Smoking ban for 'Tom and Jerry' in Britain
 

Smoking scenes in "Tom and Jerry" cartoons are now banned in Britain, following a viewer's complaint to the government agency that polices the airwaves.

In one episode of the classic US cartoon series, Tom is seen smoking a roll-up cigarette in a bid to impress a female cat. In another, Tom's opponent in a tennis match was seen smoking a large cigar.

Following an investigation prompted by the anonymous viewer's complaint, regulator Ofcom said Monday that children's TV channel Boomerang has agreed to edit out scenes deemed to glamorise or condone smoking.

"We note that, in 'Tom and Jerry', smoking usually appears in a stylised manner and is frequently not condoned," said Ofcom, recalling how the cartoons were made in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s when smoking was not so controversial.

"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."

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21082006/32...y-britain.html

:confused:

I'm a big fan of Gene Zion & Margaret Bloy Graham's children's books (Harry The Dirty Dog etc.), but there are only a few available in the UK. I've bought some original copies from the US and because they were written in the 1950's, they do sometimes have people smoking (usually a Dad smoking a pipe).

When reading them to my daughter I leave out any references to smoking.

It's always the same conservative people that watch tv and have nothing better to do, than to call up broadcasters and complain about nipples, cigs, swearing, gay kissing, violence... etc.
Why don't they just switch of their goddamn tv's and get a life! They complain about how bad tabacco is, but they're the ones using big fat cars that run on 4km per litre, to go get a loaf of bread at the baker down the road.
Like that's not a crime! Cunts!

political correctness gone mad

I suspect it's not the same people who complain about gay kissing and violence, who complain about smoking on TV. I think the reasons for disapproving for each differ quite a lot and I don't think people who are anti-smoking are so for "conservative" reasons.

It's generally not conservatives (in the English sense of the word) who want things banned, because we are more liberatrian. It's the nannystate interfering reds, who think liberty and personal responsibility shouldn't exist.

Isn't it just one channel that's banning it? Boomerang?

edit: the initial complaint was about Boomerang. It seems to be an overall ban.

I actually remember that scene in "texas tom" from when i was a kid that is reported to have caused all the hubbub. Surely power rangers and all that stuff glamourises violence by the same standard. I remember pretending to fight like the teenage mutant hero/ninja turtles when i was a kid, i never remember pretending to smoke

this is how stalinism survives today

I've never cared for Tom & Jerry or too many of the MGM cartoons.

Those politically correct-minded folks would have a field day with the old Warner Bros. cartoons.

What about the Fleischer Bros Popeye? Popeye has got his pipe, Bluto (Brutus), his cigar. Wimpy had a cigar too. I think there's an episode where Sweet Pea gets a cigar going.

That's just fucking stupid. This is what happens when people lose all of their discretionary ability.

Supposedly Foghorn Leghorn cartoons have been banned simply becuz he's a Southerner who says "boy".

(alarm sound) Uh oh, possible reference to racism!

Utter bullshit.

classic! complete stupidity! please ban barney for its obvious conontations!

is jim davidson programmes banned for his chalky character?
not complaining, worst comedian ever