FCC Denies 36 Indecency Complaints(It's now ok to say "dick" on tv)

abc news ^ | 01/24/05 | ap

[joesbucks]

Also from Radio and Records:

The commission today rejected a series of complaints filed by the Parents Television Council against a number of television programs, including Friends, Will & Grace, Scrubs, NYPD Blue and Gilmore Girls, among others. Many of the complaints focused on dialogue that included the word "dick," although others cited use of "bitch," "penis," "bastard," "testicle" and "ass." Other complaints centered on more vague statements, such as an episode of the WB programCharmed during which a female character discussed whether to"take it to the next level" with her boyfriend. In denying the complaints, the FCC stated, "Although use of such words may, depending on the nature of the broadcast at issue, contribute to a finding of indecency, their use here was not patently offensive and therefore not indecent." Of PTC's numerous complaints focused on the word "dick," the FCC said, "In context and as used in the complained-of broadcasts, these were epithets intended to denigrate or were a paly on words. Their use in these contexts was not sufficiently explicit or graphic and/or sustained to be patently offensive."

[Tarpaulin]

[DTogo]

One of my favorite shows on TV Land: "The Dick Van Dyke Show"

Talk about a double entendre for the FCC: dick and dyke! ;)

[WhiteGuy]

A. You said "dick"............heh heh hehhehheh

B. Freedom of speech rules

C. Good riddance colon powell jr.

[Dog Gone]

Everyone seems to think they have a constitutional right not to be offended.

Still looking for that provision in the Constitution, but when I find it I'll let the forum know.

[Lawgvr1955]

I thought there were only seven words that couldn't be said going back to the 70's. Carlin's bit on the seven words is still funny.

[Vaquero]

Homer says"....But florida is Americas Wang!"

[Constitution Day]

LMAO!!!

[Dan from Michigan]

I like Bozell when he sticks to media biasness. I can't stand his big government censorship crusades.

There's a thing called a remote. USE IT.

[El Gran Salseron]

I always like to hear Sipowicz tell a suspect, "DAT DON'T MEAN DICK!"

[Asfarastheeastisfromthewest...]

Well, I for one sure don't want to turn on the TV at all hours of the day and hear toilet language - regardless of whether my kids are in the room or not. Having said that, it gets to get to be a slippery slope. They are all just words after all. If one word for genitalia is ok to use, why not another? If dick is ok and can be used regularly, why not the c word? Can someone explain the rationale here?

[FreedomCalls]

So when Dan Rowan said "Say Good-Night, Dick" was he saying Dick Martin's name or calling him a name?

[Dead Corpse]

Many of the complaints focused on dialogue that included the word "dick,"

Somewhere Mr. Morris and Mr. Van Dyke are breathing a sigh of relief...

[FreedomCalls]

FCC Denies 36 Indecency Complaints(It's now ok to say "dick" on tv)

And apparently on "Free Republic" as well.

[Dead Corpse]

That ain't gonna last long. But dang is it funny...

[KneelBeforeZod]

YOU ----!!

[UncleDick]

What's wrong with dick?

[joesbucks]

It is what it is.

[palmer]

If dick is ok and can be used regularly, why not the c word?

You are behind the times. The corresponding word "a##" is already in use on TV.

[Wolfie]

I'm headed for my bunker. The End Times are surely here.