Posted on 11/11/2004 4:01:34 PM PST by nomorecameljocks
KOCO Will Not Air 'Saving Private Ryan' A Statement From KOCO-TV's President And General Manager "It has been a subject of considerable discussion within our station as to whether 'Saving Private Ryan' is appropriate for broadcast prior to 9 p.m.
The movie has been recommended by the motion picture industry itself for mature audiences only due to its language and violent content.
Recent discussions by the Federal Communications Commission have established new legal standards for what broadcast stations may and may not broadcast prior to 9 p.m.
Until the FCC or the courts clarify those legal standards, we are left guessing as to whether the artistic, social or historical significance of programs such as 'Saving Private Ryan' is sufficient to insulate us from liability. We have an obligation to our viewers, as well, to consider our local market and how best to serve them.
We asked ABC for permission to air 'Saving Private Ryan' at 10:35 p.m. to broadcast it in the 'safe harbor' time period established by the FCC and, to our disappointment, were refused. As a result, we were left with the only alternative to preempt the show.
We regret that decision by ABC since this movie possesses significant artistic, social and historical value and its presentation on Veterans Day -- at a time when our nation is at war -- is a fitting tribute to the coverage and honor of those who so bravely serve and have served in the defense of our nation’s freedom."
Brent Hensley President, General Manager KOCO-TV ChannelOklahoma.com
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I'm a vet with a son in Iraq, and I agree that it isn't proper to show this on broadcast TV during the children's hour. I'm intentionally avoiding it tonight. I took my son to see it when he was a teenager. It isn't appropriate to see this without parental presence to discuss it.
I agree the "Longest Day" wold be a better choice. Speilberg is highly skilled, but he doesn't seem to value freedom and liberty nearly as much as honoring victims.
I may incurr some wrath here, but I think station managers are wise not to show this movie in primetime without a blanket waiver from Powell. Powell over-reacted, in my opinion, to the nano-second breast shot that nobody saw, except in freeze frame that circulated on the net. There's no telling what the outcry would be if a few dozen F-bombs were uttered in prime time. My guess is that more than a few "prudes" would vocally object and force Powell to act. These stations are rightly covering their a$$es.
Just my $.02
NEW YORK - ABC television, backed by Republican Sen. John McCain and other leading conservatives, sought Thursday to keep nervous affiliate stations from deserting a Veterans Day broadcast of the acclaimed World War Two film “Saving Private Ryan.”Sinclair?Several ABC affiliates, including eight stations owned by the Sinclair Broadcast Group and four owned by the Belo Corp., said they would show other programming, citing concerns about profanity and graphic violence in the film.
Yes Sinclair. WKEF-22 in Dayton, OH, isn't showing it. I tuned in late so I didn't see which movie they are showing. I think it might be "Born on the Fourth of July".
The real problem is Speilberg's refusal to let the film be changed to bleep out the obscenaties and perhaps edit some of the violence. It's not appropriate for prime time in its current form.
But I think the tv stations set this whole thing up intentionally to try to claim that the Bush administration is bunch of fascists and censors and what's wrong with them when a patriotic movie can't be shown, blah blah blah.
They know there's a huge difference between this film and the surprise titty flash of Janet Jackson and its ridiculous to claim they are equivalent. But they believe they can push their politics this way and I, personally, can see right through the charade.
"I agree with NOT showing it during "family time" on broadcast TV.
The media is simply attempting to use this tactic to try to humiliate and denegrate the moral conservatives by extremist reaction on the media's part.
Why else would they show extreme violence and foul language to children? Then they cry that they are afraid of the meanie FCC and that is why they don't dare show it? BULL!
"
Sorry, but that's just crap. This film was a great film about the heroism of US troops in WWII. Yes, they cursed, and yes, it depicts actual violence.
This is a lousy decision, IMO.
your opinion - my opinion
What is good for an adult is NOT necessarily good for a child.
This movie, uncut, is NOT good for a child -- personally, I thought it was more of a "b" movie (b for BAD!) Definitely NOT in the grade of Sands of Iwo Jima, D-Day, and the other really GREAT WWII movies -- who were incidentally made without all the cussing or heads blown off in full blown color.
YOU would actually let a child under 15 watch this?
I have NO complaint about this being shown in the 10pm + time slot.
The Omaha beach landings sequence at the start of the film (the best bit IMHO) were filmed about six miles from my home.
I had the opportunity to go on set during filming, and interview Speilberg and Tom Hanks. Have to say it was a great experience.
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