Next...Scarface and Glengarry Glen Ross
In my opinion, anyone that thinks Private Ryan's language or violence is "innaproriate" is a damn fool. Either watch a very realistic account of a critical point in American history (which is so damn rare in today's media), or don't. Certain things rise above the normal rules.
So it appears that the stations that chose not to run it were justified, as the AFA did indeed file complaints. Don't these people have anything better to do?
(sigh) I'll say it again--ABC wasn't televising "Debbie Does Dallas." It was the first truly realistic look (for the most part) at a pivotal time in the history of the world.
i voted for dubya 2x, but this is just plain stupid.
you see, wait until the next democrat fcc and there will be some changes in the so-called fairness doctrine that folks who listen to talk radio will not like.
i view freedom of speech as inviolable.
OTOH, I would hate to see the movie used an excuse to make the F word common to be used in prime time.
I agree with the ruling ~ we don't need censorship ~ we need personal responsibility!
There was plenty of warning about the content of the movie.
I learned the "F" word in the first grade ~ I'm 74 and still use it ~ it works wonderfully as an adjective, noun and verb. :)
Applying the Michael Powell principle, "Boogie Nights" could be shown uncensored because the language and "adult situations" are accurate depictions of what takes place in the dehumanizing pornography industry. There are things that can be done to render a movie like "Private Ryan" less harmful, e.g. frequent violence warnings and muting the more offensive language.
Well, whether right or wrong, this is just going to give more ammo to Howard Stern, and his crazy theory that the FCC is out to get him and only him.
I don't believe that there's a specific vendetta or program against him, but instances like this give me pause. There really isn't any difference between when "bad" language is used on H.S. and in this movie. They're both being used in a conversational manner. So if anyone on this thread or reading this now didn't have a problem with Saving Private Ryan running, unedited, because the language in it was "conversational", then I hope you're consistent and let Stern off the hook for the same reason. And if you want to talk about sexual content being worse than the extreme violence in "Ryan"....sheesh, ok....anyone who thinks that "wins" this argument, I guess. :|
I mean really. It's becoming increasingly difficult, even for someone like me who loves this administration, to justify some of the actions of people chosen by it (in this case, Powell). Consistency is a *good* thing, sometimes, you know?
Hypocrites, all of them....
I think we need to expand the rating system for movies shown on television. If the fword is used anywhere in the movie, then there must be an "F" superimposed on the screen in the lower right-hand corner. Make them flash the "F" for five seconds before the word is said, giving viewers ample time to change the channel, if they would be offended. See, there's at least one solution to every problem.
These hyper-prides at American Family Association need to get a life.
Thanks Mike. Of course, the horse is already gone, but its nice to know the barn door is closed.
From a parent's perspective, if I objected to my child hearing the Fword, I also objected to my child seeing the violence of real war. So I think it's a moot point, really. Show the film uneditted with a warning to parents of violence and adult language. The parents should make the decision to remove their children. My opinion.
This isn't about whether or not some or all of us use bad language, or whether SPR is or isn't a good movie.
The point really is that the FCC has established regulations and ABC TV knowingly violated them. The end (i.e. in this case some enlightenment about the horrors of war) doesn't justify the means. This is just another example of trying to change the law by backdoor methods.
Separate the issue of whether the "f word" should be permitted and debate it all you want for the future. But that issue has been decided under the FCCs interpretation of indecency and Michael Powell once again lacks the guts to enforce his agencies own rules. If you wonder what I mean, go check his record, he's as bad at Clinton when it comes to blowing in the political wind).
NBC aired Schindler's List completely unedited in 1997, including every curse word, all the violence, and full frontal nudity, and I don't remember any such outcry to the FCC. Parental warnings were aired repeatedly during both movies that these films were not intended for the kiddies.
The thing about the the f-word in Private Ryan is that its use is neither gratuitous nor prurient.
CHANGE THE CHANNEL.
His pro-censorship crusade is killing us.