian Tommy Tiernan on the Late Late Show last year went "beyond acceptable standards".

The BCC upheld eight complaints by members of the public about a broadcast of October 22, 2004 in which the comedian swore and mocked the Catholic Church.

In a report on the 57 most recent complaints, 16 about a range of broadcasts were upheld.

Tiernan's appearance led to a barrage of complaints. In the space of three weeks, RTE had received more than 450. A total of 446 outraged viewers phoned while 16 sent e-mails.

The Commission yesterday ruled that it had upheld eight complaints relating to the Late Late broadcast on impartiality and taste and decency grounds.

One complainant stressed that he wished to make known his "disgust and anger at the appalling and outrageous attack on Catholic priests by Mr Tiernan" while another said he found the comedian's performance more offensive than any programme he had ever seen on television.

A further complainant objected to Pat Kenny "allowing Mr Tiernan to continue to use rude and vulgar language in his references to the clergy and the church".

The same viewer was also appalled that Late Late show presenter had concluded the interview by complimenting the comedian saying words to the effect that the comedian was "always a tonic".

The BCC found the broadcast infringed the sections of the Broadcasting Act dealing with impartiality, taste and decency.

"While accepting that humour and satire can be irreverent and that freedom of speech is of paramount importance, the tone and manner of this section of the programme went beyond acceptable standards," the BCC board ruled.

"Firstly, the repetitive and gratuitous use of bad language was unacceptable. Secondly, the language used to describe a particular group of people was crass - for example, in relation to priests they 'are mainly white and mainly s--te'. Furthermore, this language and the descriptions used denigrated and attacked unfairly a section of the community," the BCC stated.

"The host, Mr Pat Kenny, did not attempt at any stage to challenge the statements made by Mr Tommy Tiernan, nor did he attempt to curb his use of strong language. On this basis, the Commission was of the view that the presentation and content of this interview was unfair and was likely to cause widespread offence," the BCC said in its decision to uphold the complaints.

Mike.

Mossy Monk

some people ned to get out more

Elmo

What happens when you up hold a complaint?

Does RTE receive a fine?

God we're getting worse then the FCC in america.

DMC

Normally the news that the complaint has been upheld is read out before or during the show concerned by the on-duty continuity announcer.

Telefís

Yes - this usually happens. About a year ago an announcement on the part of RTE was read out before the Late Late. And some time before that for another 'event' a full on-screen text graphic was put up before the Late Late correcting/apologising for the matter.

But this arcticle was published last Saturday so RTE most certainly had the ruling on Friday if not before then. But no statement of any kind was read out on Friday before the last Late Late... I shall be awatching tonight...

By the way I find the ruling regarding bad language farcical in the extreme - it's 2005 for crying out loud, not 1955. And this was broadcast well after the watershed - if such language was in the Sopranos or anthing else there wouldn't have been a peep from anyone - it is ridiculous.
The ruling regarding 'attacks' on the Catholic Church I'd kinda agree with.

Mossy Monk

i dont remember RTÉ getting complaints when they broadcast Beverly Hills Cop unedited before 9pm a few years ago

alleepally

I think the material Tiernan used on the LLS (and considering the demographic of who watches the programme) was ill advised.

I think the use of bad language in a light entertainment show is inappropriate regardless of whether it is 2005 or 1995. I actually cringed at the amount of bad language used (and I use a lot myself) - it WAS crass and it WAS offensive in the context of how and where it was used. This is why there were so many complaints. Comparisons with a drama programme like the Sopranos isn't valid in this case.

I thought RTE's response was interesting in that they went out of their way to say that they felt the references to priests didn't breach broadcasting codes whereas the BCC did. One wonders if RTE would have taken a different view had, say, rabbi's been targeted.... Just a thought. BCC view below.

"Firstly, the repetitive and gratuitous use of bad language was unacceptable. Secondly, the language used to describe a particular group of people was crass (for example, in relation to priests, they 'are mainly white and mainly ****e'). Furthermore, this language and the descriptions used denigrated and attacked unfairly a section of the community. Such reference to, and treatment of, any section of the community is unacceptable"

kermitdfrog

I fond not only the fact that people found TT offensive but that the BCC agreed quite farcical.

I remember watching that show, and thought none of it was offensive, actually quite hilarious. The language I can see being an issue, but it was after the watershed.

I don't see how calling most priests '****e' is offensive - is he not entitled to this opinion?

In fact, when watching it the only part I expected to be complained about were his impressions of African and Australian priests. His accents were stereotypically of thos countries. Again, I thought it hilarious, and not insulting. But I expected uproar from the PC brigade.

Telefís

As far as I remember he went a lot further than just describing priests as such - I don't think it is acceptable for such repeated abuse to be levelled at any person or group.

As for the bad language it's borderline I think - I'd accept the point about it being a mainstream light entertainment prog, but at the same time most people know Tommy Teirnan, they know what to expect from him. It's the Late Late, it's live, it's comparitively unpredicatable, it's after 9.00, indeed after 9.35 - if you don't want to be offended don't watch it, or don't watch that segment. I usually hate that 'don't watch it then' arguement but I think it holds up here - I mean what do people expect?

Although yes if Pat was seen to at least attempt to shut TT up a bit that would've gone a long way.

flogen

I agree with alleepalley that such bad language on a light entertainment show is a bad thing, at the same time the people to booked Tiernan should have guessed he was going to use bad language, and even if they didn't Pat Kenny should have had the balls to challenge him when he did get "out of hand".
As for having a go at the church, it's an easy target and one Tiernan has always poked at, his other controversy on The Late Late Show is a testiment to that, I'd say he returned with the sole intention of winding up a few grannies

flogen

kermitdfrog

I'd be interested to know what you refer to RTE. Not being arhgumentative, but I did watch the segment and don't recall anything being that insulting or controversial, hence my suprise at the complaints. Perhaps someone could fill me in?

Telefís

I wouldn't describe anything he said as being 'controversial' either, but as I recall he did continuously make insulting remarks, albethey wrapped up as jokes, at the expense of priests that I remember as finding unfair and inappropriate.

You'd have to ask though, if such a sequence appeared on Ed Byrne's Just for Laughs or similar prog - would the BCC have acted on any complaints made? Obviously it's a different context, but taking into account that they deemed the comments denigrate and unfair, would they suddenly convert to 'satirical' on another prog? One suspects so...

Telefís

Well an extensive acknowledgment of the upheld complaint was broadcast before the Late Late on Friday - no text, just a BCC graphic and a recording of the acknowledgement by a continuity announcer.
No apology was made though by RTE...
(The Tubridy complaint about the skinned cat is also running this week on radio)