It's Only Words

James Whale referred to this episode in his 2008 autobiography "Almost A Celebrity". However, the gap of over a decade had seen James get some details confused, such as believing that this was the same episode where Jim Bowen swore. (Which was actually Fear of Flying (1991).)

James's summary included the following details (censored for reproduction): "In fact, the episode was called 'The F*** and C*** Show'. The idea was to explore the origins of these words - two words that were, and still are, completely taboo as far as live television went. When the episode was conceived, it wasn't with the deliberate intention of shocking people. After all, the programme wasn't transmitted until one o'clock in the morning and anyone who objected could always switch off.

So, we went ahead. We had an Oxford University professor in the studio to explain the roots of these words and to add a little respectability to our arguments. 'F***' is quite well known as an old Anglo-Saxon word, but the word 'c***' is a different matter. The professor explained that the word 'c***' originated from a street name in the city of London, a street where prostitutes gathered, which was called Great C*** Street."

Keeping with the episode's theme of censorship, all of the end credits have letters replaced with asterisks, such as the star of the show being credited as "J*m*s Wh*l*".

References Des O'Connor Tonight: Episode #10.5 (1986)