BSC Upholds Complaints About Psychos Series

The Broadcasting Standards Commission has upheld 28 complaints about the Channel 4 series Psychos. The complainants were concerned that the five-part series reinforced prejudices of people within the mental health system.

Most complaints were about the title of the series itself. Channel 4 said that Psychos was intended to refer to doctors rather than patients and make a statement about the boundaries between madness and sanity, but the BSC ruled that its ambiguity could cause offence to those with mental health problems. The phrase “it will blow your mind” which appeared in the publicity advert caused similar complaints.

The commission was also concerned by the trivialisation of the relationship between the doctor and one of his patients which, in its view “gave the wrong signal about the seriousness of such a breach of trust.”

Criticisms were also levied on Plastic Man, an ITV drama which stared John Thaw; viewers complained about sexual violence and bad language. Complaints about a lengthy scene of attempted rape were upheld on the grounds that it would shock viewers who are accustomed to the type of drama usually associated with the actor.

Broadcasting Standards Commission: 0171 233 0544