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Catholics call foul on Ramsay's rants

by: Reuters: James Grubel
 
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Australia's Catholic Church has demanded that foul-mouthed British chef Gordon Ramsay's reality TV show, Hell's Kitchen, be taken off the air.

The move comes as Australia's parliament holds an inquiry into swearing on television, prompted by Ramsay's antics in his series Kitchen Nightmares and Hell's Kitchen from the UK and the United States, now broadcast three nights a week in Australia.

One episode broadcast recently featured Ramsay using a four-letter expletive more than 80 times, while he also shouts at a chef saying: "You French pig."

"There can be no excuse for vilification of this sort. We conclude that this episode should never have been aired on Australian television," the Catholic church in the southern city of Adelaide said in a submission to the parliamentary inquiry.

Ramsay's reality programs are popular ratings draw cards in Australia, but they have also prompted complaints from schools and parent groups who are angry that the shows are broadcast at times when children may be watching television.

The inquiry has received more than 50 public submissions, with the overwhelming majority in favour of tighter regulation and calling for the Nine television network, which broadcasts the programs, to censor Ramsay.

But the Council for Civil Liberties in Australia's largest state of New South Wales said it has no problems with Ramsay's programs, which regularly attract more than 1 million viewers.

Check out Chef Ramsay's rants for yourself.
Be warned this video montage contains a lot of four-letter expletives.

Too much f-ing for you or should freedom of speech prevail?

- None

 
 
 

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Tiara
5/6/2008 3:44:43 PM
I think Ramsay is a sadist pig the poor people who work for him must be paid compensation! And why the f-word... why not the s-word or damn or something??
 
Craig
5/8/2008 11:22:13 AM
How dare the catholic church comment on a TV program with a few F words in it. In Australia they par-took in the forced removal of aboriginal children from the parents and put them in homes, were rape and beatings were a daily occurrence. Their illegal acts of hiding rapists and child molesters in the USA, support of Mafia gangsters etc should have been a reason to shut them down, the Roman church is a disgrace in the eyes of any religious person and should be closed down. At least Ramsey tell the truth.
 
lyn
5/8/2008 11:26:48 AM
It draws the ratings. Personally I love his show the f word - we are all adults, whats the big deal. We should be worried about crime in SA and not a chef in another country whose claim to fame is using profanity.
 
Busi
5/8/2008 12:38:42 PM
Men & women who fought for freedom of speech did not fight for this. Fortunately for me - I do not watch his show. I'm being abused daily thank you by rappers who swear left, right & centre while I'm taking a Taxi to Sea Point.
 
Busi
5/8/2008 12:44:53 PM
Him saying someone was a Xhosa/Zulu/ Afrikaner pig in SA!I would not have been to work today - it would have been a MASS STRIKE.
 
David
5/8/2008 1:27:16 PM
I once heard the word 'b*m' I was so embarrassed !
 
Bob
5/8/2008 1:31:18 PM
I haven't seen an entire episode, doesn't really interest me... oh, and someone PLEASE tell the Roman Catholic church that they don't rule anymore.
 
nico
5/8/2008 1:38:57 PM
That clip is hilarious!! If you don't like it...then don't watch it...simple as that. I don't do ballet, cause i don't like ballet.
 
Tanya
5/8/2008 1:40:39 PM
Parents should be more aware of what their kids watch, and I think his shows are better than Teletubbies or that Yugi O crap. Hey here in SA we have Days thats on during the day, and thats like a porn soapie so whats the big deal?
 
clarence
5/8/2008 1:56:05 PM
Let food be the soul of life, what's up with the church, there are more Violence on t.v., do they do anything, no..they should check there own backyard first..
 
Roy
5/8/2008 5:59:43 PM
The Catholics should focus on getting rid of paedophile clergy rather than trying to censor a food programme. And if you don't like Hells Kitchen there is an OFF button on your TV remote control
 
Lejane
5/8/2008 6:16:07 PM
This is not a glib issue. First of all, like all of us, the church has a right to an opinion and I respect that. Secondly, are we really that far gone that we are glued to the tv screen to hear swearing and abuse? If we are, then that IS a rather sad reflection on our society. And as for "what's the big deal", my question rather is "how low are we going to allow the tv stations to take us?"
 
Matt
5/9/2008 3:00:26 AM
Take responsibility for YOURSELF! If you do not like it, strain toward the remote and touch the channel button! At least he is not gripping his groin too! Wish we all had such passion for our work!
 
Cois
5/9/2008 6:53:02 AM
Let the poor chap do what he feels. If you dont like the programm, then dont whatch it. if you do like it, send in a request to view it on a daily basis!!
 
Marc
5/9/2008 7:28:18 AM
Although he makes entertaining television Ramsay is a poster child for an industry struggling to shake off it's archaeic nature of abuse and expolitation. I too work in the food industry ( granted not famously ) and look forward to the day when the likes of Ramsay are a thing of the past. I'll rather watch great chef's showcasing their skills rather than their ego's.
 
Johan
5/9/2008 8:08:29 AM
Have you ever been to the Vatican? About the only thing the bunch of vultures known as the Catholic Church do'nt try to make money out of, is the Pope's morning urine sample. I'd rather be a athiest, and watch swearing chefs than bother with anything the Catholic Church says, does or wants!
 
Juan
5/9/2008 8:13:03 AM
The excessive use of bad language is enough to give anyone indigestion. He is the real pig. He has no manners and morals.
 
Amdar4
5/9/2008 8:13:43 AM
My husband is a chef... used to work for Ramsay actually. He says Ramsay's a good guy, just a little high strung. Kitchen talk is not pleasant, even when they're being nice with each other your ears would burn. Anyone read Anthony Bourdain's book, "Kitchen Confidential"? It explains a lot about what appears to be vilification but is actually sweet talk.
 
SoRude
5/9/2008 8:18:33 AM
When I wes a kid if my mother said 'bre#st' i giggled a lot.
 
Jonathan
5/9/2008 9:22:35 AM
Nothing offends me more than the CC but I don't interfere in their affairs.
 
streene
5/9/2008 9:58:35 AM
I think he is rarving iodiot that should be taken off air...not only does he belittle his satff, he gets into personal insults. He is a pig with no manners.
 
Chloe
5/9/2008 10:38:37 AM
Why are the Catholics called "the Church"? Catholics pray to mother this, and padre that? Most of what they say and preach is not biblically founded. They're not "the Church" at all. People who believe in the Bible word for word are The unseen Church. Sawry - oh we were discussing Gordon Ramsey... Now that's another story. Chlo
 
Althea
5/12/2008 6:53:10 AM
That man grosses me out - I cannot watch him; swearing or no swearing. He needs Botox big-time.
 
Paul
5/12/2008 7:00:21 AM
I am a catholic and I do not see what any of this has to do with the church. If they don't like it they shouldnt watch it. This is why the stuff is called REALITY TV people. If it offends you, stop whining and change channels !
 
Non Gordon
5/12/2008 8:37:21 AM
I really don't think this man should be allowed to have staff. Imagine if he worked in South Africa?? He'd have been sued and taken to the CCMA more times than you can count. No one deserves to be spoken to the way he speaks to people: who the hell does he think he is? Church or no church, he has nothing else going for him personality wise, and intimidating people is the only way he gets attention. Take him off air completely.
 
Catzbin
5/12/2008 2:32:50 PM
I just love Gordon Ramsey!! The way he takes control, knows what he wants, knows how to get what he wants, his confidence, his cooking, his love for food, the discipline he demands.. It's fantastic!! Gives me a tingly feeling all over... What a MAN!
 
Najen
5/12/2008 3:06:17 PM
Should soldiers complain about being treated badly? Should paramedics complain about working too late? Perhaps police should claim abuse because they get shot. Perfectionists are generally high strung achievers. I am one too. If my employee can't handle it, leave. That goes for you too Busi.
 
koz
5/12/2008 3:25:54 PM
I think that the Catholic Church chould concentrate more on getting rid of there "wayward' fathers than sticking there nose where it doesn't belong-again.
 
Sandra
6/12/2009 11:01:42 AM
He has never been my favourite to watch on the telly. His bad language puts me off and so does the way he talks to his staff. Not for me Im afraid.
 
 

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