FCC: Out of Control?

[Skrusti]

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=294825&GT1=7703

Nude Buttocks May Cost ABC $1.4 Million
Jan. 26, 2008, 7:16 AM EST

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a $1.4 million fine against 52 ABC Television Network stations over a 2003 broadcast of cop drama "NYPD Blue".

The fine is for a scene where a boy surprises a woman as she prepares to take a shower. The scene depicted "multiple, close-up views" of the woman's "nude buttocks" according to an agency order issued late Friday.

ABC is owned by the Walt Disney Co. The fines were issued against 52 stations either owned by or affiliated with the network.

FCC's definition of indecent content requires that the broadcast "depicts or describes sexual or excretory activities" in a "patently offensive way" and is aired between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The agency said the show was indecent because "it depicts sexual organs and excretory organs — specifically an adult woman's buttocks."

The agency rejected the network's argument that "the buttocks are not a sexual organ."

...Seriously? Because of a 5 year old episode of NYPD Blue, ABC is getting fined for 1.4 million?

How ridiculous is that. Onoz, Buttocks were seen.

If it had been breasts or a penis or a vagina, I could see where it might be a problem. But an ass?

This country disgusts me sometimes. I can't wait for the time I'm able to GTFO >>

[dosuser]

If your plan is an attempt to get away from things like this, you'll be severely disappointed.

[Raptor Jesus]

Everyone has a butt. Except those people who are born defective. And really, really, really skinny people. Like the girls who think throwing up is a cool work out. Anyway, penis.

[Talon87]

What the fuck is the difference between:

a) a woman's nude buttocks w/ not one square millimeter of pubic hair or labia showing
b) the same as A, only this time the network can prove that the woman was wearing a thong (that was sucked right up to her asshole by her firm buttcheeks) by showing scenes from a different part of the episode

Do I think that both scenes are a bit pervy for network TV, and that American television (as a whole) has been exponentially getting trashier and trashier as time goes on? Yes, yes I do. However, if we're willing to accept B (which our society clearly does, if you've ever visited a beach), then I fail to see why we can't let A slip by.

Also, what does the FCC plan to do regarding PBS documentaries where you can see a penis inside of a woman's vagina by the magic of 20th-century camerawork and you can see it ejaculating into her? (Think back to those videos I'm sure we've all seen on PBS about "The Miracle of Life" and such.) PBS is national television. If it's suitable for PBS, then it has to be suitable for all networks. And what exactly is it that's "suitable" here? Showing the genitalia for the purposes of educating the audience or advancing the story, i.e. not showing the genitalia for the purpose of sexual arousal.

The FCC is trying to argue that the scene in NYPD Blue was immoral (fuck you, Biblethumpers) because it showed a naked woman's butt and that invites "immoral thoughts" (i.e. boners :roll: ). I beg to differ. If you get a boner just by seeing a woman's butt when the situation isn't supposed to be sexual, that's your problem.

To paraphrase the NRA adage, "Naked butts don't make scenes sexual -- perverted minds make scenes sexual."

[SulcataIxlude]

I think some of the FCC people poped a boner, and decided to sue them for making them turned on or something.

[Kasumi Violet]

That begs the question, does any show ever get fined for showing MALE butts? Or baby butts? Why is it just female butts that are so offensive?

- KV