CELIBATE IN THE CITY

Advertising Age reports that TBS Superstation (part of the Turner Broadcasting empire) will be showing an edited version of “Sex in the City” without nudity and bad language but with extra scenes in order to make it more attractive to advertisers. In fact, the producers of the programme shot a number of parallel fully clothes scenes for syndication purposes when they were filming the original episodes.

In a strong candidate for the IPKat’s comment of the week, David Levy, president of entertainment sales and marketing at Turner Broadcasting enthused:

"This is virgin territory…for advertisers. This show has never had any commercial attachments to it until now."

While the IPKat is not a fan of gratuitous nudity or bad language, he is disturbed by the idea of expression being suppressed in order to avoid “tarnishing” the trade marks of advertisers. This reminds him of Naomi Klein’s observations in No Logo about the effect that Wal-Mart and Blockbusters can have on free expression by refusing to carry publications or films that conflict with their “wholesome” family values.

He recalls fondly his debate with Marty Schwimmer of the Trademark Blog over ABSOLUT vodka’s ABSOLUT HUNK campaign, where the vodka manufacturer was very keen to associate itself with “Sex in the City.” At the end of the day, different brands espouse different values – some will be enhanced by the nudity and other goings on in the programme, while others will find the programme in conflict with their image. The IPKat questions whether the latter group of advertisers will be willing to advertise in a “cleaned up” version of “Sex in the City.” After all, as the title suggests, this is a programme with a very specific and controversial attitude.

No sex in the city? Click here and here
No swearing in the city? Click here
Things to do with your clothes on here


CELIBATE IN THE CITY <strong>CELIBATE IN THE CITY</strong> Reviewed by Anonymous on Friday, October 03, 2003 Rating: 5

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