ITV1 has escaped criticism from media regulator OfCom over Sharon Osbourne's previously reported sweaty rant against poor Vic Reeves at this year's Brit Awards, despite it garnering many viewer complaints, on the basis that it was after the watershed, and the Brits are renowned for such behaviour. The live TV screening of this year's big music awards show got 128 viewer complaints, over Osbourne's language and the "portrayal of the use of alcohol" on the show.
Responding OfCom said yesterday: "While we understand that this language may have been offensive to some viewers, it was broadcast after the watershed and in a programme with a particular reputation. We believe that regular viewers would have been aware of the likelihood of this kind of material. Further, Ofcom research indicates that the examples of language quoted are generally considered quite mild".
It added that use of alcohol on the show was "limited and incidental" and that overall the programme "did not condone or glamorise alcohol misuse". Pictures of embarrassingly drunk pop stars, they concluded, "were more likely to be cautionary than attractive".