TV Stations Cancel 'Saving Private Ryan'

FNC ^ | 11-11-04 | Associated Press

[ConYoungBlack]

TV Stations Cancel 'Saving Private Ryan

NEW YORK — Several ABC (search) affiliates have announced that they won't take part in the network's Veterans Day (search) airing of "Saving Private Ryan," (search) saying the acclaimed film's violence and language could draw sanctions from the Federal Communications Commission (search).

Stations replacing the movie with other programming Thursday include Cox Television-owned stations in Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C., three Midwest stations owned by Citadel Communications.

"Under strict interpretation of the rules, we can't run that programming before 10 p.m.," said Ray Cole, president of Citadel, which owns WOI-TV in Des Moines, KCAU-TV in Sioux City and KLKN-TV in Lincoln, Neb.

The Oscar-winning film includes a violent depiction of the D-Day invasion and profanity.

[ConYoungBlack]

This is hysterical. ABC has suddenly found a moral compass in the last 24 hours for what is in its programmming offerings. It couldn't just be that the lefties at that station abhor any depiction of war as "honorable" or "patriotic". Nope they look on any depiction of America at war as contemptable and unsettling. Lets face it, it offends their sensibilities. Yes sir, it's those sixty year old executives again. The that were "freed" back in 1967 and now hold positions of power in corporations.

I find their reasoning shallow, seeing as though they had no problem showing T2, Rambo, and Predator in the last couple of years. God forbid that we actually show a film like this on "Veterans Day". My God, that WW2 generation is dying off too fast, I am already starting to miss the impact and number of voices of the great men and women from that generation. They may be the last true American generation. They survived the depression, they rebuilt the country, and then went out to fight a war, what a sacrifice they made for America. We owe them, but I ramble on and on and digress, so here is the article..............

[GrandEagle]

I have the film on DVD, and think it is great. I would, however, not want it aired uncut on TV unless it was a pay channel.

[Dr. Frank fan]

This is nothing but an instigating publicity stunt. The idea that FCC would fine a TV Station for showing Saving Private Ryan is complete and utter nonsense. And the guy knows it.

All he (Cole) is trying to do is make people THINK that the FCC would fine him for showing Saving Private Ryan, because he wants to affect the political situation so that people clamor for the FCC to tone it down.

Again: it's a phony stunt. People who take this at face value are utterly naive.

[silent_jonny]

ABC's real problem may be that Saving Private Ryan depicts American soldiers behaving bravely and nobly--a direct contradiction to what they've been preaching for the past 35 years.

[silent_jonny]

I have the film on DVD, and think it is great. I would, however, not want it aired uncut on TV unless it was a pay channel.

But ABC has aired it at least twice already, uncut and with limited commercial interruption.

[Who dat?]

They've been advertising on the radio that they're showing it here (Orange County, CA) all day long...

[ConYoungBlack]

I disagree. It's about time we started having an honest look at what war is to Americans. It is hell and it is gruesome, and it is also honorable and noble. We have selectively steralized a generation. t is gross and hyoer-graphic when it offends the sensibilities of those with a liberal agenda, but those same decision makers have no problem shoving homosexuality, hedonism, and debauchery down our throat ad nauseum.

[sharktrager]

The fact is, ABC is right to make this point. The FCC arbitrarily fines for certain words? That is not what America is supposed to be about.

Either the words are allowed, or they are not. But to have some bureaucrat decide is not what I think the Founding Fathers had in mind.

[nosofar]

I would, however, not want it aired uncut on TV unless it was a pay channel.

That's just it. ABC knows perfectly well how to edit a movie so it would conform to FCC regulations.

[GrandEagle]

But ABC has aired it at least twice already, uncut and with limited commercial interruption.
Not in dispute. But as they say "Past performance does not..."
I have no doubt that this is just to make a point, but this time I agree.

[silent_jonny]

Exactly.

[vpintheak]

Absolutely 100% correct!

[Dr. Frank fan]

But ABC has aired it at least twice already, uncut and with limited commercial interruption.

Right. Which shows you that this is a stunt. There is no serious probability that showing this film would bring a fine, but Mr. Cole wants to scare the public into thinking that there is. It's a tactical move to undermine support for the FCC. It's the equivalent of someone crying "police brutality" when there was none.

[Rakkasan1]

you're correct.
this film already been aired on TV several times in prior years and the FCC had a total of one complaint.
Comparing this to a boob showing a boob on TV is pretty silly. One was unannounced and surprise on the unsuspecting
viewing public. The other is a known commodity with a disclaimer shown prior to broadcast.

[Owen]

It shouldn't be aired or watched, period, regardless of content.

Unless you enjoy sending money to Spielberg so he can donate it to liberal causes, and Clinton's legal defense. If so, why bother with a film conduit? Why not just write a check directly to Clinton?

[Dr. Frank fan]

The fact is, ABC is right to make this point. The FCC arbitrarily fines for certain words? That is not what America is supposed to be about.

I tend to agree that arbitrary fines for certain words is not the way to go, but that doesn't mean this was likely to happen had they shown SPR. Nobody seriously believes that SPR would have brought a fine. You used the phrase "make a point"; well that's what I'm saying, this station is simply trying to make a point by engaging in a stunt.

There is no substance behind the stunt however. Again, there was no plausible threat of fine for showing SPR and to try to get the public to think that there was is manipulative and dishonest.

[GrandEagle]

Your point is well taken, but again, on open reception , prime time TV, my children should be able to walk through the living room without ear plugs and blindfolds.
We very carefully monitor the very short time our children are allowed to watch TV.
We can not say that we object to such profane language, unless I want to watch it. Either we have a standard or we don't.

[jimbergin]

ABC says that its contract with Spielberg does not allow for editing. Also ABC is not who is not showing it. Some of its affiliates are not.

[silent_jonny]

I wish a network would have the stones to show Saving Private Ryan and Black Hawk Down, back-to-back and unedited.

[zoobee]

This is a rough movie. I watched the first half hour and that's all I could watch. Brutal.