well, there's a lot of little differences that usually come down to one channel's censors being more chaste than the other, usually MTV*, but one thing I've noticed more and more recently is this petty competitive thing where they censor references to each other in lyrics, like:
MTV blanking out Chingy's mention of BET like it's just another swear word in the "Holidae Inn" video
the BET version of Kanye West's "Through The Wire" cutting up the line "story on MTV, and I ain't tryin' to make a band" by splicing in an ad lib from the beginning of the track, so it sounds like "Yo g! -- I ain't tryin' to make a band"
also, the most conspicuous of all was the MTV version of R. Kelly's "Snake" (remix), which cut out a whole verse by Big Tigga (host of BET Rap City), while leaving in Cam'ron's verse. that kind of thing I think is especially petty. although strangely, they didn't make similiar cuts to Beyonce's "Fighting Temptation" video, which featured Free from 106&Park.
MTV doesn't seem to mind references to 106&Park itself, though (i.e. Nelly's line in "Hot In Herre"), maybe they don't know that it's the name of a BET show!
* one notable exception being BET's cut of Busta's "Light Your Ass On Fire", which covered every ass shot with a big Star Trak logo, while MTV let the booty wiggle away.
― Al (sitcom), Thursday, 18 December 2003 15:50 (twenty-two years ago)
ok, you don't have to feign shock, but c'mon, say something!
― Al (sitcom), Thursday, 18 December 2003 16:17 (twenty-two years ago)
OMG I need to see the BET version of Light Your Ass On Fire.
― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 18 December 2003 16:18 (twenty-two years ago)
This is very interesting Al, thanks. I don't have anything to add unfortunately.
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 18 December 2003 18:49 (twenty-two years ago)
hehe, yeah, I think maybe threads like this don't so much beg for debate or replies as they do a federal grant for further research.
― Al (sitcom), Thursday, 18 December 2003 18:51 (twenty-two years ago)
don't the two networks have the same corporate parent? you'd think the synergistic opportunities would be welcomed!!
― maura (maura), Thursday, 18 December 2003 19:30 (twenty-two years ago)
Boston had two rock stations owned by Clear Channel that had a fake rivalry that existed before one got bought. I assume it existed because controversy (commercials slandering the other station) helped the "edgy rock station" image. Creating discussion of MTV and BET 'rivalry' is just good promotion. See also: East Coast vs West Coast.
― Xii (Xii), Thursday, 18 December 2003 23:20 (twenty-two years ago)
I thought MTV did censor the Nelly mention of 106 and Park.
― Colin Beckett (Colin Beckett), Thursday, 18 December 2003 23:44 (twenty-two years ago)
did they? it's been a while since I've seen the video so I was going on memory. that's another one, then!
― Al (sitcom), Friday, 19 December 2003 00:15 (twenty-two years ago)
I live in asia and sometimes the satellite channels (MTV Phils, Channel V Asia or something) switch the versions of videos we get shown. Stuffs with my brain something fierce.
― Jole, Friday, 19 December 2003 12:57 (twenty-two years ago)
UK music tv censors 'just want to make you [come-a]' from 'hey ya!' but uk radio 1 does not.
― Enrique (Enrique), Friday, 19 December 2003 13:00 (twenty-two years ago)
one month passes...
on the rare occasion that BET plays "Hey Ya!", I've noticed their version has a different guy introducing the band of Andre's, wearing all black with jewelry and stuff (but still with an English accent), or maybe just the same guy in a different outfit, very weird.
― Al (sitcom), Friday, 23 January 2004 07:06 (twenty-two years ago)