Bang Bang, You’re STILL F–ked: Victoria’s ‘Underbelly’ Gets The Pixel Treatment

As though Channel Nine hasn’t been dragged back and forth over metaphorical hot coals and then metaphorically whipped with branches before being metaphorically urinated on when it comes to what was to be 2008’s saving grace, the beleaguered “real life” drama series Underbelly, the pity party never stops: now Victorians are finally able to see the show, which will begin screening this Sunday night, only they’ll be getting a version that the censors and Supreme Court have had their sticky paws all over.

The face of an actor who plays an accused criminal will be pixelated.

Victorians will see only the first five episodes of the 13-part series after a Supreme Court ruling yesterday.

The episodes have been specially edited to satisfy concerns raised by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Jeremy Rapke, QC.

Justice Peter Vickery ruled against the sixth episode and Nine did not seek to screen the remaining seven episodes. An accused criminal, known only as X, tried to get the series barred, fearing it would affect his upcoming court case.

But Justice Peter Vickery said the five episodes in their edited form could be aired.

The face of the actor said to be based on X, who appears only briefly in the episodes, will be blurred. But screening the sixth episode could prejudice X’s case, Justice Vickery said. He said X’s right to a fair trial was far more important than the public’s need to be entertained by the episode.

“What is seen on television enters directly into the mind of the audience with little opportunity for analysis,” he said.

Says a lot about the faith Victoria’s legal system has in the intelligence of its jurors, doesn’t it? Next thing you know they’ll be making citizens’ arrests on bad guys from Mount Thomas!

Anyway, so long as we get to revel in Vince Collosimo barking “I’M ALPHONSE GANGITANO!!” in that magnificent Lygon Street twang, I’ll be happy.