Even for Cartoon Network, super-hero fantasy show Steven Universe is pretty out-there. The sort of show that picks up an adult fanbase for its crazy visuals, diversity of characters and deep mythology. And it has Nicki Minaj cameos.
Yet despite the show picking up many female and LGBT fans, Cartoon Network has come under fire for seemingly censoring a scene where two female characters—Pearl and Rose Quartz—dance and (almost) kiss. In the uncut version that aired in the US, their mouths get very close to each other before they undergo a Power Rangers-style transformation—but when the scene was shown on UK TV, the most intimate moments were replaced with a cut away to a male character's shocked reaction. It’s only a tiny edit, but it is noticeable.
Here's a comparison between the original and cut versions (the dance starts at about 1:55):
Understandably this has annoyed a lot of people—especially those fans who loved the show because they felt it spoke to them. Cartoon Network UK responded on their Facebook, saying: “Cartoon Network (in Europe) often shows amended versions of programs from US originals. The US broadcast system requires that shows are marked with a rating –in this case PG. In the UK we have to ensure everything on air is suitable for kids of any age at any time. We do feel that the slightly edited version is more comfortable for local kids and their parents.”
[via The Independent]
