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 ...
Strangely enough, these networks have no problem showing the pro-gay "Saving Ryan's Privates" film...
Why can't they run "We Were Soldiers" instead. I'm sick of Spielberg getting all the hoopla. the film isn't THAT great.
Since there don't have a problem with their regular programs being aired
You could be right
The film is too violent and gory for TV. However, many of the sitcoms are downright dangerous in the perverted values they promote.
The FMJ soundboard!
Regardless of which analogy, metaphor, or semantics one chooses to describe this MSM decision, the spelling of B-I-A-S won't change.
Just buy the DVD. No big deal.
I HIGHLY recommend the version with DTS surround sound. Wow.
I haven't seen "Saving Private Ryan", but can't they just bleep out the bad words?
Probably "The Sands of Iwo Jima" would be better anyway.
/sarcasm
Cutting SPR would be as ridiculous as cutting Blazing Saddles. This is NOT a made for TV movie.
This is outrageous. This is one of America's best movies of all time.
I have no reason to believe they're not telling the truth. They would put on anything to get ratings, and it's not like if they don't put it on Americans won't love our troops. Sometimes we all get a little hysterical about this kind of thing, but look at the bottom line--ABC wouldn't give up the revenue they'd get by airing it unless they were trying to make some sort of statement about the FCC coming down, or they feared more charges.
I didn't like Saving Private Ryan. I watched it once, and I could not bring myself to watch it again. Spielberg is no friend of the military and I believe his ultmate purpose in making the film was not to honor the soldiers, but to frighten people at the horrors of war and turn them all into peaceniks like himself. The violence was gratuitious as was the use of profanity.
I support any station that refuses to show it. I would suggest that they substitute Saving Ryan with Cornielius Ryan's "The Longest Day".
Difference was, I would know not to let my children watch Saving Private Ryan. I wasn't warned that the Super Bowl was going to be a problem.
Spielberg also went to Cuba to kiss Castro's arse. The film was filled with liberal actors and was just cashing in on the bravery of WW2 vets.
The FCC is one of many government agencies that need a good rebellion against it.
Nanny government at its worst, with the poster boy from shameless nepotism as head Mary Poppins.
We just heard it differently. To me, he said "earn this" to me and every other American.
If I were to hear it like you did, I would agree.
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