Madonna Sparks British TV Criticism

By Stephen M. Silverman

02/11/2002 at 01:40 AM EST

Madonna is no stranger to being "bleeped" on TV. In 1994, her on-air remarks to David Letterman led to missing words on the televised voice track once the previously taped broadcast was sent out to viewers. But this Monday morning, TV watchdogs in England were not amused by what Madonna, 43, had to say during a live awards show in January, with the group delivering Britain's Channel 4 a slap on the wrist, reports Reuters. Presenting the Turner Prize art award last month, Madonna peppered her speech with four-letter words as she announced the winner, despite reported pleas from the event's TV producers that she behave. She also called award shows "silly" and, in an apparent slam at the nearly $35,000 Turner prize, claimed that art was as its best when money wasn't involved. The Independent Television Commission said Monday that Channel 4 was guilty of breaching its code of conduct by failing to "bleep" Madonna. Officials for Channel 4 replied that their precautions had failed and their "trust in Madonna was abused." They added that from outward appearances beforehand, the pop icon took the event very seriously, though she repeatedly ignored the station's request that it review her speech. After her appearance, the station issued two on-air apologies.