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F.C.C. Indecency Faves
The Federal Communications Commission's increased crackdown on our media's "indecent" ways have encountered fury on the left, with cries of censorship, and praise on the right, by parents groups who say TV violence and obscenities corrupt children.
On Monday, the F.C.C.'s rules on "fleeting expletives" – the occasional fucks and shits accidentally broadcast by everyone from Family Guy to Bono to Nicole Richie – were rejected by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York. It was a major victory for the networks and a sharp rebuke for the F.C.C. and the Bush administration. As the case continues to wind through the courts, we offer our own favorite F.C.C. highlights, both forbidden material and satirical taunts.
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1
Superbowl XXXVIII (aka "Nipplegate")
The moment that started it all: When Justin Timberlake ripped off (accidently?) the front of Janet Jackson costume, it revealed her breast to millions of viewers at the 2004 Super Bowl, broadcast on CBS. The F.C.C. wasn't happy, fining the network $550,000. While the company tried to feign ignorance and blame a "wardrobe malfunction," the damage, as spelled out in this brilliantly incisive article from The Onion, was already done. |
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2
"Without a Trace" Teen Sex Orgy
In March 2006, CBS received another wallop of a fine from the F.C.C. ($3.6 million!) for airing a sexually suggestive montage of a teen sex orgy in an episode of the FBI crime show, "Without a Trace." While there's no explicit nudity or dirty words, the Parent's Television Council was shocked and outraged so much that they forced the F.C.C.'s hand with a barrage of angry complaints. |
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3
"24" Torture
Violence is the new sex, according to the F.C.C. A report on the increasingly violent nature of mainstream network television released this April makes reference to a number of primetime shows where violence is prevalent. While Jack Bauer hasn't yet officially been cited by the F.C.C., "24" is on the government's hit list. Check out this vivid torture clip from "24," which displays a U.S.-approved interrogation tactic known as "sense dep" (or sensory deprivation). |
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4
Joe Scarborough's Fuckin' Awesome
One of the great mysteries of our time: Did conservative MSNBC commentator Joe Scarborough say "fuckin'" or did he say "frickin'." While Bono and Cher got the F.C.C. all over their asses when they used the f'word, Scarborough got away with this spontaneous expletive. Or is he still clean? Watch the clip. Decide for yourself. |
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5
Family Guy's F.C.C. Song
An Internet favorite, Family Guy's decency-pushing humor loves to ride the edge of what's acceptable and what's not. In this loving musical tribute to the F.C.C., the cast of Family Guy offers this skillful skewering of TV censorship. And if you want more of the same, former Monty Python member Eric Idle offers his own uncensored "FCC song" on YouTube for your listening pleasure.
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