NBC apologises for Jane Fonda's offensive word

Reuters ^ | 2/15/08

[Mr. Brightside]

NBC apologises for Jane Fonda's offensive word

Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:38am GMT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Television network NBC apologized for itself and actress Jane Fonda on Thursday after she used an offensive word on the "Today Show."

NBC called it "a slip" and said they did not mean to offend audiences.

Fonda was on the program on Thursday with playwright Eve Ensler to discuss Ensler's award-winning work, "The Vagina Monologues," in which women talk about their sexuality using frank language about their bodies and references to genitalia.

"Vagina Monologues" has spawned a movement called V-Day that aims to stop violence against women, and it is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Thursday.

Over the years, celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Salma Hayek, Sally Field, Glenn Close and Fonda have become involved in V-Day. On the "Today Show," Fonda explained how she first heard of "Vagina Monologues."

"I was asked to do a monologue called 'C***,' and I said, 'I don't think so. I've got enough problems," Fonda said. "Then I came to New York to see Eve and it changed my life."

The "Today Show" airs live on the U.S. East Coast, and the word was not muted or bleeped. Moments later program host Meredith Vieira apologized to audiences.

"Jane Fonda inadvertently said a word from the play that you don't say on television. It was a slip and obviously she apologizes and so do we," Vieira said. "We would do nothing to offend the audience, so please accept that apology."

U.S. broadcast standards and practices bar the use of the word uttered by Fonda.

[robomatik]

jane fondas parents need to apologize for her existence.

[OPS4]

No morals ever existed in Jane Fonda, One sick puppy.

[davisfh]

“Slip” my hind leg. She said exactly what she intended to say.

[gibsosa]

PIG

[rlmorel]

Hmmmm...

Jane...takes one to know one.

That is one person I would have no problem pouring a bottle of whiskey on her grave after it passed through my kidneys.

[elizabetty]

NBC needs to open an apology department. They have issued a lot lately but not nearly the number they owe the viewing public.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Viera’s apology was even funnier.

[the invisib1e hand]

whatever jane fonda is or isn't, rueters and nbc are giving her a platform. she's a pawn. they're the evil machinery.

so,the vage monologues are going mainstream, eh? Wow, how we've "evolved" right down the drain.

[wastedyears]

You want offensive...

[coconutt2000]

T’was a “verbal malfunction” that directly derived from Jane Fonda’s “mental malfunction.”

Just fine Jane Fonda and get on with life.

[Syncro]

When you hear a word directed at you over and over again, it will inevitably slip our when you talk.

[Mr. Brightside]

This is one instance where I support Jane Fonda.

Maybe her stupid remark will cost NBC millions in fines.

How much did CBS pay for Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction?

[ClearCase_guy]

This seems like someone saying, “My wife told me to call you a $%#@! but I told her I’d never do such a thing, I have enough problems.”

[gibsosa]

Doubt it. We are talking a loser lib....

[Laptop_Ron]

Doesn’t offend me. What offends me is that she has not been tried and executed for treason yet. It’s been about 40 years, hasn’t it?

That’s a Trial Of The Century that I’ll watch.

[mad_as_he$$]

Get in line FRiend. There are about 10 of us here on FR waiting for that day. Rumor is the family will have her cremated so we cannot fulfill out destiny.

[SC Swamp Fox]

NBC should call all 6 people that saw it and apologize.

[RichInOC]

I think that might actually be the correct technical term for Jane’s class of woman.

[rockrr]

I’m surprised that Eve didn’t say, “I know you are, but what am I?”