10 Most Profane TV Shows, Ranked
Many TV shows are known for their frequent use of profanity, with classics like The Sopranos, Deadwood, and The Wire standing out for their notably strong language. For a long time, network restrictions, especially in the U.S., limited the use of bad language on television.
[translate:История развития телевидения с матерной лексикой интересна,] but to keep it brief, such language only became widespread in the 1990s with the rise of cable channels like HBO. This new era of television didn’t hold back on swearing, delivering it in volumes that could make even Quentin Tarantino and David Mamet blush.
Most of these shows aired on HBO, though not all. Counting the exact number of F-bombs in a series is difficult compared to movies like Uncut Gems or The Wolf of Wall Street, which are often cited as some of the most profane films ever. This ranking considers the quantity, memorability, and style of profanity rather than pure statistics.
Dexter is included mainly because of the character Doakes, whose iconic swearing marked the show's early and stronger seasons. Debra also frequently dropped many F-bombs, adding to the show’s reputation for explicit language.
“Most of these shows did air on HBO, but not all.”
Profanity on television evolved significantly due to changing norms and the expansion of cable networks, allowing writers more creative freedom with language.
Summary: This ranking highlights the evolution of profanity on TV, emphasizing shows that pushed boundaries with memorable and abundant swearing, mostly emerging with cable networks in the 1990s.
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