Damage Control, MTV Style (MTV takes "incriminating" stories off their web site)

Ramblings' Journal | 2.2.04 | Michael King

[mhking]

MTV tries it's hand at damage control, but fails miserably

MTV has rather deftly changed it's text on it's Super Bowl page from the text originally up there (and touted by news programs and websites everywhere:

Janet Jackson Got Nasty at the MTV-Produced Super Bowl Halftime Show

Jaws across the country hit the carpet at exactly the same time. You know what we're talking about...Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake and a kinky finale that rocked the Super Bowl to its core. P. Diddy, Kid Rock, & Nelly rounded out the halftime show in the midst of the greatest game on earth. MTV was Super Bowl central, so armchair quarterbacks, fair weather fanatics and fans of Janet Jackson and her pasties were definitely in the right place. So strap on those pads, keep your head down and get the full recap of The AOL Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show produced by MTV.

They've replaced the text with the more pedestrian and contrite:

The tearing of Janet Jackson's costume was unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional and was inconsistent with assurances we had about the content of the performance. MTV regrets this incident occurred and we apologize to anyone who was offended by it.

They've also removed the initial press release from their site (the one that touted Janet's "shocking moments"). Of course, anyone who knows how to use Google can find it in their cache.

FCC Chairman Michael Powell is understandably outraged, and has demanded an investigation into the incident.

I can't figure out who would be fined though. All the CBS stations? Of course not - none of them knew what was coming. The CBS O&O's? I'm sure the same thing applies there. Network brass? Possibly. I'm sure they knew what was coming. MTV? Works for me. Janet and Justin? Also makes sense. If I were a local official in Houston, you can bet I'd look seriously into whether any local obscenity ordinances were violated by the pair.

After all, once the smoke clears, Janet, I'm sure, will be happy with the free exposure (pun not intended) for her new CD, due to come out the end of March.

Producer Dallas Austin was quoted recently as saying about Janet's new album:

"To me, this is her Dirty Mind," Austin explained, referring to the Prince album that established him as a hormonally charged pop star. "It's a really sexy record, but not in a sensual way. It's bold, it's fun, it's really positive. Nobody's sad, nobody's mad. It's just really fun songs where she happens to be talking frankly about sex."

I'm sure Clear Channel is happy - they're the most likely candidate to replace MTV as producer of the halftime show for next year's Super Bowl in Jacksonville.

[GLDNGUN]

No, I don't recall seeing Fox running ads that showed nipples, but I could be wrong. If so, I agree that it was totally inappropriate.

I would also agree that the NFL is not at the top of the list of guilty parties, but it's on the list. Yes, they had a contract with CBS, but the NFL is ultimately responsible. I'm not suggesting they approved of it beforehand or now, but they should have had better oversight. Obviously, CBS and MTV carry most of the blame.

No, it's not the downfall of the republic, but what is? Nothing by itself, but many people are simply sick and tired of watching our culture being degraded. Maybe you aren't. To each his own.

[Nick Danger]

A long read, but worth it. Thanks.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Oh, my goodness gracious. That was brilliant. As good as anything Peggy Noonan every wrote.

(Are you Peggy Noonan?)

[solitas]

Bring back "Night Flight," "Midnight Special," &/or Don Kirschner's (spelling?) "Rock Concert."

OMG! I_never_missed them! Thanks for triggering all kinds of good memories. :)

[Nick Danger]

As good as anything Peggy Noonan every wrote.

Now that was a compliment. Thank you.

[Fenris6]

"Yes, they had a contract with CBS, but the NFL is ultimately responsible."

The NFL needs to state publicly that Viacom will never again be entrusted with any NFL venue. No seasonal games on CBS, no merchandising, etc.

[theDentist]

I'm not a football fan? If that's what you discern from but a few lines of my posts, then boy did you ever get it wrong. Talk about jumping to a wrong conclusion. You could be a Dem troll with thinking like that.

And I stick by it; behind doors, MTV, NFL, and CBS are absolutely ecstatic. This is more free press than they ever expected. Sure, the NFL would prefer everyone be standing about the watercoolers talking about the tieing the game by Proehl (just as he did 2 years ago), and that Vinatieri then walked on and kicked in the winning points (just as he did 2 years ago), but they also know that now no one will miss the Pro Bowl, and that next season will be a winner, and those Superbowl tickets will sell for an even higher price.

Sex sells. Always has, always will. Good press and bad press generates interest, and that interest is what marketers want to capture. And right now, this makes them more competitive. Bids for next year's Superbowl will be all the higher.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

I thought what you wrote was a marvelous use of "word pictures" -- tying this whole incident to something we can all relate to -- being on a dead end road.

[GOPJ]

Maybe the eternal teenagers who run MTV/Viacom lack insight into grown-ups. Grown men don't watch soft-core porn/whores with their mothers, wives, and children in the room.

Talk about more money than brains...

[GOPJ]

Humbold, are you a liberal?

Maybe the eternal teenagers who run MTV/Viacom lack insight into grown-ups. Grown up men don't watch soft-core porn/whores with their mothers, wives, and children in the room.

Talk about more money than brains...

[RJayneJ]

Thanks for the nomination! };^D)

Essay Of The Week

[Trajan88]

Night Flight... http://www.night-flight.tk/

Midnight Special... http://www.tvclassics.com/mdsp.htm

Don Kirshner's Rock Concert... http://www.jumptheshark.com/d/donkirshner.htm

Check out some of the Van Halen video action telecast via DKRC... http://www.van-halen.com/newsite/videos.html

Trajan88... Rock, be rocked, or step aside (a-la Z-Rock).