10 Most Profane TV Shows, Ranked
Many TV shows are known for their heavy use of profanity, including classics like The Sopranos, Deadwood, and The Wire. For a long time, strong language on TV was restricted by U.S. network rules. It wasn't until the 1990s, with the emergence of cable channels such as HBO, that swearing became more common on television.
This new era of TV did not hold back on using a high volume of expletives, often surpassing the intensity found in the works of filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and David Mamet. While most of these shows aired on HBO, not all did.
Counting the exact number of F-bombs in a TV series is challenging compared to movies, where titles like Uncut Gems and The Wolf of Wall Street are famously profane. This list considers both the quantity and impact of swearing, with some subjective judgment based on the shows’ overall tone.
Dexter is included mainly because of the character Doakes, whose iconic swearing was a highlight in the show's earlier seasons. Debra, another character, also frequently dropped many F-bombs.
“It wasn’t really until the 1990s – and the rise of cable channels, like HBO – that swearing became possible on TV.”
“Dexter is here largely because of Doakes, whose swearing was iconic and a highlight of the show’s better/earlier seasons.”
Author's summary: The evolution of television profanity peaked with the rise of cable channels, especially HBO, making shows like The Sopranos and Dexter notorious for their memorable and frequent use of strong language.
Would you like this formatted for a particular publication style or include a list of the 10 shows?