Something very odd happened on last night's Joe Schmo Show. I'm not talking about Hutch being ejected for breaking the rules, or Molly's boyfriend coming to visit. I'm talking about an inexplicable case of censorship.
During the honey challenge, the cast stripped to their bathing suits, doused each other in honey, and groped all over each others' bodies. Later in the show, players had to lick chocolate off the bodies of topless models who were doused with it. The network (Spike, the Network for Men) had no problem showing the models' ample chocolate-dipped breasts. But for some bizarre reason, they refused to show Brian's bare nipples! There was no issue with the same features of Matt or Hutch's bodies-- just Brian's. Whenever he was shown during the honey challenge, his nipples were pixelated. What the heck is up with that? Are they pierced? And if so, so what? "Blur out Brian's nipples-- we don't want to offend anyone. Camera 2, zoom in tight on that model's breasts. I want to see that chocolate glisten."
Posted by Peter at October 1, 2003 11:46 AMCould have been copyright. Maybe he's got a logo tattooed on his chest? Maybe he has a nipple ring with a visible logo on it? That seems to be the most common reason for pixelization these days. That's why the background extras in videos often seems to be wearing fuzzed-out shirts - the record company doesn't want to have to pay some random company for the use of their logo.
Posted by: Don Munsil on October 1, 2003 4:41 PMYeah, the fuzzed out man boobs was one of the highlights of the night. I assume they did it to be funny. It went along with the romantic music as Hutch & Brian rubbed each other down. AND, the bee suit/gay porn comment by Ralph was priceless.
Posted by: Jake on October 1, 2003 6:22 PMHey, I just found an mp3 of a radio interview with "Brian the buddy." It's a pretty funny interview, and you get some behind the scenes info such as the inspiration of "the swollen knuckle."
Posted by: Jake on October 1, 2003 7:36 PMI just found part 2 of the interview (from this morning after ep. 5 aired). Hear the real reason for fuzzed man boobs from the horse's mouth!! Warning, this one DOES have hints about next episode's happenings, but nothing a discerning eye wouldn't have caught in the "next week preview."
Posted by: Jake (last time I promise!) on October 1, 2003 7:55 PMAh, so it was just a gag. OK, that's funny in a humor-is-ruined-when-you-have-to-explain-it kinda way.
Posted by: Peter Sarrett on October 1, 2003 9:05 PM