I was just perusing the television listings, and I noticed that tonight on the ABC Family Channel, they're airing Blazing Saddles.
Now, I love that movie, but I don't think it qualifies as "family" entertainment. Unless your family is the Bundys.
I'm half-tempted to watch it, though. I'm curious to see how they deal with a few key essential portions of the story.
1) The repeated dropping of "the n-word." Especially when Sheriff Bart arrives, and is greeted with "As chairman of the welcoming committee, it's a pleasure to present a Laurel, and Hardy handshake to our new nigger."
B) The campfire scene. 'Nuff said.
III) The whole character of Lili Von Schtupp, from her song, to her "Oh. It's twue! It's twue!" moment.
Nah, I think I'll skip it. I'm still disgusted with how AMC gutted "The Blues Brothers" to make it "suitable" for airing. Besides, looks like there's a new Mythbusters on tonight.
And they wonder why DVDs are getting more and more popular...
J.
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Comments (37)
Farting? DEAR GOD NO! SOME... (Below threshold)1. Posted by George | April 6, 2005 7:01 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Farting? DEAR GOD NO! SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!
*scream*
1. Posted by George | April 6, 2005 7:01 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 6, 2005 19:01
2. Posted by John S. | April 6, 2005 7:06 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I've seen it, and it's not pretty. The "N" word gets blanked. It's like watching rap on MTV. The campfire scene get changed to a burpfest, which ultimately makes no sense.
2. Posted by John S. | April 6, 2005 7:06 PM |
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Posted on April 6, 2005 19:06
3. Posted by Just Me | April 6, 2005 7:08 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Even an old mythbusters sounds more interesting.
3. Posted by Just Me | April 6, 2005 7:08 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 6, 2005 19:08
4. Posted by pete the elder | April 6, 2005 7:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The family channel has changed ownership and now shows some other PG-13 and R rated movies that are not appropriate for young children like Austin Powers (along with the 700 Club).
4. Posted by pete the elder | April 6, 2005 7:44 PM |
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Posted on April 6, 2005 19:44
5. Posted by Red | April 6, 2005 7:45 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
What's on the Family Channel tomorrow night, Animal House?
5. Posted by Red | April 6, 2005 7:45 PM |
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Posted on April 6, 2005 19:45
6. Posted by Raina | April 6, 2005 8:02 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Mythbusters is better than Blazing Saddles any day, plus tonight they're talking about equipment.
6. Posted by Raina | April 6, 2005 8:02 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 6, 2005 20:02
7. Posted by JD | April 6, 2005 8:05 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
There was a "TV" version of the movie cut, with some additional scenes with Bart and Mongo, and additional scenes with Gabby Johnson, but a lot of the Lili scenes were severely edited, and most of the scenes with the Minister are also gone.
But "Blazing Saddles" without the N-bomb is like watching "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" or "Midnight Run" without the foul language. It just doesn't compute.
7. Posted by JD | April 6, 2005 8:05 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 6, 2005 20:05
8. Posted by caltechgirl | April 6, 2005 8:33 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
This is the TV version. Sucks except that it contains my favorite scene.... When Bart and the KId run away from Hedley in the KKK robes and meet up with the baptists. It's not in the theatrical cut.
8. Posted by caltechgirl | April 6, 2005 8:33 PM |
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Posted on April 6, 2005 20:33
9. Posted by TigerHawk | April 6, 2005 8:38 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The movie is actually pretty tame by today's standards. I bought it on DVD a while back, and after a screening concluded that it was within the acceptable range for my 14 year old son. It is perhaps a credit to the progress that we have made that he did not really get the joke when Slim Pickins rescues the manual railcar from the quicksand and leaves Clevon Little to sink. He is otherwise a very perceptive kid!
9. Posted by TigerHawk | April 6, 2005 8:38 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 6, 2005 20:38
10. Posted by Kevin P. Craver | April 6, 2005 8:54 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
If producers have to eliminate key content of a movie to make it "family-friendly," it shouldn't be aired.
Blazing Saddles was a masterpiece with an underlying message that everyone is equal -- the constant dropping of "nigger" is the way Mel Brooks deals with it.
And as for farting, anyone older than two can handle a fart joke. Ask any toddler -- poop is funny. Adults who have a problem with such a tame scene are likely uncomfortable because they are at the age where a little flatulence can lead to so much more.
Now if you think Lili's scene where she says "it's twue, it's twue!" is bad now, Brooks cut a line from the script in which Cleavon Little responded, "You're sucking on my arm."
10. Posted by Kevin P. Craver | April 6, 2005 8:54 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 6, 2005 20:54
11. Posted by Henry | April 6, 2005 9:14 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
actually in the versions i've seen, the campire scene is NOT a burpfest.
I've seen 2 versions
1: The campfire scene is rendered completely silent
2: The campire scene has horses neighing and whinneying sounds.
both make completely NO sense at all, 'cause then when the governor's sidekick (forgot his name, its the outlaw band's leader), waves his hat around, it looks like he's clearing the smoke instead of clearing the smell.
11. Posted by Henry | April 6, 2005 9:14 PM |
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Posted on April 6, 2005 21:14
12. Posted by Bucky Katt | April 6, 2005 9:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"Mythbusters" rocks. Loved it when they blew up the cement truck. :-)
12. Posted by Bucky Katt | April 6, 2005 9:15 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 6, 2005 21:15
13. Posted by Maggie | April 6, 2005 9:19 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Quick, someone call PETA....it's been a while but as I remember it a poor Longhorn took one right on the snout!
Ya'll can't be beating up a sacred cows!
13. Posted by Maggie | April 6, 2005 9:19 PM |
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Posted on April 6, 2005 21:19
14. Posted by julie | April 6, 2005 9:31 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Kids would find the campfire scene and the horse getting coldcocked *extremely* funny.
As far as Blues Brothers, I have never seen a more 'coked-out movie' Except for the Last Waltz - but that was a documentary.
14. Posted by julie | April 6, 2005 9:31 PM |
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Posted on April 6, 2005 21:31
15. Posted by OregonMuse | April 6, 2005 9:50 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
skybird:
That big guy's name is Mongo.
I like it when he first shows up. Some guy exclaims in terror "Mongo!" and next a Spanish dude mutters to himself "Santa Maria!" Kids today wouldn't know that Mongo (or Mondo, I forget which) Santa Maria was the name of some one-hit wonder band back in the early 70s. Forget the name of their one hit, though...
15. Posted by OregonMuse | April 6, 2005 9:50 PM |
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Posted on April 6, 2005 21:50
16. Posted by jmaster | April 6, 2005 10:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I'm betting that they won't say Anal Johnson's name...
Actually, I have seen both edited versions too.
Its kinda like a Quarter Pounder without cheese.
There's a reason McDonald's doesn't sell them any more.
16. Posted by jmaster | April 6, 2005 10:00 PM |
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Posted on April 6, 2005 22:00
17. Posted by Ridolph | April 6, 2005 10:10 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Yeah, it's one of the few films from the 70's that still aren't tame enough by modern standards to work on the family channel. Why did they bother?
17. Posted by Ridolph | April 6, 2005 10:10 PM |
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Posted on April 6, 2005 22:10
18. Posted by VARepublicMan | April 6, 2005 10:24 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
New Mythbusters! Ahhh, manna from heaven.
18. Posted by VARepublicMan | April 6, 2005 10:24 PM |
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Posted on April 6, 2005 22:24
19. Posted by jmaster | April 6, 2005 10:32 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Mythbusters? What's that?
(Just trying to act like I don't know, so I might seem less of a nerd)
19. Posted by jmaster | April 6, 2005 10:32 PM |
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Posted on April 6, 2005 22:32
20. Posted by Mongo | April 6, 2005 11:23 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Don't know. Mongo just a pawn in great game of life.
20. Posted by Mongo | April 6, 2005 11:23 PM |
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Posted on April 6, 2005 23:23
21. Posted by Spoons | April 7, 2005 1:03 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Not sure I ever got that "Laurel and Hardy" think until seeing it in writing, and misspelled.
Harrumph.
21. Posted by Spoons | April 7, 2005 1:03 AM |
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Posted on April 7, 2005 01:03
22. Posted by McCain | April 7, 2005 2:31 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Can someone take the "anti-farting" position and explain why the fuss?
22. Posted by McCain | April 7, 2005 2:31 AM |
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Posted on April 7, 2005 02:31
23. Posted by Rod Stanton | April 7, 2005 5:39 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Like most of his movies it is good. But it is not for kids. Seen it many times the last 30 years and LOL every time even though I know what is coming.
Now Spaceballs may bo OK for kids. Lot of inside MOT humor that goys may not get.
23. Posted by Rod Stanton | April 7, 2005 5:39 AM |
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Posted on April 7, 2005 05:39
24. Posted by CrzyDJM | April 7, 2005 5:39 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Yeah, how in the **#$@#@ could you put Blazing Saddles on broadcast tv?????
All the "good" parts that make it so damn funny would HAVE to be cut out...
24. Posted by CrzyDJM | April 7, 2005 5:39 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2005 05:39
25. Posted by Cybrludite | April 7, 2005 6:30 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Next up on the Family Channel: The Rocky Horror Picture Show... with authentic theater crowd responses added in!
25. Posted by Cybrludite | April 7, 2005 6:30 AM |
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Posted on April 7, 2005 06:30
26. Posted by Jeff | April 7, 2005 8:43 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Jay, this is a great topic.
I love Mel Brooks. I have always been a fan of Blazing Saddles. I remember one of the first times they broadcast it on TV. They cutout all the farts and n-bombs. I was disappointed. It was one of the first movies I bought on VHS when it was released.
But since Blazing Saddles was first released on broadcast TV 25 years ago, it has been on cable TV numerous times. It has even been on the Comedy Network recently. TV standards have changed quite a bit in 25 years, but they seem to still show the same old TV edited version. Even though they show it on the Comedy Network that shows SouthPark's Longer and Uncut movie with it's numerous f-bombs.
I just do not get it. When can we see unedited versions of Blazing Saddles, Animal House and etc on cable TV?. Is it really to much to ask since I pay for cable channels?
26. Posted by Jeff | April 7, 2005 8:43 AM |
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Posted on April 7, 2005 08:43
27. Posted by Rick13 | April 7, 2005 9:01 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I pay you people to Blog, not to dance around like a bunch of Kansas City Faggots!
27. Posted by Rick13 | April 7, 2005 9:01 AM |
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Posted on April 7, 2005 09:01
28. Posted by Doug Stewart | April 7, 2005 9:18 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Rick13:
You forgot to precede your comment with "What in the Wide Wide World a' Sports is a-goin' on here?"
I believe the recently-released 30th anniversary edition actually has the theatrical cut as well as the scenes that have only ever been shown in the TV edit, such as the additional "Warner Brothers" Mongo scenes and the "Governor! These people are dummies!" "I know that, you idiot! How do you think I got elected?" fake Rock Ridge scene.
It's a shame that all the extra content has never been available until now.
28. Posted by Doug Stewart | April 7, 2005 9:18 AM |
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Posted on April 7, 2005 09:18
29. Posted by DavidB | April 7, 2005 10:16 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
AMC, used to be. Great, classic, old movies.
Now, commercials, "new" classics, and very few good old movies.
Not really American Movie Classics anymore.
29. Posted by DavidB | April 7, 2005 10:16 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2005 10:16
30. Posted by Neal | April 7, 2005 10:20 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hey, funny is funny. BS is perhaps the funniest movie ever made. It's brilliance is not totally lost by being hacked-up for TV standards. I agree that it's different, but that doesn't render it bad.
Now, somebody better go back and get a shit-load of dimes!
30. Posted by Neal | April 7, 2005 10:20 AM |
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Posted on April 7, 2005 10:20
31. Posted by Captain Ned | April 7, 2005 10:25 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
What really doesn't make sense re: the campfire farting scene is the fake PSA on Nickelodeon that's all about farting. If Nick can show that "PSA" to kids all day long, why can't we see the campfire farting scene?
31. Posted by Captain Ned | April 7, 2005 10:25 AM |
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Posted on April 7, 2005 10:25
32. Posted by Vie | April 7, 2005 10:29 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
ABC Family has a very weird concept of what "family" values are. Last year they showed that awful Jennifer Aniston movie "The Object of My Affection", where Jen dumps her boyfriend after getting pregnant with him, then seduces her gay best friend, the gay friend finds a boyfriend who then dumps his older sugar daddy, and Jen ends up shacking up with a black policeman and the baby ends up having three "daddies" - the boyfriend, the gay guy and the policeman.
I personally make no moral judgments about any of that, but there is a topic in there to offend almost everyone, and certainly a lot of issues that parents would like to take on with their kids themselves rather than seeing them protrayed onscreen as normal "family" life.
ABC Family does that a lot - the COMMERCIAL for their new reality show about a Vegas wedding chapel talks about a couple "grinding away" right there in the aisle - more wholesome family entertainment! They also had on a made-for-TV movie awhile back that was about a couple who already lived together planning their wedding.
I think parents bear the responsibility of what their children watch on TV, but if ABC Family is going to put themselves up as a "family friendly" channel they should steer clear of things like the above that could easily offend a lot of parents. I bet a lot of parents hear "Family" in the name and think they can just just let their kids watch it without any supervision, and would be really surprised at what is actually on.
BTW, I love Blazing Saddles and I watched it with my older son with some discussions about the racy parts. (yes, he thought the fart scene was the funniest thing EVER). That's the way to handle it - decide when your kids are ready to watch it and discuss any touchy issues with them, not to chop it up and make it "family-friendly". What a joke.
32. Posted by Vie | April 7, 2005 10:29 AM |
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Posted on April 7, 2005 10:29
33. Posted by McGehee | April 7, 2005 12:28 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
How are Adam and Jamie ever going to top blowing up that cement truck?
33. Posted by McGehee | April 7, 2005 12:28 PM |
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Posted on April 7, 2005 12:28
34. Posted by Steve L. | April 7, 2005 12:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"Mythbusters" rocks. Loved it when they blew up the cement truck. :-)
The cement truck was the best explosion they have ever pulled off. My wife still doesn't get why guys like seeing things destroyed.
34. Posted by Steve L. | April 7, 2005 12:36 PM |
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Posted on April 7, 2005 12:36
35. Posted by D | April 7, 2005 1:33 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
FWIW, here's Mongo Santamaria in a nutshell.
35. Posted by D | April 7, 2005 1:33 PM |
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Posted on April 7, 2005 13:33
36. Posted by JD | April 7, 2005 8:14 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
But just think what would happen if Mel Brooks went to Warner Brothers with the "Blazing Saddles" script in today's cultural era. The film has been described as "playing 1874 in 1974," but in 2004 the actors, producers and distributors would probably be lined up and shot by the PC Police.
Maybe they could replace all the N-bombs with Schvartzes!
36. Posted by JD | April 7, 2005 8:14 PM |
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Posted on April 7, 2005 20:14
37. Posted by Cybrludite | April 7, 2005 9:09 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
JD,
Forget Blazing Saddles... Could you imagine them trying to make "Heathers" nowadays?
37. Posted by Cybrludite | April 7, 2005 9:09 PM |
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Posted on April 7, 2005 21:09