X-Rated: The TV They Tried to Ban

Overview

X-Rated: The TV They Tried to Ban was a 2005 British one-off television documentary examining controversial material on British television. It was first broadcast on Channel 4, at 10pm on Sunday 6 March 2005, as part of their "Banned" season, and was approx. 90 minutes long. The TV They Tried to Ban highlighted examples of offensive language, sexually explicit content and disturbing images on television. The documentary itself could have become notable as an explicit programme, but Ofcom received only one complaint for "Offence" caused by the documentary, and did not uphold it because the programme contained sufficient warnings. It has been repeated many times, mainly on E4. It contained contributions from celebrities, media commentators, programme-makers and the critics of explicit broadcasts. Interviewees included Shaun Ryder, Caprice Bourret, Paul Ross, Stephen K Amos, Vince Powell, David Quantick, Garry Bushell and Charlie Parsons.