ABC Drops The “B-Word” In Not One, But Two New Pilot Titles

There’s a certain utility in an occasional curse word. Or shock title. You get someone’s attention, create some waves — it’s everything you’d want to accomplish with a new T.V. show. Make everyone repeat its name by naming it something unrepeatable.

But with ABC’s two latest show titles, there’s plenty to bitch about.

In its midseason replacements, “Don’t Trust The B—- in Apartment 23″ (bleep-out theirs, not mine, actually) and “GCB” (which stands for “Good Christian female dogs,” obviously) the network invokes a dumb curse without sullying its image by actually saying the word. The hypocrisy is mind-boggling.

ABC Entertainment President Paul Lee swears that premiering these two shows at the same time wasn’t intentional, according to the New York Daily News. In fact, he says, the coinciding titular rhymes-with-itches are “just coincidence, really.” Lee also noted that “Apartment 23″ almost included the full “bitch” — but said “the producers and we felt that on broadcast, it’s not a word you want to use in the title.” Lest they violate anyone’s delicate sensibilities.

These shows join other head scratchers on ABC’s 2011-2012 lineup, including, according to The Wrap’s rundown, “Bad Mom” (which, by all appearances is still in development), “Man Up” (which was cancelled) and, yes, “Work It.”

And no, I’m not just picking on ABC. Let’s not forget Fox’s 2011 offering, “I Hate My Teenage Daughter.” Or CBS’ late, brotacular “How To Be A Gentleman.” Point being, gender talk dominated this year’s pilot line-up — across many networks. It’s the hot-button issue.

So if you want to call us the bitches? Fine. There are clearly more offensive things out there than a pejorative slang being used in (attempted?) tongue-in-cheek humor. But own it. As it stands, ABC is saying that they’re good enough to think of us as “bitches” — but they’re far too proper to say it out loud.

TAGS: abc b in apartment 23 | abc gcb | abc new shows

• Women VS. Men How Do We Compare on Fiscal Equality?
• 8 Things Your Boss Doesn't Need To Know
• 7 Ridiculous Kitchen Gadgets That You Don't Need
• 20 Sneaky (and Easy!) Ways to Save