Doctor Who Lesbian Kiss Scene Cut In Case It Offends Asian Audiences.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2738813/Homophobia-row-BBC-cuts-Doctor-Who-lesbian-kiss-scene-lizard-woman-avoid-offending-Asian-audience.html

Why after 51 years of screening 'Doctor Who' was there any need to include a Lesbian scene in the first place?

/// The decision to remove the first lesbian encounter in the show’s 51-year history has angered gay rights campaigners, who accused executives of giving into homophobia. ///

[jim360]

Why not?

[Old_Geezer]

In a "children's" programme, probably not.
Was it integral to the plot ?

[Old_Geezer]

That said, I'm unsure what Asians have against lizard women.

[jim360]

I'd say that it was, although the plot element in Dr WHo has of late not been that strong anyway!

But heck, we show men kissing women all over the place and no-one complains apart from the occasional misery-guts, lesbian kisses should be broadcast about as often as any other kiss. (Well, not quite as often, but they shouldn't be censored).

[sp1814]

AOG

You asked:

"Why after 51 years of screening 'Doctor Who' was there any need to include a Lesbian scene in the first place?"

Read the story to the end and you will discover why.

It was not a lesbian kiss for two reasons.

1. It was an oxygene exchange.

2. For it to have been a 'lesbian kiss', it would have to have been between two females of the same species. In this programme, one was a woman, and the other an alien lizard creature.

Furthermore, this is reminiscent of the kiss between Captain Kirk and Lieutenant Uhuru in Star Trek all those years ago. The episode was not originally broadcast because it was an interracial kiss. I'm sure that back then, there were people horrified by the idea, which now looks quite quaint and inoffensive.

I would wager that in the future, this too will be looked upon as equally inoffensive.

[Gromit]

// Why after 51 years of screening 'Doctor Who' was there any need to include a Lesbian scene in the first place? //

1. Why were you not offended when this was broadcast. Millions have watched it since then
2. The scene was not cut from the UK broadcast. It was edited for showing in a different market, presumably to make it easier to sell.
3. Though a fictional series, Doctor Who uses contemporary themes. Homosexuality is a reality. If you are a writer, why restrict what you can write about, especially in a genre that lets you explore all kinds of scenarios. Star Trek did a lesbian kiss decades ago.
4. Not sure a kiss between lizards can strictly be labelled 'Lesbian'?

[Mosaic]

One of the old doctor's 'assistants' used to gad about wearing a bikini made of chamois leathers. Was that necessary in a children's programme?

[sp1814]

That was Leila.

She was Tom Baker's assistant back in the 80s.

Suddenly, quite a few dads started watching the show at that point.

[anotheoldgit]

ColinandJess

/// Heterosexual kisses are seen all the time and frequently in Dr who. ///

What kissing a Lizard woman, something strange about that, I can't see any man desperate enough to do that.

[sp1814]

Sorry...Leela not Leila.

[Mosaic]

AOG - there are men who find snogging sheep quite good fun, so lizards?

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// The episode was not originally broadcast because it was an interracial
kiss. ///

Where did you get that from?

Here is the correct information

http://io9.com/5827581/10-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-original-star-trek

*** That famous interracial kiss was originally between Spock and Uhura
Star Trek is well-known for featuring the first interracial kiss on television, between Captain Kirk and Lt. Uhura. But in the episode's actual script, that kiss would have transpired between Uhura and Spock, instead. According to Uhura actor Nichelle Nichols: ***

*** My understanding is Bill Shatner took one look at the scene and said, ‘No you will not! If anyone's going to be part of the first interracial kiss in television history, it's going to be me!' So they rewrote it. ***

*** Perhaps that original scene was one inspiration for the Spock/Uhura romance in the most recent Trek film? ***

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/04/article-2355854-1AA2D42C000005DC-404_634x678.jpg

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Kp4LPMpq--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/17yi21qsu4hrdjpg.jpg

[whiskeryron]

Why are we so afraid to witness a show of affection between two individuals whether they be between same sex, different sexes or even different species ? how many times have you seen someone give a kiss to their favourite dog or horse or cat? Why do some of us get so up tight about it ?

[pixie373]

The question should more be - how has it been on for 51 years without a lesbian kiss.

[jomifl]

who gives a ****

[sp1814]

AOG

The episode was banned in the UK for 25 years.

Furthermore, in the US, loads of Southern states refused to show it.

This is quite well known.