Can you say that on T.V.? How about on the Internet?
It's the chorus to Andy Samberg's most recent mock music video, which aired last week on Saturday Night Live, and has been all over the Internet ever since.
Samberg, the comic mind behind the SNL skit "Lazy Sunday" (better known as "The Chronic-What?-cles of Narnia"), infused the late night show with a burst of energy when he joined the cast in September of 2005 and started making mock music videos.
His latest is a holiday jingle called "A Special Christmas Box", in which he and pop star, Justin Timberlake, sing a song about giving their girlfriends a "dick in a box" for Christmas.
When the three-minute video was originally broadcast, NBC omitted the four-letter word every time the chorus came around. But in the version put on their website (see it here), the network decided to leave the video unedited.
The FCC, of course, has no jurisdiction over what NBC puts on the Internet. Still, the decision marks the first time a major network has done something like this.
Do you see this as a creative way for NBC to maximize viewers and show their content in its purest form, or was this an ill-advised stunt to show off their ability to skirt censorship? After all, they still have a brand image to uphold, and offering instructions (which JT does) on how to make a "Dick in a Box" isn't exactly family-friendly.
Related Stories: | Topics:Work/Life, entertainment, Andy Samberg, NBC Universal Inc., Saturday Night Live, Websites, Science and Technology |
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Recent Comments | 16 Total
December 22, 2006 at 9:03pm by dwlt
I think it's a creative stunt which is getting them a lot of attention, and it's in line with what you might expect from the SNL brand.
December 22, 2006 at 11:33pm by Matt
This is video is really intersting marketing and crossover from old media to new media.
And, um, it's really (really) funny too. And, there are plenty of "hey, this is adult" warnings.
December 23, 2006 at 11:21am by Steve
NBC seems to be the only "old-media" corp. that is "getting the internet". Good for them.
December 23, 2006 at 12:20pm by Anthony Citrano
NBC knows what many don't - the days of IPTV and such are not far away, and the FCC will inevitably become irrelevant (unless we get new legislation.)
Since when has SNL been a family show?
be well, all
December 23, 2006 at 1:18pm by mickey
I frankly don't even see why the word "dick" had to be edited out of the snl show yet alone not be on the internet or nbc website. The show plays late at night. Considering alot of other things playing on television considered acceptable it seems quite tame. Alot of movies also that play on television can be risque. Anyone ever see Porkys or Fast Times At Ridemont High. There are some risque scenes in them that no one seems to find to be too much. Plus the skit was so funny.
December 23, 2006 at 3:39pm by Isaac
The moment I saw it, I knew it would make the viral rounds on the Internet, one way or another. It was creative, self-mocking, and campy in the way SNL is at its best. It is/would have been all over the Internet either way. Hosting it is just a way for NBC to be a part of the enthusiasm that ultimately is driven and controlled by users.
As for the un/censored versions, that's a little puzzling. Words like "penis" and "vagina" are used on prime-time TV all the time. My guess is the network was playing it safe with Mr. Timberlake, given the Nipplegate flap a couple of years ago. NOT censoring the audio portion might have given him a reputation as a "shock jock" wild card persona whenever he appears on national TV. And that's not something Timberlake can afford as he continues to build his superstar image.
December 23, 2006 at 4:34pm by Brian
They did a video almost like this with a UPS shipping video a while ago (probably quite a few years ago) that was absolutely hilarious. This is also VERY funny.
Censorship is overall quite a joke, and the FCC has no jurisdiction online. The video shouldn't have been censored anyway when it was broadcast on TV as that's what these TV ratings are for - to inform viewers of the content that they are going to watch.
Thoughts?
December 24, 2006 at 12:30pm by Chris
Glad to see that media companies are actually thinking outside the box. Good work NBC. FCC censorship is stupid
December 24, 2006 at 4:56pm by Mark
SNL went above and beyond the call of decency in editing this music video. They are after all a late night adult program and they should not have had to edit it at all. The FCC allows commercials in prime time pushing products for better erections and female sexual enjoyment. If you ask me thay should be sensored not SNL.
December 26, 2006 at 10:40am by Mike
If they don't censor that pig Rosie O'Donnell just for being repulsive, why should the word DICK be censored?
December 27, 2006 at 9:34am by Jim
The "censored" version was funnier ... I imagine they censored it as much for effect as for compliance
January 2, 2007 at 1:31am by FireCrow SilverNightOwl
The skit is so great. and the sensorship issue shows how out of step with common culture the FCC is. Language is just not sensored in profesional or cultural settings the way it used to be making TV a sterile contrast to contemporary culture.
I think NBC has done the best PR for thier brand, saying "we're are current and not a dynosaur".
Irronically... I think the censorship had comedic value by adding to the rediculousness of the video.
January 4, 2007 at 11:26pm by Shaun Sease
Since when was SNL ever family friendly? Why do they put Some TV shows on later, well maybe because they arent for the whole family. I thought it was hilarious. If you are going to get upset about this then how about the Schwetty balls skit they did with Alec Ballwin. They didnt censor him saying balls and they were a little more detailed about his BALLS. All of you sissy people who cry at every contraversial thing need to get over it.
January 8, 2007 at 3:07pm by Darryl
Shaun stole my thunder. All I can add is don't forget about Colonel Lingus and the "Womba."
I almost forgot, DIAB was also very funny.
February 9, 2007 at 12:48pm by Susan
I think it was pure genius - SNL has been floundering for so long, that NBC needed to do whatever it could to promote the Dick in a Box skit. It was one of the funniest things to appear on that show in years. And I agree with the others - SNL is on late Saturday night for a reason, it isn't meant to be a family show.
May 13, 2007 at 3:04pm by Phyl
I guess there are two ways to look at this. First, SNL is on after the 11 o'clock news. In contrast, the Internet is on all day and all night. Perhaps had the skit been performed by two SNL cast members it would not have been posted everywhere. However, JT was involved in the skit and, of course, is viewed by plenty of 14 year old girls who dream about Justin's dick. Justin Timberlake + a funny skit + SNL = Everybody wants to see it!
Parents, you just have to monitor what your kids are watching and hearing. It is impossible to be with them 24/7, but many of you allow your kids to listen to music with negative messages and watch programs that are not age appropriate. SNL is supposed to push the envelope. The people at SNL are doing their jobs. Are you doing yours?
The skit was funny!