Posted on 09/09/2005 2:22:11 AM PDT by Alissa
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The stars lined up for Friday's live multinetwork primetime telethon will not be censored if they make any politically tinged comments, program organizers said Thursday.
In a conference call with reporters, executive producer Joel Gallen noted that editing would occur only if obscenities accidentally were uttered. The editing would be enabled by a 30-second time delay, standard for many live programs.
"The only precautions we have right now are for language," said Gallen, who added that he does not expect any of the dozens of musicians or celebrities appearing on "Shelter From the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast" to editorialize.
Last Friday, rapper Kanye West made unscripted disparaging remarks about President Bush during a separate telethon that aired on NBC and other cable networks owned by its parent company, General Electric. West, who also is scheduled to appear on "Shelter," had his controversial remarks deleted when the benefit re-aired on the West Coast.
Gallen said that expressing political opinions has been a nonissue in discussions he had with West and everyone else scheduled to appear on "Shelter."
"I have spoken to everyone on the bill, including Kanye," he said of West, who is scheduled to perform but not speak. "Everyone knows the best way to help is to sing their song, which is reflecting their feelings, or inspiring people to call."
The six broadcast networks have designated one official from their standards and practices divisions to guide the telecast, said Gallen, who did not specify which network provided the executive.
Gallen also disclosed that the reason "Shelter" saw its original airdate -- September 6 -- scrapped in favor of Friday was in order to ensure that all arrangements pertaining to fundraising were squared away. "That's the main reason the show didn't get on the air Tuesday," he said.
The telethon benefiting the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks, which Gallen also produced, was followed by criticism that the $150 million it raised wasn't adequately handed over to its intended recipients.
Anticipating potential concerns, the program also is expected to delineate on the air exactly how the proceeds will be put to use by the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army.
"Shelter" will air from 8-9 p.m. ET (tape delayed PT/MT) on all six broadcast networks, dozens of cable networks and in more than 140 international territories. Radio and Internet outlets also will carry the broadcast.
Among the artists scheduled to appear are Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Mariah Carey, Dixie Chicks, U2 and Neil Young. The celebrity roster includes Jennifer Aniston, Jack Black, Ellen DeGeneres; other names are expected to be added.
Gallen's obscenity-only stance was echoed by Viacom's MTV Networks and BET, which also are hosting their own separate telethons this weekend. Their time-delays are quicker -- 10 seconds for BET, five seconds for MTV -- but both have no plans to censor any opinions.
"There has been an outpouring of support from the musical community who want to help and lend their voices in the relief efforts, and our role is to provide them with a platform to do so," an MTV Networks spokeswoman said. "We do not censor artists."
This statement is so galling - as if being an entertainer gives you much more wisdom than you and I. We need to go back to the days before movies and televisions when actors and musicians were treated like everyone else.
I haven't heard a peep about the contribution levels AFTER Kanye West's comment were aired. This could turn out to be very interesting with the Dixie Chicks and some of the others who'll be performing - of course the Chicks aren't in Europe this time.
Shut up and sing bump.
Coincidence or Racism?
African-Americans are suffering disproprtionatly in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina- Coincidence or Racism?
http://www.mtv.com/community/message_boards/boardsdir.jhtml
Well if they want to brown off the people who are most likely to be generous, it's their baby.
This has the potential to be the largest ripoff in history.
let them say what they want we need good sound clips for Drudge on Sunday. They only make themselves look more moronic by the day
"We need to go back to the days before movies and televisions when actors and musicians were treated like everyone else."
We need to go back to the days when they used the servant's entrance because even the tradesman's entrance was above their station.
I thought the fundraisers immediately following 9-11 were very somber and tasteful. I don't think we will see the same here. I fully expect this to degrade into a TIRADE OF HATE. Also wonder how many of them are getting PAID to do this "charity work."
I was horrified to learn a couple of years ago that these "stars" are paid BIG to even SHOW UP to all their "charity" functions. They can go to H for all I care!
"African-Americans are suffering disproprtionatly in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina- Coincidence or Racism?"
How about consequence -- of believing a bunch of stupid crap.
And I'll say what I want.
No money to racists and bigots!!!
I would boycott it by I wasn't planning to watch these vapid nimrods anyway. Let them make all the political statements they want. It creates more red states. Man, that Karl Rove is one smart guy.
:-)
Yep, that'll pull in the bucks!
You bet.
Latest polls show only the die-hard 29% of the American
public (the liberal nut wing) believes any of this anti-Bush
crud. Hope that 29% at least unloads with generosity.
Me?, I'll send my money elsewhere.
Having the spotlight on their own little personal political soapbox is lots more important than helping the folks doncha' know.
MTV is NOT the government. It can't censor. If this is what its customers want...The advertisers better hope they're right.
He must be on crack.
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