If your station is preempting Saving Private Ryan, I'd strongly suggest a call/note to your local station expressing your dismay at their chicken-spit attitude.
Just damn.
If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...
Posted on 11/10/2004 10:56:32 PM PST by SmithL
NEW YORK -- More than 20 ABC affiliates around the country have announced that they won't take part in the network's Veterans Day airing of "Saving Private Ryan," saying the acclaimed film's violence and language could draw sanctions from the Federal Communications Commission.
The decisions mark a twist in the conflict over the aggressive stand the FCC has taken against obscenity and profanity since Janet Jackson flashed the world during the last Super Bowl halftime show.
Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning movie aired on ABC with relatively little controversy in 2001 and 2002, but station owners -- including several in large markets -- are unnerved that airing it Thursday could bring federal punishment. The film includes a violent depiction of the D-Day invasion and profanity.
"It would clearly have been our preference to run the movie. We think it's a patriotic, artistic tribute to our fighting forces," Ray Cole, president of Citadel Communications, told AP Radio. The company owns three ABC affiliates in the Midwest.
Other stations choosing to replace the movie with other programming are located in Atlanta, Dallas, Honolulu, New Orleans, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Orlando, Fla., and Charlotte, N.C. They are owned by a variety of companies, including Cox Television, Tribune Broadcasting Corp., Hearst-Argyle Television Inc., Belo Corp. and Sinclair Broadcast Group.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Is this really the reason? I mean, they used to just bleep out the language that might offend.
Spielberg's contract w/ ABC sez there is to be no modification of the film whatsoever. Including censorship of dirty words. And frankly, it's quite clear this is not a movie for children, who are the only people I'd really worry about exposing to such language and violence. If grownups can't handle seeing grownup situations on TV, they oughta shut themselves in and never leave the house, because they certainly can't handle Real Life.
In fact, the sitcoms say much the same thing these days.
Hm. Can't recall ever hearing the F-bomb or S-bomb, or a few others, on network TV. Close, but not the actual words.
SW
Are you sure you're not talking about "Saving Ryan's Privates?"
The Holy Rollers get their wish- "Thank" you.
''Where Eagles Dare'' -- FMJ a good choice, too!
Anyone have a list of those 20 stations? Wonder if they are in blue states or red states....
It is Spielberg's work and he can command that (unless and law forbids it) but it is ironic that he manipulates his work to accommodate an anti-gun (anti-violence) agenda as in ET.
I know what you mean. But I think the last 5 minutes are extremely important too.
"Earn this"...two little words that say so much.
From this morning's Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
"It would clearly have been our preference to run the movie. We think it's a patriotic, artistic tribute to our fighting forces," Ray Cole, president of Citadel Communications, told AP Radio. The company owns WOI-TV in Des Moines, KCAU-TV in Sioux City and KLKN-TV in Lincoln, Neb.Other stations choosing to replace the movie with other programming include Atlanta's WSB-TV, WFAA-TV of Dallas, WGNO-TV of New Orleans, WCPO-TV of Cincinnati, WSYX-TV of Columbus, WISN-TV of Milwaukee, WSOC-TV of Charlotte, N.C., WVEC-TV of WMUR-TV of Manchester, N.H., WHAS-TV of Louisville, Ky. and KVUE-TV of Austin, Texas. They are owned by a variety of companies, including Cox Television, Tribune Broadcasting Corp., Hearst-Argyle Television Inc., Belo Corp. and Sinclair Broadcast Group.
I am glad I am not the only person who thinks that.
If your station is preempting Saving Private Ryan, I'd strongly suggest a call/note to your local station expressing your dismay at their chicken-spit attitude.
Just damn.
If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...
The Media is only trying "In your face" tactic during a national holiday. They should be ashamed. They are taking one example of a violation and turning it into propaganda for all to see.
God forbid some little ankle biter hears the 'F' word for the first time.
This particular movie has been on before, so it's not like they really can claim it is not fit for broadcast.
They are just trying to MAKE A POINT.
I say, GO OUT AND ATTEND MILITARY VETERANS SERVICES and CELEBRATIONS IN PERSON, and SCREW THE TV !!!!!!!!!!!!
Hollywood, ABC,CBS,NBC were taken over by the infestation that is COMMUNISISM a long time ago, and watching TV only supports their lies and their desire to take all your time, all your money, and use it to support their goals.
I only watch three programs, when I watch TV.
The Simpsons, Malcolm in the Middle, and That 70's Show.
I will not watch or pay for CABLE, SATELLITE, or DIGITAL. Those who do say all they do is constantly switch channels and never really end up watching anything completely through.
This technique is a planned one designed to get you to spread your attention throughout their advertising market, as you get bored with each show in progress and just know "there has to be something better on another channel."
We all (and I am including myself) need to KILL OUR TV's, and realize REALITY TV is an OXYMORON.
My local station here in the central time zone is not showing it because the "f word" is spoken 46 times in the first half hour.
It should have been shown later or the "f words" bleeped out.
I rented the CD and liked the movie a lot. However, I didn't show it to my young children, though.
It's a matter of decency on the public air waives during prime time.
I watched it for the first time Monday. It is a very intense movie.
I thought Band of Brothers was better.
I know this is not the forum for this, but I could not disagree with both of you more.
The scene where the medic is killed is extraordinarily powerful. It portrays the helplessness of men caught up in events. It shows the love and tenderness men have for each other, something those of us who have never fought have very little conception of.
How about the scene when one of their buddies is shot by a sniper? The futility and waste, as his blood runs slowly out while all the rest can do is watch? And all the man wanted was a piece of home, a little girl who reminded him of home, just a touch, a feeling of home.
And what about the hand to hand fighting near the end? The guys having a knife fight? The sheer inhumane aspect, the animal struggle to survive?
How can you discount those scenes as not worth watching?
I know this is not the basis of the thread, but those scenes, are, in a sense, just as powerful in a different way than the opening 30 minutes.
But I agree. The opening 30 minutes are like no other in cinema history. They stand alone.
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