ABC edits Fox News out of 'Boston Legal'

AP ^ | 3/11/05 | Lynn Elber

[advance_copy]

When the ABC drama "Boston Legal" takes on the issue of alleged media bias in Sunday's episode, it doesn't name names - specifically Fox News Channel.

In the original script, a high school principal blocks Fox News from being aired on campus television sets because he considers the channel biased and inflammatory, according to the network.

But ABC asked executive producer and writer David E. Kelley to remove references to Fox; instead, there is criticism of TV news in general and one network, which is unidentified, in particular.

"We did make some changes to the script per ABC's request, but managed to tell the same story in what we believe is an even more subversive and provocative way," Kelley spokeswoman Stacey Luchs said Thursday.

The revision represents business as usual, the network said in a statement Thursday.

"While real-life situations are often used as original inspiration for fictionalized programming story lines, it is a long-standing industrywide practice not to use real people or actual events," ABC said.

[advance_copy]

ABC makes a show about media bias and points their finger at Fox News. Doesn't George Stephanopolous host their Sunday morning show? Peter Jennings anyone?

[gop_gene]

I find it very interesting how all these looney liberals (repeating myself there) get all hot and bothered about Fox when talking about (supposedly conservative) media bias, but they never (if they do I sure missed it) mention any other network. Their silence is very telling and means only one thing by inference--that the rest are all left-wing (duh).

It's really something how they can't stand just one network bucking the system when they have all the rest.

[wildwood]

it's also interesting how they ignore all the studies that show that FOX represents both sides better than any other network...of course, the cnn bias is non-existent....maybe that's why nobody watches it anymore....hmmm....

[Caipirabob]

The scary thing for them is that had they actually allowed the show to portray "FOX NEWS" their ratings would have increased...

[Waco]

Are they saying "Fox is biased, but not like we're biased, so fox is biased and we're not?" What idiots. What idiots they take us to be.

[silent_jonny]

"Boston Legal" -- is that show still on? I've seen it exactly once and that was by accident.

[mewzilla]

Gee, no cries of Censorship!!! Go figure.

[freedomfiter2]

In the original script, a high school principal blocks Fox News from being aired on campus television sets because he considers the channel biased and inflammatory, according to the network.

These libs don't know what a conservative news channel is like. Fox is only conservative relative to the others.

[kcvl]

It's only censorship if you are silencing liberals. You silly person. lol!

[dennisw]

The dinosaur media has the same pea brain that the 100 ton brontosaurus had

[isthisnickcool]

In one episode of Boston Legal William Shatner who is amazing playing the lawyer "Denny Crane" says something like "For answers first I look to the Lord then FOX news".

Shatner is hilarious playing the Denny Crane character. A character that's very "conservative" for regular TV.

Boston Legal one of the few regular network shows I'll watch.

[goldstategop]

LOL! Denny Crane says Fox News is one of the places you need to look for answers sometimes. No wonder ABC is royally pissed off. Now David Kelley has a reputation as a liberal but he doesn't like being told what to write. There are wonderful things in Boston Legal. And I like hearing "Denny Crane!"

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[drjimmy]

There are wonderful things in Boston Legal.

I agree wholeheartedly. While most of David E. Kelly's shows appear liberal on the surface, they tweak liberals all the time. And if people here bothered to read the article, they would see that Kelley's script for this episode is tweaking liberal censorship.

Of course, you'll have to take my opinions with a grain of salt since I also enjoy watching Desperate Housewives (and not just to see Eva Longoria). I won't go so far as claiming the show to be conservative, but a lot of conservative values are expressed through (some of) the characters

[JZelle]

Of course the conservative Denny Crane is portrayed as the weird guy with issues.

[metesky]

"We did make some changes to the script per ABC's request, but managed to tell the same story in what we believe is an even more subversive and provocative way," Kelley spokeswoman Stacey Luchs said Thursday.

Subversive? You got some 'splainin' to do Kelly.

[outfield]

This is absurd. More attacks from elite liberal media.

[isthisnickcool]

Of course the conservative Denny Crane is portrayed as the weird guy with issues.

Who's brilliant at what he does. Denny and I have a lot in common:)

[TigerTale]

ABC is under no obligation to advertise for the competition. I expect I would have removed any reference to other real-life networks, as well.

[nutmeg]

FoxFan ping!

Related thread:
ABC Writes Out Fox (References to Fox News deleted from "Boston Legal")

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