Schwarzenegger Films Will Trigger FCC Equal Time Rule

KNBC-TV/DT Los Angeles ^ | 8.12.03

[mhking]

LOS ANGELES -- Films and television shows featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrity candidates in California's gubernatorial recall election will likely not be broadcast in the state for the next few months so that stations can avoid having to give rival candidates equal time.

The airing of "Total Recall" or another Schwarzenegger film, or a repeat of a "Diff'rent Strokes" episode with Gary Coleman on broadcast television in California would trigger the Federal Communications Commission's equal time provision, allowing other candidates to demand the same amount of time.

Cable channels are not covered by the FCC rule, which in the past kept reruns of "Death Valley Days" off the air while Ronald Reagan ran for president. A repeat of a "Saturday Night Live" episode featuring Don Novello, aka Father Guido Sarducci, on cable, for instance, would not trigger the provision.

Novello, Schwarzenegger, Coleman and more than 240 other candidates, have filed to run in the Oct. 7 election to recall incumbent Gov. Gray Davis. The equal time rules was to kick in on Wednesday, when the state was expected to officially certify the list of candidates.

The major networks do not have a Schwarzenegger movie scheduled over the next two months. The National Association of Broadcasters has sent an alert to its California members reminding them about the consequences of the equal time provision.

The provision would also apply to stations in neighboring states that reach a sizable number of California voters.

"It's doubtful Arnold's movies will be shown on local broadcast stations between now and the election," said Dennis Wharton, an NAB spokesman.

[mhking]

No Arnold movies and no "Diff'rent Strokes" reruns...

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[AppyPappy]

Dumbest thing I ever heard of.

[rockprof]

Didn't know Father Guido Sarducci was running!

You'd think this rule would only apply to candidate appearances on TV, not old reruns of stupid sitcoms.

[Redwood71]

I somehow can't picture Davis with his shirt off firing two m-16 rifles at 200 evils while saving the girl. Definately not a tight cast.

[LanPB01]

How will TBS and WGN respond to not being able to continuously show "The Running Man", "Terminator", and "Kindergarten Cop"? There's only one answer, of course. It's time for a Steven Seagal/Jean Claude Van Damme marathon!

[Sunnyvale CA Eng.]

Can't show "Green Acres" either - with Zsa Zsa Huffington

[Semper Paratus]

It would only be fair if it showed the other candidates starring in their own feature length movies.

[jae471]

There's only one answer, of course. It's time for a Steven Seagal/Jean Claude Van Damme marathon!

Ideally, we want each candidate to receive an equal amount of air time -- not millions of people simultaneously vomiting. Of course, Executive Decision is okay, because Seagal dies early on.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Earlier thread...
Schwarzenegger films would trigger FCC equal time rule

[Tacis]

Good thinking. They shouldn't do anything that might make California subject to criticism or ridicule. If it really looks like Governor Davis will be recalled, I certainly hope he will consider running for President on the dem ticket in 2004. He would add a great deal of stature and experience to the group of nine now running and raise the level of gravitas now that Jerry Springer has dropped out.

Davis will be very busy for the next two weeks, however. Davis has hired Condit's kids again and they are personally loading two railroad boxcars with the cash left in the California treasury that Davis has claimed as his severence pay.

They should do everything to keep this process as formal as possible with all the dignity that is appropriate. BTW, I understand that Father Sardouchi was disqualified and will not be a candidate. That should come as no surprise, however, because the existing California administration is democrat and it is well known how much the dems hate Catholics. You knew the dems would reject a Catholic from the getgo.

[Lazamataz]

Dumbest thing I ever heard of.

No it isn't. You've heard of dumber things.

Like permitting me to live.

[cdefreese]

Just curious, but does this mean that Huffington's columns are also against the rules, would anything written in his mag by Flynt be banned as well?

[CounterCounterCulture]

If you call that living

[TRY ONE]

Since Peter Ueberroth was once the commissioner of Major League Baseball there should also be NO BASEBALL games broadcast within Kalifornia!

[mhking]

Just curious, but does this mean that Huffington's columns are also against the rules, would anything written in his mag by Flynt be banned as well?

Technically, nope. The Equal Time Rule from the FCC applies specifically to broadcast media.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Predator was on FX last night.

[TRY ONE]

Since Peter Ueberroth was once the commissioner of Major League Baseball there should also be NO BASEBALL games broadcast within Kalifornia!

Also, with Larry Flint running there can be no Skin Flicks or Porn Films shown!

[Lazamataz]

If you call that living

I don't. It sucks. How can I painlessly off myself?

[1Old Pro]

"It's doubtful Arnold's movies will be shown on local broadcast stations between now and the election,"

I didn't know that Local broadcast staions even aired movies. But then again, I don't watch the local stations because I don't watch NBC, CBS, or ABC.