'Powers' shag is shorn
Singapore censors change 'crude and offensive' title
When the sequel opens June 24, it will go by the title "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shioked Me," according to a report in the Straits Times newspaper. "Shiok" means good and nice in Singlish, which is the Singaporean take on English.
The censors in Singapore, a former British colony, know all too well that shagging means sexual intercourse in Britspeak, which is why they asked local distributor Warner Bros. to change the "crude and offensive" word on all publicity material and in the film.
The original title, "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me," will be allowed on imported printed materials, such as magazines, however.
Ken Low, general manager of Warner's Singapore operation, told the paper that "shioked" was chosen because it had a local feel to it and would generate a "nice, funny feeling."
