Photo:
So once again we see that Duran Duran have been pulled from the MTV airwaves once again for being "too sexual"; yet the decision has provoked controversy relating to the videos fairly tame take on sexuality in relation to say the Rihanna's and Lady Gaga's of this world. The concern raised in this fashion is rightfully an issue that MTV would be wise to take note of as their wavering hold on the music world begins to loosen its grip. The whole debacle points toward not only a rank hypocrisy but a questionable attitude towards what those in charge might view as lucrative and explicit.
Examination of the video proves to find nothing overtly sexual, apart from perhaps a little bit of titillation involving a few female members of the cast sharing a wee kiss - which from the position of a being a bloke is certainly nothing to complain about. Not to mention a little number 'I Kissed A Girl' by Katy Perry is just as bad if not more risqué in its message; in that there isn't one, it's simply attention grabbing provocation through a pretense of false innocence contrasted by mythical lesbianism.
As for the rest of the video it is at its core a clever pastiche piece that a source close to the band has defined very well in stating:
"The band had an amazing time filming the video and certainly don't take themselves too seriously, playing cameo roles as waiters, bell hops, chauffeurs and paparazzi. The video reflects a supposed day-in-the-life-of expose, that has every ounce of trademark Duran Duran tongue in cheek humour and glamour".
As such it becomes an amusing piece of film that features the models Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Eva Herzigova, Helena Christensen and Yasmin Le Bon posing as the band in what is half parody half homage to the music/fashion industry niche that Duran Duran fall perfectly into.
If you looked at the situation from extremes, say the definition of "pornographic", the video most certainly is not. Pornography is defined as explicit material with no sense or over-arching meaning only the induction of sexual thought. Viewed through this lens the video for 'Girl Panic' is anything but, instead it is a distinctively self-aware piece that is inherently harmless and in many ways empowering to women.
Now view the video alongside rap videos like 'The Thong Song' or say Ludacris' 'What's Your Fantasy' which have notably not been banned by MTV and tell us which you believe is more sexual. The question is one that answers itself both due to the lyrical content of the music: one about the lady's fashion for flossing between their butt cheeks, the other basically about f**king. That's about as no-nonsense as you can get.
Yet at the same it is arguably extremely demeaning to women as frequently pointed out over the last 20 years. Unequivocally it is an accusation that is unfortunately true, if you are a girl and you like this music (which is frequently the case) don't worry the finger isn't being pointed here. But if you view Duran Duran's 'Girl Panic' alongside this piece of ungodly sophistication, tell me which would you ban?
To be honest though who really cares what MTV think? It seems quite fitting for the video to be banned 30 years following 'Girls On Film' which suffered the same fate. The channel continuously air less and less music over time, instead choosing to focus on the idiotic sub-cultures within which it chooses to embroil itself. Simply MTV's stake in the music industry is short of nothing right now, especially thanks to Youtube, 4Music and Kerrang etc... Namely channels that actually choose to broadcast music.
Also do Duran Duran really need MTV? Not really, they are big enough without, especially with the ban provoking such glorious solidarity across the internet exposing the hypocrisy of the music industry's attitude to sexuality. It is something that personally highlights the Rihanna's of the world for the empty titillation that they exhibit simply for the sake of popularity.
Duran Duran know what they are doing and they do it brilliantly, with nearly 5,000,000 views on the video at the time of this article it's clear that MTV should have kept their mouths firmly shut.
