"Blazing Saddles" - has anyone else noticed?

[KROG-TV]

I'm a child of the 70's. I remember watching "Blazing Saddles" on television, and how it was always presented...the dirty, double-entendre stuff was always, ALWAYS, edited out, while the satirical use of the "N" word was left in.

The last couple times I've caught parts of it, the most recent being yesterday, I couldn't help but notice that the censors have gone completely opposite with regards to how they edit this movie for broadcast and non-premium cable. All of the lines that have the "N" word, INCLUDING the one where the word is only suggested ("can't you see that man is a ni...?") are left only with these silent holes where the word (or syllable) used to be. As I recall from a previous viewing, Slim Pickens line about "...not dance around like a bunch of Kansas City f##gots" was also excised, silencing in this case the offending "f" word.

Yet, the scene where the governor refers to his secretary as a "wild b*tch", the scene where Harvey Korman tells the governor to "think of your secretary" when he's having trouble getting his pen back into it's holder, and a town meeting where one Johnson tells another "blow it out your a$$." There are many others that just don't come to mind at the moment. I know, these are very tame things, and you likely think of me as a prude. Not the case...I'm simply wondering aloud when all the dirty, funny, double-meaning stuff became ok to leave in for anyone to see, but ANYTHING that even SUGGESTS a word that is considered offensive is now left completely out.
Are we really that sensitive? If so, why aren't we sensitive to EVERYONE? Some people would be offended by the things NOT edited out of the movie, just as some would be offended by the words that were censored. Who gets to pick and choose who gets offended, and who doesn't?

Just wondering aloud...

[FD2BLK]

Who gets to pick and choose who gets offended, and who doesn't?
...

Excellent question.

[Keyeser]

I too have noticed that trend with that movie. I will say this...this is one movie that can never be remade.

[FD2BLK]

this is one movie that can never be remade.

Sad but true...

[Keyeser]

If they tried to remake it... Mongo might have a "telegram" for them to read. ;)

[HushHush]

I've never seen the movie really ... but can perhaps shed light on how the movies are edited. Before our tiny TV station was purchased by FOX our Promotions editors were in charge of editing the movies to get them ready for tv viewing. They were given guidelines by the Programming Director as to what should and should not be edited out .. but it was mostly at the discretion of each promo editor what they'd bleep .. or cut out.

Also ... doesn't the FCC sort of force stations to edit heavily? Wouldn't you say they are the ones given the power to decide what is offensive?

[Tripe Face]

They did make a TV Pilot from the show... with Louis Gossett Jr. in the Sheriff's role... and you think the "N" was used a lot in the MOVIE?? just watch the pilot (it's on the Special Edition of the Blazing Saddles DVD)

Not only is the pilot offensive... it's really not funny.

So now..."Go do, that voodoo, that you do, so well."


(Shouldn't Hedey Lamar be posting on this thread?)

[Roy Hobbs]

(Shouldn't Hedey Lamar be posting on this thread?)
http://www.jeffturner.net/images/hedely-lamarr.jpg

That's Hedley you televised twit!!

[commercial hack]

I was watching it on CMT a couple of nights ago and I noticed the same thing. The "N-word" was gone but left in many other things that used to be cut out.

[Jane Craig]

I'd post something pithy here, but I'm tiwed.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/250/523492007_ce29beea4a.jpg

[Scarlet Termite]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/250/523492007_ce29beea4a.jpg

I do so miss Madeline Kahn.

[tater]

I do so miss Madeline Kahn.

Pictures and posts of Kahn, Kane, anything rhyming with those two in 3....2....1...

[Mr. Rugen]

Not to dissapoint...
http://services.tos.net/pics/st2/st2-khan.gif

[FD2BLK]

When I came to my current city twenty years ago, one of our local stations was editing "ass" out of their MASH reruns.

[Mr. Rugen]

You should see what local TV does to my favorite movie.

[Tripe Face]

You should see what local TV does to my favorite movie.

There's a TV station that will air Queens of Double Penetration starting Tony Romo and Terrell Owens?

[Mr. Rugen]

There's a TV station that will air Queens of Double Penetration starting Tony Romo and Terrell Owens?
I wish.

Did you watch Hard Knocks last night, Tripe?

[Clever Login Name]

He shoots, he scores!!

[Lazlo Toth]

Personally, I wish they'd stop that kind of S-word and just show the movie the way it was made.

[commercial hack]

There's a TV station that will air Queens of Double Penetration starting Tony Romo and Terrell Owens?

Spitting....coffee....on....keyboard.....must...cl ean..up........fast! http://www.forum.exscn.net/images/smilies/spitcoffee.gif

[Tripe Face]

Did you watch Hard Knocks last night, Tripe?
Nope, I had to be up at 4;30 for work. What is Hard Knocks?

[Mr. Rugen]

Nope, I had to be up at 4;30 for work. What is Hard Knocks?
It's on HBO. I thought you've commented on it before. It's a show that covers an NFL team's training camp in a documentary style. It's over the Cowboys this year and I watched it twice. The second time my shorts were down (for the ice I have to keep on my scrotum).

[tater]

It's on HBO. I thought you've commented on it before. It's a show that covers an NFL team's training camp in a documentary style. It's over the Cowboys this year and I watched it twice. The second time my shorts were down (for the ice I have to keep on my scrotum).

Egad, we get it you had your tubes sniped...each time you talk about it I cringe even more. That's right I have vasectophobia.

[Mr. Rugen]

Egad, we get it you had your tubes sniped...each time you talk about it I cringe even more. That's right I have vasectophobia.
The first snip felt like he had squeezed my testicle in a vice. Just so you know.

[Sultanosurf]

http://www.dvdtown.com/images/displayimage.php?id=2687

"Work work work. Hello boys! Have a good night's rest?"

Didn't we go through this last year? And don't they also edit out the - uh - wind passing through in the campfire scene? Ah, well. Some great B-S trivia: Who were among the original big-name choices to play Bart and the Waco Kid?

"I didn't hear a hah-rumph from that guy..."

[Mr. Rugen]

http://www.dvdtown.com/images/displayimage.php?id=2687
"Work work work. Hello boys! Have a good night's rest?"

Didn't we go through this last year? And don't they also edit out the - uh - wind passing through in the campfire scene? Ah, well. Some great B-S trivia: Who were among the original big-name choices to play Bart and the Waco Kid?

"I didn't hear a hah-rumph from that guy..."
I know Bart was supposed to be Richard Pryor. I didn't know about another Waco Kid.

[tater]

The first snip felt like he had squeezed my testicle in a vice. Just so you know.

Oh I do know since I've had my testicles in a vice....I mean, WHAT?????

[Sultanosurf]

I know Bart was supposed to be Richard Pryor. I didn't know about another Waco Kid.

They actually started shooting with another Waco Kid hanging upside down in the jail, but he had seizures and was hospitalized. So Wilder flew to the rescue. There was also another big name, big voice originally attached to the project for Bart...

[Laughing Angel]

Personally, I wish they'd stop that kind of S-word and just show the movie the way it was made.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I love that film. I really hate when the cut all of the movie out of the movie.

[Focker]

Who gets to pick and choose who gets offended, and who doesn't?

So did we ever find an answer? I was wondering the same, cuz I was watching "Super Troopers" on Comedy Central and they took out "b!tch", censored the 'hole' in a$$hole (but left in a$$), and allowed "d!ck" and "*******".

WTF?

[Tripe Face]

It's on HBO. I thought you've commented on it before. It's a show that covers an NFL team's training camp in a documentary style. It's over the Cowboys this year and I watched it twice. The second time my shorts were down (for the ice I have to keep on my scrotum).

I haven't seen HBO in more than a year.

And please, no more talk about your genital issues... thanks

[Mighty Dyckerson]

I do so miss Madeline Kahn.

She's not dead, you know.

Oh wait, yes she is. My bad.

[Mr. Rugen]

I haven't seen HBO in more than a year.

And please, no more talk about your genital issues... thanks
Okay, but don't you want to know about the swelling?

[Tripe Face]

Okay, but don't you want to know about the swelling?

No I don't want to know about your phallic reaction to Tony Romo in training camp.

[Mr. Rugen]

No I don't want to know about your phallic reaction to Tony Romo in training camp.
Oh. Well, you can always change your mind later.

[kneedinthegroin]

Personally, I wish they'd stop that kind of S-word and just show the movie the way it was made.

Get HDNet movies and MGM HD. It's jsut a couple of bucks a month (less then 5) and they run them all uncut and in HD. Last night was The Jerk. Blazzing Saddles has been on numerous times.

[commercial hack]

The first snip felt like he had squeezed my testicle in a vice. Just so you know.

You really need to change your HMO...or tell your doctor not to use needlenose pliers.

[Mr. Rugen]

You really need to change your HMO...or tell your doctor not to use needlenose pliers.
He's actually a pretty good doctor. He just spends a little too much time monkeying around down there. I just pretend it's Tony Romo.

[Lazlo Toth]

Okay, but don't you want to know about the swelling?

Sitting on that bag of frozen peas? (Or is it pee?)

[Union Label]

I wonder how much luck Mel Brooks would have pitching the script for Blazing Saddles around to the major studios today. I suspect that he probably wouldn't be getting too many nibbles due to pokes it takes at various ethnic and religious groups as well as certain lifestyles. Despite the fact that the movie is over 30 years old now, it still holds up well IMHO. I've seen the movie many times over the years and it just gets better each time. Mel Brooks is a true genius and I can't think of anyone lined up to fill his shoes in the future.

[Tripe Face]

I wonder how much luck Mel Brooks would have pitching the script for Blazing Saddles around to the studios today. I suspect that he probably wouldn't be getting too many nibbles.

If I were a studio boss I'd make it. First person to complain I would say "Get behind every other racial, cultural, religious group that he makes fun of in the movie."

[Union Label]

If I were a studio boss I'd make it. First person to complain I would say "Get behind every other racial, cultural, religious group that he makes fun of in the movie."

I agree with you. The only trouble is, you aren't a studio boss. The overwhelming majority of the folks in Hollywood nowadays are focused on the bottom line rather than taking chances with pi$$ing off certain members of the audience.

Blazing Saddles takes swipes at Mormans, Jews, Blacks, Mexicans, Chinese, Irish, Gays, Hollywood, PETA, Women, Cowboys and Native Americans just to name a few. It is pretty well balanced as an equal opportunity offender.

[Lazlo Toth]

And how about the Producers? Could Brooks get away again with Sprintime for H word? After all, H word was the leader of the other N words.

[Pro]

I've never seen the movie really ... but can perhaps shed light on how the movies are edited. Before our tiny TV station was purchased by FOX our Promotions editors were in charge of editing the movies to get them ready for tv viewing. They were given guidelines by the Programming Director as to what should and should not be edited out .. but it was mostly at the discretion of each promo editor what they'd bleep .. or cut out.

Really? That's very interesting. They places I've been at had a "broadcast TV version" of the movie sent to them. The distributor pre-censored it. But I think the last time the station I worked at ran a local movie was in the early 90's.

[Tripe Face]

I wonder how much luck Mel Brooks would have pitching the script for Blazing Saddles around to the major studios today. I suspect that he probably wouldn't be getting too many nibbles due to pokes it takes at various ethnic and religious groups as well as certain lifestyles. Despite the fact that the movie is over 30 years old now, it still holds up well IMHO. I've seen the movie many times over the years and it just gets better each time. Mel Brooks is a true genius and I can't think of anyone lined up to fill his shoes in the future.

I agree with you. The only trouble is, you aren't a studio boss. The overwhelming majority of the folks in Hollywood nowadays are focused on the bottom line rather than taking chances with pi$$ing off certain members of the audience.

Blazing Saddles takes swipes at Mormans, Jews, Blacks, Mexicans, Chinese, Irish, Gays, Hollywood, PETA, Women, Cowboys and Native Americans just to name a few. It is pretty well balanced as an equal opportunity offender.

And Nazis. He pokes fun at Nazis.

[Clever Login Name]

He's actually a pretty good doctor. He just spends a little too much time monkeying around down there. I just pretend it's Tony Romo.

I'm trying to decide if that's gay or not.

[Pro]

And Nazis. He pokes fun at Nazis.

And don't forget rustlers, cut throats, murderers, bounty hunters, desperados, mugs, pugs, thugs, nitwits, halfwits, dimwits, vipers, snipers, con men, Indian agents, Mexican bandits, muggers, buggerers, bushwhackers, hornswogglers, horse thieves, bull dykes, train robbers, bank robbers, ass-kickers, sh*t-kickers and Methodists. ;)

[Produce man]

There's a TV station that will air Queens of Double Penetration starting Tony Romo and Terrell Owens?Gotta love jealousy...

[Cobra Commander]

I've noticed on the TV versions that a certain sound effect is removed from this famous scene.

http://www.fart-sounds.net/Fart_Scene_Blazing_Saddles.jpg

I mean, WTF?!?!? :frustrated:

[Sultanosurf]

Ditto

[Roy Hobbs]

"Want some beans, Mr. Taggert?"
http://toddzilla.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/slim_pickens.jpg
(waving hat) "I'd say you boys have had enough!

[Tripe Face]

I've noticed on the TV versions that a certain sound effect is removed from this famous scene.

http://www.fart-sounds.net/Fart_Scene_Blazing_Saddles.jpg

I mean, WTF?!?!? :frustrated:

It doesn't sound like WTF?!?!? it sounds more like pppffffffttttttttpppppfffttt

[Keyeser]

The last few times I saw it on TV...the farting scene was left unedited.

[Tripe Face]

I've noticed on the TV versions that a certain sound effect is removed from this famous scene.

http://www.fart-sounds.net/Fart_Scene_Blazing_Saddles.jpg

I mean, WTF?!?!? :frustrated:

The last few times I saw it on TV...the farting scene was left unedited.

Who are they protecting by editing it? Do you ever WATCH kids tv these days... its FULL of fart jokes.

[KROG-TV]

The last few times I saw it on TV...the farting scene was left unedited.

This is exactly the point I was trying to make with the original post! The fart scene airs now, whereas a few years ago, they covered up the fart noises with the horses neighing. Farting was taboo, but using the N word wasn't. Now, we just get a movie with a bunch of silent pauses in it. It's ridiculous!

That's it...I'm throwing the DVD on my ipod and watching it while I mark rundowns in the morning!