It Takes a Little Something to Alter ‘Mary’

There’s something about a toned-down version of the raunchy comedy “There’s Something About Mary.”

The R-rated 1998 film, which was filled with crude humor, sex jokes and an infamous scene featuring a custom-made hair gel, will make its broadcast TV premiere tonight on Fox with several edits and a rating that warns parents about dialogue and sexual situations. Other cautions will be flashed during the film, which will begin airing during the so-called family hour at 8 p.m.

However, Fox is assuring fans of the film that the “spirit of the humor” will come through. The comedy was edited with input from Peter Farelly, who directed the movie along with his brother Bobby Farelly.

One Fox executive, who did not want to be named, said that certain jokes would be cut, but not to the point that the intent of the scene would be missed. For instance, in one scene in which a man (Ben Stiller) tries to reduce his tension before a date with Mary (Cameron Diaz), the girl of his dreams, “the audience will not see [the specifics], but it is certainly implied what he is doing.”

Others said the famous “hair gel” scene is also in the movie, although slightly altered.

In addition, much of the film’s lowbrow physical comedy, including a moment when the Stiller character has a painful accident with his zipper, will remain intact, the executive said.

“It’s still all very funny,” said the executive.

* “There’s Something About Mary” airs tonight on Fox at 8. The film has been rated TV-14 (parents strongly cautioned).