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Stick it to ABC for its 'Housewives' towel stunt
Media Life Magazine ^ | November 17, 2004 | William L. Whitely

Posted on 11/21/2004 3:31:31 PM PST by tvn

Dear Editor:

The question is not who was hurt by Monday Night Football's sexploitation spot ("Don't cry in your towel for the NFL"), but rather who should be hurt. The answer is definitely ABC.

By your rendition of the events, ABC misled the NFL with respect to the contents of the intro. It may also have misled the Eagles. The network's objective was solely to use the R-rated spot to boost ratings of the "MNF" and "Desperate Housewives."

As a result of such conduct, the NFL should clearly punish ABC by awarding its "MNF" contract to NBC, which reportedly is in the hunt to get back into the professional football biz. For its part, NBC so far has remained above the battle over indecent programming.

The NFL can therefore show its support for responsible programming by moving the "MNF" franchise to the peacock network. There's another decided advantage to such a move. It will also limit the ABC-ESPN ever-growing sports rights monopoly, which some observers are finding troubling.

William L. Whitely

Chairman, Media Ethics Project, New York City


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: abc; fcc; michaelpowell; mnf; nfl
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And to the NFL-- CUT THE SMUT.
1 posted on 11/21/2004 3:31:32 PM PST by tvn
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To: tvn
If you punish ABC for this, then

Camera men can't film cheerleaders
Viagra advertisements have to go
Feminine hygiene products are questionable
At least half the commercials are gone.
2 posted on 11/21/2004 3:37:06 PM PST by Stratman
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To: Stratman

Was it tacky? Yes, do we need the nanny state to intervene. NO


3 posted on 11/21/2004 3:39:39 PM PST by Dozer3
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To: tvn

I can't think of one thing that I watch on ABC.


4 posted on 11/21/2004 3:41:20 PM PST by Mears
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To: Stratman

I would say "YES!" to everything you just mentioned.

Geesh, my eleven year old son and I were watching a baseball show and an ad came on for condoms! We just looked at each other like "What?!"

And speaking of all of those commercials, I will never buy Clairol's Herbal Essence shampoo or shop from the "O" overstocks.com, simple as a matter of principle.


5 posted on 11/21/2004 3:42:18 PM PST by June Cleaver (in here, Ward . . .)
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To: tvn

NBC - Nude Broad Channel. All ditzy sluts welcomed.


6 posted on 11/21/2004 3:42:27 PM PST by AmericanChef
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To: Mears

Desperate Housewives is one of my guilty pleasures. I think Terri Hatcher is really cute.


7 posted on 11/21/2004 3:42:42 PM PST by Stratman
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To: tvn
I don't like what they did, but what they want most is for their stunt to be kept in the spotlight for as long as possible. Remember the old adage that it doesn't matter what they say about you so long as they spell your name correctly. Let's not keep them in the spotlight any longer.

If anyone really wants to send a message to ABC, then watch Law & Order at 9:00 p.m. on Sundays. I'll be watching Eva, mind you, but ...

8 posted on 11/21/2004 3:44:54 PM PST by bushisdamanin04
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To: Dozer3

The members of society has an interest in the success of their society. When a business uses the public airwaves to proselytize short-term pleasure over long-term success, as NBC did recently, then there are many remedies available, including those afforded by the political will.


9 posted on 11/21/2004 3:49:04 PM PST by Cultural Jihad
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To: tvn

Actually- this didn't get NEARLY the OMG reaction that Janet Jackson's "moment" did. I think ABC had this all lined up- do the commercial..then immediately offer an apology. Simple. Free publicity=$$$


10 posted on 11/21/2004 3:50:31 PM PST by SE Mom (God Bless our troops.)
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To: Dozer3

Who in this article said anything about the state intervening?


11 posted on 11/21/2004 3:50:51 PM PST by sittnick (There's no salvation in politics.)
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To: Stratman

You damn right we should punish ABC for all those things.


12 posted on 11/21/2004 3:53:25 PM PST by Common Tator
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To: tvn

my only prob is that it wasnt Teri Hatcher. that blonde looks kinda...well, you know.


13 posted on 11/21/2004 3:55:49 PM PST by isom35
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To: Stratman

I hope to see all of those commercials gone personally. I am sick of all those you mentioned.


14 posted on 11/21/2004 3:58:50 PM PST by LowOiL (Christian and proud of it !)
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To: tvn
You can continue to get pissed off, or better yet...


15 posted on 11/21/2004 4:02:32 PM PST by Revolting cat! ("In the end, nothing explains anything!")
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To: Common Tator

What is this ABC of which you speak?


16 posted on 11/21/2004 5:11:36 PM PST by Choose Ye This Day (New DNC political slogan to win back red states: "Vote for us, you stupid morons!")
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To: tvn

I don't care that there's a naked woman on television. I care that she's MARRIED AND CHEATING, and ABC thinks that's cute.


17 posted on 11/21/2004 5:21:15 PM PST by SteveMcKing
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To: Stratman

Good. Is this a promise?


18 posted on 11/21/2004 5:22:19 PM PST by narses (Free Republic is pro-God, pro-life, pro-family + Vivo Christo Rey!)
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To: tvn; All
The outrage at ABC may be misplaced. I`m not saying there shouldn`t be a healthy bitchfest over the raciness of the piece(I don`t agree, but if it`s your cup of tea, have at it) I`ve never seen the show so can someone clear this up< does Nicolette Sheridan`s character always wear a cross on the show?

As I said, I never watch the show, there it was, a big silver cross on a chain dead center of the screen. Things like this aren`t by accident, was the piece really meant to slap the religious right directly in the face?

19 posted on 11/21/2004 5:25:45 PM PST by infidel29 (America is GREAT because she is GOOD, the moment she ceases to be GOOD, she ceases to be GREAT - B.F)
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To: Choose Ye This Day

You must think irony is done on an irony board.


20 posted on 11/21/2004 5:25:49 PM PST by Common Tator
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