foul language and nudity

[bb]

I heard on the radio yesterday that the FCC has granted an OK to the broadcast networks and radio stations that beginning this fall they can air shows with nudity and foul language. I dont mean a scene of someones butt like NYPD Blue or words like "hell" or "damn" but scenes of bare breasts and words that are taboo like the "f" word for example. The radio said that it was CBS that called for the rules to be relaxed. Anybody else heard this? Reason being is that the main nets are losing viewers to channels like HBO, Showtime, ect thanks to shows like Sopranos, OZ, Queer as Folk, Chris Issak, and Sex in the City.

If it is I dont get it. Doesnt CBS own HBO?
If thats true then whats the point?
Also what about the public cry that regular tv has enough sex, violence, and foul words?
If the nets do start doing airing more dirtier shows I wonder how long will it be before some shows are banned in some parts of the country. For example I have been told that Queer is Folk is banned in some parts of the south though it IS on a cable channel.

I still remember when Soap was banned in Baltimore when it first aired. " awful dirty trash" was what WJZ-TV called it back in the 70s.

My have times changed!!!

[ThomasE]

I think that is soooo crappy! Now we know TV has hit rock bottom. I even have an issue with shows like NYPD blue airing someone's butt. Back in the 50's Lucy could not use the word "pregnant". We hear all this stuff about "well if you don't like it, turn it off". That is starting to annoy me some. People turn on the TV to get laughs and entertainment.

[This message has been edited by ThomasE (edited 09-22-2001).]

[twinkle44301]

I hadn't heard this, but nothing surprises me these days.

[James]

Join the fight against this by becoming a member of the Parents Television Council! Their website is http://www.parentstv.org and you can write to them for membership at the following address:

Parents Television Council
707 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1950
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 629-9255

[Truth]

well one of PTC's Main goals is to shut down the WWF, and im a wwf fan so forget it....

[edoug]

It's not going to be as bad a you think. There will probably never be nudity or strong language on any network sitcom, atleast not for a long time. The networks wouldn't want to offend a large group of people so they would use it only sparingly and the companies that produce shows don't want them to be to racy because they won't be able to syndicate them. I know NYPD Blue is in syndication but it's only on after 11 PM on weekends in most places and you can't make as much money that way. Money is the bottom line. If you don't watch they don't make money.

[Sean Snow]

Also, if these really do go in effect, it'll prob. be in dramas. If they're in sitcoms, then it's sad that the writer's can't get viewers for the laughs, not the scenes!

[Jimbo]

I have also heard these reports, and it doesn't surprise me one bit. Television has been going deeper and deeper into the sewer each year. What really gets me is the fact that it is so unnecessary - it takes no writing or acting talent to produce a show the relies primarily on nudity and vulgarity. What does take real talent and creativity is when you produce a show with scripts that do not depend on such tasteless and juvenile antics as you see on "Friends" or "The Drew Carey Show". Take a look at some of the all-time classics: The Honeymooners, I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and The Bob Newhart Show. None of these programs engaged in the practice of using nudity or obscenity-filled scripts. If you want a more recent example of a quality show on the order of the classics I just mentioned, check out "Home Improvement". It can and has been done. Finally, I take issue with what Jwillhight said above, when he stated the following: "well one of PTC's Main goals is to shut down the WWF, and im a wwf fan so forget it....". I too, used to be a WWF fan. I began to support the PTC's efforts against them when I started to attend WWF cards in my area, and heard 8 and 9 year old children in the arena shouting out the same obscenities, and using the same hand gestures, that they saw the wrestlers using on TV. Also, there have been a number of tragic incidents where young children have been seriously hurt, and in some cases even killed, by other kids imitating moves they saw on WWF wrestling programs. If you are that short-sighted and selfish that you can't see the influence this kind of behavior has on young children, then I feel sorry for you. I have sent donations to the PTC in the past, and will continue to do so in the future.

[dwayne]

Cable systems down south block the showing of Queer as Folk to its viewers? I have to wonder about that one.

I can see over the air tv stations block a certain show for various reasons. Many ABC stations in Virginia wouldnt carry NYPD Blue when it first came out, even in Norfolk which is a rather good sized tv market ( though the "ban" didnt last long ).

The cbs station in our nation's capitol for many years didnt show the CBS morning game shows due to them carrying a local popular talk show at 10am. As a result Press Your Luck, Child's Play were never seen in that market. Even Price is Right for the longest time was available either as channel 9 instead aired reruns of Rich Man Poor Man.

But for a show to be blocked to viewers on PAY cable, this is the first I heard. Sure shows like Chris Issak, Soul Food, and of course Queer as Folk may not be everybody's cup of tea but if I am paying Showtime, HBO, Cinemax money each month then I should have the right to see what that channel offers.

I wonder if people who pay for Showtime on these cable systems get some sort of discount?