I noticed something in the last few years that seems to be growing, especially on the ABC comedies. Primetime comedies from one of the main four networks that features characters saying "What the F*%$" or some other censored curse word. The Goldbergs did it a lot, usually from the mom. Does anyone find this funny? Even if it was uncensored, it wouldn't be funny. A bad word isn't automatically funny, especially when it's censored.

The only shows that I can recall pulling it off are South Park and Arrested Development. The former, more so in its earlier seasons. And of course Michael Scott confusing Queer as Folk as "Queer as Fuck".

This scene on NBC's "Trial & Error" was one of the funniest TV moments of the year and used it

I do enjoy when Beverly Goldberg does it, but it can absolutely be overused.

Good call! Forgot that one completely. Man, I miss that show. I hope it's back on soon.

Are we counting The Good Place?

They just started filming the new season with Kristin Chenoweth, so I would guess it will premiere this summer.

What the fork?

That's borderline. It's acceptable in a cute way, but I haven't really found it funny. It's all subjective of course.

Yes. It was immensely funny on the DCS way back when but when it's unbleeped some of what made it funny is diminished

What's DCS? I can't figure it out.

Dana Carvey Show maybe? I'd also guess Drew Carey Show but I watched that religiously and don't remember bleeps.

As for the question: yes as along as its not overused. The Goldbergs have used it a little too often. Sometimes I find it funnier than if the actual word is said. My favorite use of it (or the one that comes to mind) was on Modern Family, I think around season three when Lily says "fuck" repeatedly throughout the episode culminating at a wedding where she's the flower girl.

And while not the same thing at all, I will always laugh at the unnecessary bleeps on Kimmel. That's never not at least a little funny.

I guess The Goldbergs might be my best example of it not making me laugh. The exaggerated "Whaaat theee F****". I think American Housewife does it too.

Maybe I just need to watch better shows.

That Modern Family moment crossed my mind too, but like Trial & Error, it was a fairly isolated moment on the series. I'm talking more like The Goldbergs, which seems to do it once an episode.

What made me start this thread was they did it on Splitting Up Together's pilot episode last week. But that may have less to do with censored language and more with my disappointment that Jenna Fischer can't find one good series after The Office.

Dave Chapelle Show

Broad City uses it pretty well

As always, Seinfeld did it the best.

It worked so well because of how Seinfeld always had the motto about cursing, and that the only time he ever did of it was in front the same little kid.

I think it can be funny once in a while, But to bleep just to bleep has always been a little tacky, and a cop out.

Never.

His first name wasn’t in the title.

Arrested Development did it well.

Actually, I disagree there. Especially in standup. Throwing a "fuck" in to a joke usually makes it funnier.

While that is true, I think Jerry said it best. Tell me that joke without the cursing, and see if it's still funny. If you want to be a bar room, cellar comedian the rest of your life, then sure go for it. If you want to make it and actually become memorable try it clean.

I definitely love comedians that curse, but I do see the realization in that. I think it makes you work even harder to tell the joke better. I think a calculated curse is much better.

It also depends on the comic. To quote someone else, if your funny, then do that.

Agree 100%. But to answer Jerry; it's not like comedians never make it just because they curse. There are tons (in fact, all apart from him) that curse and they are hilarious.