The Tricks of the Trade

Remember when I asked how Madonna would squeeze in some of Her tour's controversial messages into the confines of NBC broadcast standards?

She has since proclaimed that the crucifixion will make air. We should assume that a little S&M-lite horseplay won't be too offensive either. (All naughty words, however, will be deleted, as per FCC mandates.)

But what of the nod to gays? Notwithstanding the whole damned tour is a paean to gay sensibilities, I mean the Forbidden Love piece in which four men "hand dance" to evoke homosexual relationships. Madge even steps in the middle of this tortured "We must hide our love" implication to link one couple.

So what of this daring, gay-friendly statement for network television?

It's gone.

Check out a picture from the song before Madge hit Europe (and before the special was announced):













Now, see if you can tell the difference in the following, post-NBC taping show:

That's right: the gay subtext has been wiped away to make room for an au courant political statement ("The world - especially that part of the world - needs love."). As if other parts of the show didn't make this point already. And as if we didn't all experience Re-Invention two years ago when we saw the adorable picture of the Palestinian kid embracing the Israeli kid after Imagine and when the flags of these nations merged during Holiday.

So Forbidden Love makes it to NBC without a scandal.

Well played, Madge. Thanks for nothing?