WASHINGTON - The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a $1.4 million fine against 52 ABC Television Network stations over a 2003 broadcast of cop drama NYPD Blue.
The fine is for a scene where a boy surprises a woman as she prepares to take a shower. The scene depicted "multiple, close-up views" of the woman's "nude buttocks" according to an agency order issued late Friday.
ABC is owned by the Walt Disney Co. The fines were issued against 52 stations either owned by or affiliated with the network.
FCC's definition of indecent content requires that the broadcast "depicts or describes sexual or excretory activities" in a "patently offensive way" and is aired between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
The agency said the show was indecent because "it depicts sexual organs and excretory organs — specifically an adult woman's buttocks."
The agency rejected the network's argument that "the buttocks are not a sexual organ."
Ell Oh-Fucking Ell
I can just see a stone-faced network spokesperson blankly saying "Buttcheeks are not a sexual organ." as the press corps stifles laughter.
Seriously, are we reverting to the victorian era? Are ankles to be next on the list of OMFG DONT SHOWING THAT LOL? What if, during the Superbowl, one player slaps the other players sexual and excretory organs?! IMAGINE THE FINES!!!
Chardok wrote:The agency rejected the network's argument that "the buttocks are not a sexual organ."
The FCC is a government agency, IE, they're run by the government. A lot of people in government are closeted gay republicans.
It logically follows that, to them, the buttocks are a sexual organ.
Gaian Paradigm: Because not all fantasy has to be childish crap. Ephemeral Pie: Because not all role-playing has to be shallow. My art: Because not all DA users are talentless emo twits. "Phant, quit abusing the He-Wench before he turns you into a caged bitch at a Ren Fair and lets the tourists toss half munched turkey legs at your backside." -Mr. Coffee
A nice ass is damn sexy. Not that they aren't being prudish and Victorian, just saying.
Perhaps if the definition of "indecency" said something along the lines of "arouse sexual feelings" then this would be a slam-dunk case. I think (or hope at least) they'll fail.
Fingers and palms are key elements in handjobs. Therefore, All close up shots of hands are depicting sexual organs and must be eliminated from television! Also under consideration for FCC regulation are close up shots of mouths or tube socks.
"If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little." -George Carlin (1937-2008)
"Have some of you Americans actually seen Football? Of course there are 0-0 draws but that doesn't make them any less exciting." -Dr Roberts, with quite possibly the dumbest thing ever said in 10 years of SDNet.
SancheztheWhaler wrote:Charlotte Ross has a very nice ass... now if it had been Dennis Franz's ass, then absolutely fine the shit out of ABC.
That already happened.
"If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little." -George Carlin (1937-2008)
"Have some of you Americans actually seen Football? Of course there are 0-0 draws but that doesn't make them any less exciting." -Dr Roberts, with quite possibly the dumbest thing ever said in 10 years of SDNet.
Charlotte Ross has a very nice ass... now if it had been Dennis Franz's ass, then absolutely fine the shit out of ABC.
Yes. Even as a gay man I object.
You have to realize that most Christian "moral values" behaviour is not really about "protecting" anyone; it's about their desire to send a continual stream of messages of condemnation towards people whose existence offends them. - Darth Wong alias Mike Wong
"There is nothing wrong with being ignorant. However, there is something very wrong with not choosing to exchange ignorance for knowledge when the opportunity presents itself."
"it depicts sexual organs and excretory organs — specifically an adult woman's buttocks."
"Excretory organs"? I'm pretty sure my nose is an organ that excretes stuff. As is my skin, come to think of it. What about tearducts? Are they dirty too?
Bounty wrote:["Excretory organs"? I'm pretty sure my nose is an organ that excretes stuff. As is my skin, come to think of it. What about tearducts? Are they dirty too?
Darth Wong on Strollers vs. Assholes: "There were days when I wished that my stroller had weapons on it." wilfulton on Bible genetics: "If two screaming lunatics copulate in front of another screaming lunatic, the result will be yet another screaming lunatic. " SirNitram: "The nation of France is a theory, not a fact. It should therefore be approached with an open mind, and critically debated and considered."
Cornivore! | BAN-WATCH CANE: XVII | WWJDFAKB? - What Would Jesus Do... For a Klondike Bar? | Evil Bayesian Conspiracy
Darth Wong on Strollers vs. Assholes: "There were days when I wished that my stroller had weapons on it." wilfulton on Bible genetics: "If two screaming lunatics copulate in front of another screaming lunatic, the result will be yet another screaming lunatic. " SirNitram: "The nation of France is a theory, not a fact. It should therefore be approached with an open mind, and critically debated and considered."
Cornivore! | BAN-WATCH CANE: XVII | WWJDFAKB? - What Would Jesus Do... For a Klondike Bar? | Evil Bayesian Conspiracy
The mind doth boggle. Its no damn wonder why quite a few of our shows never get over there. I can only assume Secret Diary of a Call Girl would cause a few heart attacks if showed sometime over there.
EBC: Northeners, Huh! What are they good for?! Absolutely nothing!
Cybertron, Justice league...MM, HAB SDN City Watch: Sergeant Detritus
Days Unstabbed, Unabused, Unassualted and Unwavedatwithabutchersknife: 0
Dartzap wrote:The mind doth boggle. Its no damn wonder why quite a few of our shows never get over there. I can only assume Secret Diary of a Call Girl would cause a few heart attacks if showed sometime over there.
Canada doesn't seem to mind, though it's on Smutcase. It's actually pretty tame, although I almost blew my water across the room in the first episode when she blows the guy. Couldn't stop laughing.
M1891/30: A bad day on the range is better then a good day at work.
Dartzap wrote:The mind doth boggle. Its no damn wonder why quite a few of our shows never get over there. I can only assume Secret Diary of a Call Girl would cause a few heart attacks if showed sometime over there.
Canada doesn't seem to mind, though it's on Smutcase. It's actually pretty tame, although I almost blew my water across the room in the first episode when she blows the guy. Couldn't stop laughing.
Oh yes, its assuredly very tame, but if the sight of a bare arse gets them baying for blood, what would a show which has (in a very tame way) a blow job? I have to admit, it was a funny comedy, even if it was not actually intended to be...
EBC: Northeners, Huh! What are they good for?! Absolutely nothing!
Cybertron, Justice league...MM, HAB SDN City Watch: Sergeant Detritus
Days Unstabbed, Unabused, Unassualted and Unwavedatwithabutchersknife: 0
Dartzap wrote:
Oh yes, its assuredly very tame, but if the sight of a bare arse gets them baying for blood, what would a show which has (in a very tame way) a blow job? I have to admit, it was a funny comedy, even if it was not actually intended to be...
I hear the Yanks have a channel where they can show this stuff late at night (cinemax or showtime, one of the two). But it's funny that not only has the FCC gone nuts since the nipple slip, they've gone so nuts that they are retroactively pursuing stuff.
M1891/30: A bad day on the range is better then a good day at work.
Cpl Kendall wrote:I hear the Yanks have a channel where they can show this stuff late at night (cinemax or showtime, one of the two). But it's funny that not only has the FCC gone nuts since the nipple slip, they've gone so nuts that they are retroactively pursuing stuff.
I can buy hardcore porn via PPV via Comcast (big cable company) 24 hours a day with no problem that makes the stuff on Cinemax look tame. As far as the FCC is concerned (I believe), the issue is nudity on free, broadcast TV.
I think people still occasionally complain when nudity is shown on PBS (native nudity, you know, topless villagers in Africa or somewhere), but there is little of that in my part of the country. The TV stations around here always show "controversial" episodes, but there are so,e places in the US that think nothing of holding back such an episode. A few prudes get bothered and no one gets to see it.
Reminds me of a JAG episode that was filmed at Bondi Beach (a nude part of said beach) where a scene was filmed from three angles... the US got to see only bare shoulders, Another shot was from three-quarter rear to show shape of nude boob and the last shot from square on the front.. I believe Canada and Australia got the full frontal shot.
All people are equal but some people are more equal than others.
It might be amusing to see the percentage of people who complain to the FCC about excessive violence as compared to those who whine about nudity or sexual conduct. True, violence isn't "banned" like nudity is, but I wonder what is more detrimental to children?
FSTargetDrone wrote:It might be amusing to see the percentage of people who complain to the FCC about excessive violence as compared to those who whine about nudity or sexual conduct. True, violence isn't "banned" like nudity is, but I wonder what is more detrimental to children?
Let's put it this way: people aren't even allowed to show sexual organs on broadcast TV in the US. They don't just ban the display of sex itself; they ban the display of the things you use to have sex, even if all you're doing is washing them with soap.
If they were as strict with violence, then it would be illegal to show a gun on TV, regardless of whether it's being fired.
"It's not evil for God to do it. Or for someone to do it at God's command."- Jonathan Boyd on baby-killing
"you guys are fascinated with the use of those "rules of logic" to the extent that you don't really want to discussus anything."- GC
"I do not believe Russian Roulette is a stupid act" - Embracer of Darkness
"Viagra commercials appear to save lives" - tharkûn on US health care.
By the way, wasn't NYPD Blue routinely shown at 10 pm?
Because the article says:
FCC's definition of indecent content requires that the broadcast "depicts or describes sexual or excretory activities" in a "patently offensive way" and is aired between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Is this saying up to 10:00 pm, or through 10:00 pm (to 11:00 pm)?
If it's the former, as suggested by "between," then what is the problem?
Let's put it this way: people aren't even allowed to show sexual organs on broadcast TV in the US. They don't just ban the display of sex itself; they ban the display of the things you use to have sex, even if all you're doing is washing them with soap.
I know, eh? What the fuck is up with this retarded ethical system that finds brains being splattered perfectly ok, but a glimpse of a cock an absolute mental abomination?
You have to realize that most Christian "moral values" behaviour is not really about "protecting" anyone; it's about their desire to send a continual stream of messages of condemnation towards people whose existence offends them. - Darth Wong alias Mike Wong
"There is nothing wrong with being ignorant. However, there is something very wrong with not choosing to exchange ignorance for knowledge when the opportunity presents itself."
"
I have to admit, it was a funny comedy, even if it was not actually intended to be...
