ITV has ignited a fiery debate among viewers after adding a modern content warning to a televised broadcast of the beloved 1978 musical Grease.
What Did the Warning Say?
During a recent screening, the channel prefaced the John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John film with a notice alerting audiences to "mild language and teenage misbehaviour". This advisory was applied by ITV executives, despite the film's long-standing PG (Parental Guidance) certificate from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).
The BBFC's own rating guidelines state the film contains "mild language and sex references." These references include a scene featuring a broken contraceptive, dialogue that ridicules virginity, and a vulgar description of a car used to attract women—elements some modern critics argue trivialise issues of consent.
Viewer Reaction: 'Pathetic and Woke'
The decision did not sit well with a significant portion of the audience. Social media platform X became a hub for criticism, with fans of the classic film lambasting the broadcaster.
One incensed viewer wrote: "You are truly a pathetic bunch of woke namby pambies to do this!" Another comment sarcastically remarked: "I guess it can be triggering to see good looking young people have fun. I hope Saturday Night Fever gets a trigger warning for 'dancing' too."
The backlash centres on accusations that ITV is being overly cautious or "woke" by applying contemporary sensitivity standards to a nostalgic film set in the 1950s.
The Enduring Story of Grease
Grease tells the story of the summer romance between good girl Sandy Olsson and greaser Danny Zuko. They are surprised to find themselves attending the same school, Rydell High, and must navigate high school cliques like the T-Birds and Pink Ladies to rekindle their relationship.
Despite the current controversy, the film remains widely available for fans to stream on ITV's online service, ITVX.
The incident highlights the ongoing cultural tension between preserving classic artworks in their original context and applying evolving societal norms to their consumption. ITV has yet to issue a formal response to the viewer complaints.
