FCC Reduces Fine Against FOX Over 2003 Reality Show
Posted by Jacci Lewis Categories: Prime Time, Reality, ABC, FOX, Cable/Satellite, News,
Score one for
FOX reality TV, sort of. The Federal Communications Commission slashed nearly all of a proposed $1.2 million indecency fine against several FOX stations yesterday, according to the Washington Post.
The FCC instead decided stations can only be fined for airing the offensive TV show in question if viewers actually complained about it. There was not a change in the FCC’s determination that the show in question was, in fact, indecent.
In this case, 13 of the 169 FOX stations that aired the April 7, 2003 episode of the short-lived Married By America will actually be required to pay indecency fines. The total amount of fines will be somewhere near $91,000.
The episode that lead to the original fine showed digitally-obscured nudity and strippers covered in whipped cream. FOX argued that the worst parts were obscured, keeping the scene from being indecent under FCC rules which prohibit conventional radio and television stations from broadcasting what’s called “patently offensive” material of a sexual or excretory nature between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. (Times when children are most likely to be watching.) Obviously FCC indecency statutes do not cover cable or satellite TV (e.g. Paradise Hotel 2).
The Post says FOX, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., hasn’t decided whether to appeal the FCC ruling in federal court.
Click to continue reading FCC Reduces Fine Against FOX Over 2003 Reality Show
Washington Post
Advertisement
Gosselaar, Garofalo Team up for New Legal Drama
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Drama, Prime Time, CBS,
Mark-Paul Gosselaar, who will always be Zach from Saved by the Bell to me, has signed on for a new CBS drama. The series, which so far is untitled, centers around Los Angeles public defenders. Gosselaar will play the lead role, as a young attorney who chooses to be a public defender rather than running for Congress. Janeane Garofalo is on board as well, although it’s less clear what her role will be. The drama comes from Numbers creator, Barry Schindel. To Gosselaar’s credit, he has had a steady career, most recently with roles on NYPD Blue and Commander in Chief. I’m not one for legal dramas, but I’m glad to see Garofalo back on television. I’d rather see her take on a comedic role, but I’ll settle for Janeane any way I can get her.
Read More 
| Zap2it
Advertisement
© Gear Live Media, LLC. 2007 – User-posted content, unless source is quoted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain License. Gear Live graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, videos, articles, blogs, forums, scripts and other service names are the trademarks of Gear Live Inc.