A Historical Perspective on Censorship on The Tonight Show
A Historical Perspective on Censorship on The Tonight Show
When was the last time a US TV comedian faced real censorship? The Tonight Show, a program that has been around for over 60 years, has seen its fair share of controversial moments and edits. However, one interesting case from 1960 stands out for its unique circumstances. This article explores the history of censorship on The Tonight Show and delves into one of the show's most notable instances of it.
The Background of The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is one of the longest-running television programs in history, originally hosted by Johnny Carson, followed by Jay Leno, Jimmy Fallon, and current host Jimmy Kimmel. Each host brought their unique style, and the show's content often mirrored societal norms and taboos of its time.
A Singular Case of Censorship
On April 10, 1960, Jack Paar, the third host of The Tonight Show, faced a rare instance of censorship. Unlike the usual editing where segments are cut for time, this instance was different. Jack Paar, a comedian known for his sharp wit, told a joke that did not sit well with the network executives for its inappropriate content.
The Controversial Joke
The joke revolved around a British woman visiting Switzerland and asking about a room. However, the punchline made a reference to a#8217;W.C.,' which, in British slang, refers to the bathroom. The punchline was unexpected and not family-friendly, making it the only true case of censorship in the show's early history.
The joke went as follows:
"An English lady while visiting Switzerland was looking for a room for a more extended stay and she asked the schoolmaster if he could recommend any to her. He took her to see several rooms and when everything was settled the lady returned to her home to make the final preparations to move. When she arrived home the thought suddenly occurred to her that she had not seen a W.C. around the place. So she immediately wrote a note to the schoolmaster asking him if there was a W.C. near the room. The schoolmaster was a very poor student of English so he asked the parish priest if he could help in the matter. Together they tried to discover the meaning of the letters W.C. and the only solution they could come up with for the letters was for a Wayside Chapel. The schoolmaster then wrote the following note to the English lady:
Dear Madame, It is my pleasure to inform you that there is a W.C. just nine miles from your new home in the center...
This joke was so risqué that it was pulled out entirely, leading to the first instance of censorship in the show's history. The network likely feared the backlash if the joke aired during a family viewing audience.
Other Examples of Censorship
While the above case was the only time the network took drastic action, other instances of censorship did occur, albeit to a lesser extent. For example, animal segments, such as segments involving monkeys, were often heavily edited to remove any potentially controversial or uncomfortable content.
These edits were not made by the directors or editors independently but were requested directly by the network executives who wanted to ensure that the show remained family-friendly and aligned with the network’s values.
Impact on the Show
These instances of censorship illustrate the delicate balance that TV shows must maintain between being entertaining and family-friendly. The Tonight Show's censorship history shows that even comedic genius can face restrictions, depending on the cultural and societal norms of the era.
Despite these instances, the show continued to thrive, evolving to keep up with changing times.
Conclusion
While the Tonight Show has faced instances of censorship in its long history, the 1960 case involving Jack Paar stands out as a unique, singular instance. This article has explored the history of censorship and highlighted the only instance where a joke was pulled from the air, showcasing the show's adaptability and the shifting landscape of humor and acceptable content over the years.