BBC - Christmas song edit - PC madness?

[mike@miscon.net]

There’s an interesting debate going on
today at the Beeb…

 



 

Apparently, BBC’s Radio 1 program has cut
out the word "faggot" from the song "Fairytale of New
York," by the Irish band The Pogues and singer Kirsty MacColl.

 



 

In the track, released 20 years ago, MacColl
sings "You scumbag, you maggot… You cheap lousy
faggot…" as her character in the song argues with a character
counter-sung by Shane MacGowan.

 



 

The song is a perennial Christmastime favorite
in  – and arguably even here in the  on rock stations.

 


At least 90% of its listeners are
criticizing the BBC for editing the song (according to its own online
data, while one BBC online news editor claims the figure is
“virtually 100%”), saying, “it's PC madness gone
wrong.”

 



 

BBC 1, however, is standing by its decision to
edit the song.

 



 

What say you, esteemed members of this list?

 



 

Play it – unedited, edited, or simply
don’t play it at all?

Has it even been a concern
here?

Mike