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Internal Viacom Memo on Super Bowl Halftime
Viacom ^
| February 03, 2004
| Mel Karmazin, Viacom
Posted on 02/04/2004 1:49:01 PM PST by IonInsights
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To: TBall
Absolutely, I took my lunch break to watch the darn halftime. I kept thinking gee this is awful.
21
posted on
02/04/2004 2:16:47 PM PST
by
mel
To: reed_inthe_wind
Its MTVs job to deliver the next generation of viewers.Well this time they went too far, as these types always do. I bet my bottom dollar that even most of the young viewers in the audience were appalled. Otherwise, why all of the handwringing at Viacom? They're obviously getting negative feedback from even the targeted audience.
They just don't get that times they are a-changing.
To: IonInsights
To reinforce CBS' commitment to "standards," the FCC oughta fine them $10,000,000 or so. More than a few heads should roll over this, too. MTV should also be banned from participating in any live television events for the next two years.
To: EarlyBird
I've been trying to figure out the demographics of the halftime show. It was obviously aimed at the 12 - 18-year old group, which seems like a strange target.
Maybe this is the explanation - delivering the next generation of viewers.
(And I don't really think that the members of the targeted demographic group were in the least bit appalled. What they saw at the SuperBowl show was the same that they see everyday on MTV.)
But, life is a cabaret, old chum....
24
posted on
02/04/2004 2:26:08 PM PST
by
bagman
To: TommyDale
"How convenient for them to post it on a site called "Internal Memos". This is total B.S. and everyone knows it."
Bingo. All this means is that someone at Viacom finally woke up and put a PR expert on this. Note the leverage words in the memo - its designed to soothe public outrage, not inform internal employees. Its more spin.
We're not buying it. Death to Viacom. Death to CBS. Death to MTV.
25
posted on
02/04/2004 2:33:26 PM PST
by
Fenris6
To: IonInsights
Yeah, Mel...sure. It was ONLY Ms. Jackson who knew about this huh....what about the SEAMSTRESS who made the BREAKAWAY Bodice.....who ORDERED that???
Hey Mel.....we all don't have the IQ of a Democrat.
To: bagman
What they saw at the SuperBowl show was the same that they see everyday on MTV.I dunno, maybe I'm too optimistic, but I gotta believe that there is still a large -- and growing -- number of young people who don't watch MTV, and that's more likely the type of kids who were watching the Super Bowl. I wonder how many I-want-my-MTV kids even bothered to watch the game?
Maybe the explanation is that MTV is actually losing viewership and this was a desperate -- and failed -- attempt to attract more numbers. One can only hope.
To: IonInsights
Second, in addition to our longstanding policy to employ audio delete technology on live entertainment broadcasts, we will begin a video delete capability with the February 8 broadcast of the Grammy Awards on CBS. We believe that this new procedure will allow us to keep unplanned and unscripted-accidental or otherwise-incidents from occurring in the future.Interesting, if true. The obviously scripted breast flashing becomes nice cover to change broadcasting. If somebody says or does something the "minders" don't like, it can go down the memory hole before the sheep get to see it...IOW, no more "live" television.
28
posted on
02/04/2004 2:42:10 PM PST
by
JOAT
To: IonInsights
This "memo" is so amateurish that is raises serious questions about the integrity, intelligence and maturity of the entire Viacome/CBS/MTV management team.
"Ms. Jackson's unrehearsed, unplanned and unapproved display..."
Janet "the slut" had already admitted that she had PLANNED the stunt --- as obviously did her costume designer and nipple decorator..
"We have established that no one in our company was aware in advance of any plan to rip Ms. Jackson's clothing."
I doubt there is any evidence of a "rip"....that "costume" was designed to come apart on cue.
"CBS and MTV reviewed all planned aspects of the performances in detail and in advance........Executives from MTV, CBS and the NFL attended all rehearsals and nothing like this was included in the show,"
They ADMIT approval of the entire degrading, inappropriate and talentless performance - excluding the "flash"!
"..to be sure that the standards of our networks are upheld and that what is presented is appropriate for the intended audience."
Perhaps it would be interesting to learn from these "executives" - exactly WHO IS THE INTENDED AUDIENCE..
That should be interesting!
The writer of this childish CYOA memo - should be fired immediately.
It simply doesn't pass the smell test....It actually makes them look worse - and agitates me even more.
Semper Fi
29
posted on
02/04/2004 2:42:30 PM PST
by
river rat
(Militant Islam is a cult, flirting with extinction)
To: Billthedrill
"...and a titter ran through the crowd"
30
posted on
02/04/2004 2:43:09 PM PST
by
ErnBatavia
(Some days you're the windshield; some days you're the bug)
To: IonInsights
I have a feeling this will have the same effect the so-called V chip philoosphy may eventually bring about. That is, now that "you parents" have the V chip capability, its up to you to buy it, activate it and then we can say anything "we dam* well please." With the video clip capability, the so-called live entertainers will be more inclined to say or do whatever they want and test if the producer is quick on the draw.
31
posted on
02/04/2004 2:43:54 PM PST
by
tang-soo
To: IonInsights
bfl for the nfl
32
posted on
02/04/2004 2:44:07 PM PST
by
oyez
To: TommyDale
I'm not buying their "leaked memo" either. An obvious bunch of liars, all of them. The point was made elsewhere on this thread that they must be concerned about losing even their targeted audience, if they're putting out stuff like this obviously transparent memo.
33
posted on
02/04/2004 2:44:59 PM PST
by
Judith Anne
(Send a message to the Democrat traitors--ROCKEFELLER MUST RESIGN!)
To: IonInsights
First let me say that everyone at Viacom, CBS and MTV...Those who speak for "everyone" are generally full of it.
34
posted on
02/04/2004 2:45:03 PM PST
by
PRND21
To: TommyDale
They knew this would make it into the press, no matter how you slice it. It was sent out to "all Viacom employees."
Which was of course quickly emailed to all the friends, cousins, grandmas, etc. of ALL Viacom employees in addition to the press.
They might as well have called it a press release.
This is very transparent damage control.
35
posted on
02/04/2004 2:49:58 PM PST
by
SerpentDove
(Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Don't louse it up.)
To: IonInsights
TO: All employees at Viacom/CBS
FROM: Damage Control/Ministry of Propaganda
RE: Super Bowl debacle
All employees should be aware that we have covered our butts on this blunder, and that we've strongarmed Janet Jackson -- a second-rate nobody whose career is in mothballs -- into taking the bullet for us. You might have seen our babble-laden press release about how shocked we were and all that blah. That's our official story and we're sticking with it.
To prevent similar embarrassments in the future, the following programs are to be implemented immediately:
First, we are redoubling our already thorough oversight of all live performances -- to be sure that the standards of our networks are upheld and that what is presented is appropriate for the intended audience. Since the standards of our network are nonexistent, and we don't know bupkus about our audience, this is nothing but empty posturing. But it sounds good.
Second, we are insisting that any future productions of soft-core porn we air must be thoroughly screened in advance. Our executives must sleep with the featured performers and give them an official stamp of approval before said performers will be allowed to disrobe or copulate on stage. The only exception will be a song-and-dance number by Rosie O'Donnell.
Thank you for your continued discretion in these matters as we plumb the depths of depravity for more crud to auger into America's living rooms. With your support, we will make enough money to buy a small country and then we can make any kind of movies and shows we want nyah nyah nyah!
36
posted on
02/04/2004 3:10:08 PM PST
by
IronJack
To: IonInsights
Other aspects and segments of the half time show are being debated and criticizedMeaning the 24 minutes of soft porn, debauchery, simulated sex, smut lyrics, crotch fondling, and garter belts that preceded Janet's breast?
37
posted on
02/04/2004 3:16:18 PM PST
by
angkor
To: angkor
Extacly what "standards" are they referring too?
38
posted on
02/04/2004 3:20:20 PM PST
by
skyman
To: IonInsights
We also conducted an investigation and are satisfied that we handled the creation and staging of the half time show responsibly and that both CBS and MTV reviewed all planned aspects of the performances in detail and in advance. Gee, what a surprise!
To: coloradan; Billthedrill
"Thanks for keeping us abreast of the situation." "And thanks for the mammaries."
Udderly sophomoric!
40
posted on
02/04/2004 3:27:48 PM PST
by
gorush
(Tag! You're it!)
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