Anger at pops "dirtiest" video

 

Herald Sun, October 10

A pop video dubbed "the dirtiest of all time" has upset family groups. The video, which has helped dance track Call On Me to a third week at the top of the British charts, has been branded almost pornographic by some parents and politicians

Now it is set to hit free Australian TV screens, with the song planned for release here 18 october. The video shows scantily clad participants in an aerobics class rubbing themselves and rubbing towels suggestively across their bodies.

It is so explicit producers have made two versions - a "clean" one for children and a "late-night" one for older viewers.

The late-night version shows a woman squeezing her breasts and another slapping her behind while dancing. Australian Family Association spokesman, Bill Muehlenberg said it was time a line was drawn.

"This is bordering on pornography for children'" Mr Muehlenberg said.

"It is not good for them and contributes to the overall problem we have in society, with everyone being treated like sexual objects. Enough is enough."

"The TV networks should be responsible and put the well being of our children ahead of profits by not showing this video. If they refuse, the Government should step in."

Academic research in the US has shown that children who watch a lot of TV with sexual content are twice as likely to start having intercourse during the next year as those who don't watch such programs. And a survey has found 78 per cent of 18 - 24 year olds want tougher controls on teen magazines and pop clip content.

Last month the AFA and Young Media Australia called for more controls amid worries about explicit imagery in clips shown on TV shows such as Video Hits and rage. Pre-order sales for the track in Britain were more than 100,000 - many for the DVD version - and it has become one of the year's biggest sellers.

Last week the track, sold by Swedish DJ Eric Prydz, was performed on BBC TV's Top of the Pops with the scantily clad dancers cavorting on stage. The video is a spoof of an aerobic lesson scene in 1985 film Perfect with John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis.

A spokesman for record label Ministry of Sound said " Our videos, including the promo for Call On Me, are inspired by the spirit of the Carry on films and are meant to be good, clean fun."