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 ...
The GUARANTEED liberal response down the line a year or two:
"But, But, But WE can have the "F" word, too! Because you allowed it on Saving Private Ryan last year. Precedent! Equal justice under the law!"
Just watch the libs do it.
I say NO. Bleep it, or otherwise people can rent the DVD. Not on our American TV. No precedents for liberals to expand their filth later on our televisions and further corrupt our culture.
I've heard that explanation, but all us other Americans weren't in the movie. Private Ryan was, and that's who he said it to. Maybe I'm just too literal....
Here, in the Deep, Deep South in the very heart of the Bible Belt where I live, the f word on network TV at 8:00 pm cst just doesn't play. Period. End of discussion. It violates our "community standards".
If the network allowed the stations to show it at 10:00 pm cst, then it would have probably played. The network would not allow local stations to do this.
It's been run for the past couple of years uncensored and so far there's no groundswell to allow more profanity.
It's long past time to get the FCC back to its proper function (making sure that Joe Blow doesn't interfere with John Doe's broadcast channel).
Getting to the larger issue, for me, it is a far closer call than it first appears on either side of the issue. It definitely is not a movie for children, and Janet-gate DID change things. On the other hand, losing the language and the violence does diminish greatly from the film. One could make the same argument legitimately for "The Sopranos" running on prime-time over-the-air TV, but there, a lot more people could see it as the camel's front legs getting into the tent (can't say "nose" because that's beein fogging up the mirror for a few years). Of course, we are talking about the network that showed Dennis Franz's bare behind, ran the "Batchelor/Batchelorette", and is currently running "Wife Swap" and "Desperate Housewives" (programs that these stations have absolutely no problem running).
In the end, it's time to pop in a DVD. Hmmm, "Saving Private Ryan"? "Patton"? "The Longest Day"? "Band of Brothers"? So many choices, so little time.
A man of my own tastes. It's only 10 minutes longer than Saving Private Ryan.
I also remember the day I saw Private Ryan. I never want to see it again. Once was more than enough. It was not a pleasant nor an educational experience. It was depressing and I believe Spielberg intended to shock his audience into becoming anti-war nut jobs like him.
That was before the people in charge of the FCC went off their meds.
Again, the FCC needs to be strictly confined to its one and only legitimate function, which is policing spectrum property rights against interference.
Since that's the truth, they are performing a valuable public service by making the fact generally known.
We can hope that when Daddy leaves, Sonny Boy will follow (though it's unlikely that this will result in any improvement unless the FCC is ordered back to its proper job).
It's not "your" TV. If you would prefer socialism, why are you on this forum instead of a more congenial one?
LOL! Chocolate milk coming out of the nostrils! :=)
I read that Steven Speilberg would not allow his film to be edited in any manner. Also heard that it was more of a protest of the FCC's wishy washy rules and action on this subject.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.