Janet/Justin situation may have expensive consequences
 

I'm putting this in politics, although it could go in either Entertainment or Chit Chat, but the "breast bearing" episode could have serious ramifications. I post it here due to the FCC, Congressional and Presidential involvement.

UPDATE 3-U.S. watchdog investigates Jackson breast incident
February 02, 2004 8:54:00 PM ET


(Adds Houston authorities, Jackson statement)

By Jeremy Pelofsky

WASHINGTON, Feb 2 (Reuters) - U.S. regulators on Monday vowed to investigate whether indecency rules were broken during the broadcast of the Super Bowl halftime show when pop diva Janet Jackson's bodice was ripped to expose her right breast.

During the break in the National Football League's championship game Sunday in Houston, singer Justin Timberlake reached for Jackson as they performed a duet and tore off part of her black leather bustier, prompting widespread outrage.

The game garnered the best Super Bowl ratings in six years, and the incident provoked wall-to-wall coverage on cable news networks. President George W. Bush was asked to comment but said he fell asleep before the halftime show.

U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell promised a "thorough and swift" investigation of the stunt aired during one of the year's most popular American television broadcasts, which draws a major worldwide audience.

"That celebration was tainted by a classless, crass and deplorable stunt," Powell said in a statement that was echoed by others on the panel. "Our nation's children, parents and citizens deserve better."

But despite a public outcry over the incident, police in Houston said no charges would be brought because prosecutors determined there was no criminal act. Said Police Chief Joe Breshears, "actions that may seem in poor taste do not necessarily rise to the level of violations of Texas law."

The CBS network, which broadcast the game, and MTV, which produced the football halftime bonanza, apologized for what they described as an unscripted moment. Both are units of media conglomerate Viacom Inc. (VIAb) (VIA) .

Timberlake said the baring of Jackson's breast resulted from a "wardrobe malfunction," while Jackson herself said the disrobing went further than she had anticipated.

"The decision to have a costume reveal at the end of my half-time show performance was made after final rehearsals," she said in a statement issued by her publicist. "MTV was completely unaware of it. It was not my intention that it go as far as it did. I apologize to anyone offended."

Still, Jackson's label Virgin Records, capitalized on the attention, announcing that her new single "Just a Little While," was being delivered to U.S. radio outlets on Monday, ahead of schedule.

Virgin said track from her upcoming album, "Damita Jo," was released early due to a "firestorm of interest" fueled by unauthorized Internet downloads of the song.

'BROADCAST STANDARDS'

The episode comes as television networks find themselves on the defensive over the bounds of good taste, with the FCC taking a more aggressive stand against indecency and Congress threatening to sharply raise fines for such incidents.

"We attended all rehearsals throughout the week and there was no indication that any such thing would happen," CBS said. "The moment did not conform to CBS broadcast standards and we would like to apologize to anyone who was offended."

The NFL said it would not likely allow MTV to produce another halftime show.

Some questioned whether it was unplanned since MTV's Web site promised ahead of the show "shocking moments" and Timberlake sang the line "I'll get you naked by the end of this song," moments before the incident.

Complaints flooded into the FCC about Jackson and male singers grabbing their groin area while performing. The FCC could fine each station that aired the show up to $27,500 per violation as well as consider revoking broadcast licenses.

"Whether or not CBS executives did or did not know in advance is irrelevant, Viacom executives had the duty to know." said Parents Television Council President Brent Bozell who urged the FCC to fine each station the maximum.

The FCC already is considering action against General Electric Co.'s (GE) NBC network for an incident in which U2 rocker Bono uttered an expletive during a live broadcast.

Federal rules bar the broadcast of obscene material and limit the airing of indecent material that contains offensive sexual or excretory references to late night hours when children are unlikely to be watching. (additional reporting by Ben Berkowitz and Steve Gorman in Los Angeles and Larry Fine in New York.) REUTERS

© 2004 Reuters

DeltAlum comment: After spending a lot of years as a TV director, and judging by the quick reaction (in my opinion, impossibly quick), I have trouble believing that this was an accident. Perhaps it went farther than expected, but I think it was planned. But I don't put a whole lot of trust in the folks at MTV. Only my opinion, though.

FCC stuff
 

Not JJ & JT related, but last month I was amused at everyone having a fit because Bono dropped the F bomb at the AMAs or wherever that was. He did that 10 years ago during a Frank Sinatra tribute at the Grammys and there wasn't all this fuss.

I thought I read the FCC decided the recent Bono thing was no big deal b/c he was using it as an adjective, instead of using it profanely, alone....???? (Obviously they worded it better but you know what I mean...)

How about someone just shut Powell up?

-Rudey
--He's way more annoying than his more distinguished relative.

NBC is still be investigated because of the Bono comment. It is one of the "seven dirty words," you know.

As for indecent exposure and using words such as Bono did, the fact is that it is against the law on the "public airwaves," whether Powell is a jerk or not.

In each incident, every station of each network that aired the offending content can be fined $27, 500.

There are probably around 300 plus affilliates for each network.

I heard on "The View" this morning that Janet was supposed be wearing a red bra.

Re: Just curious
 

I've been a mod for almost a year now. :)

Rudey - how is he related to Colin? (I assume that's who you mean)

33 -- He is Colin's son.

Here's more on J&J:

Janet's Pop Shocker!
By BILL HUTCHINSON
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Janet Jackson set off a Super Bowl firestorm Sunday night when her right breast was bared during her nationally televised halftime show duet with Britney Spears' ex-squeeze, Justin Timberlake.

Michael Jackson's little sister ended Timberlake's "Rock Your Body" with the heartthrob ripping off the leather cup that covered her breast as he sang, "Gotta have you naked by the end of this song."

Timberlake later apologized, blaming the televised peep show on a "wardrobe malfunction."

Federal Communications Commission chief Michael Powell, the top U.S. regulator of broadcasting, said Monday it was "a classless, crass and deplorable stunt."

In a statement, Powell said, "I am outraged at what I saw during the halftime show of the Super Bowl. Like millions of Americans, my family and I gathered around the television for a celebration. Instead, that celebration was tainted by a classless, crass and deplorable stunt. Our nation's children, parents and citizens deserve better."

"I have instructed the commission to open an immediate investigation into last night's broadcast," he said, vowing it would be "thorough and swift." Such an investigation could result in a fine of up to $27,500 or - if the FCC applied the sanction to each CBS station - in the millions.

The split-second exposure, witnessed by up to 100 million viewers, revealed what appeared to be a sun-shaped metal ring atop the 37-year-old entertainer's nipple.

CBS officials said they were as shocked as any viewer by the incident, which came as Jackson's brother Michael is battling child-molestation charges.

"CBS deeply regrets the incident that occurred during the Super Bowl halftime show," network brass said in a statement released after the game, in which the New England Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers, 32-29. "We attended all rehearsals during the week, and there was no indication any such thing would happen."

"We would like to apologize to anyone who was offended," the network's statement read.

One network source likened the incident to being "hijacked."

The CBS switchboard was flooded with angry calls.

Outraged parents also hit Jackson's Web site with E-mails.

"I am outraged at the finale of the show," a mother of three wrote. "There was no warning whatsoever that it may not be appropriate for children." While CBS officials pleaded ignorance to the antics, the entertainer had hinted she was planning something outrageous.

A Jan. 28 story on MTV's Web site promised "shocking moments" during her performance in Houston, and her choreographer made similar comments in a recent interview.

MTV, which produced the halftime show, is owned by Viacom, CBS' parent company.

The halftime show at Super Bowl XXXVIII hit other new levels of raunch: Rapper Nelly grabbed his crotch, and Kid Rock came out wearing an American flag cut into a poncho.

Shortly after the show, a streaker with the Web address of an Internet gambling site written on his body delayed the start of the second half by running onto the field, causing players and security guards to tackle him. NFL officials said they were "extremely disappointed by elements" of the show.

"They were totally inconsistent with assurances our office was given," said NFL Executive Vice President Joe Browne. "It's unlikely that MTV will produce another Super Bowl halftime."

MTV tried to deflect the criticism, claiming the incident was "unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional."

But in New York, viewers weren't buying the excuses.

Lindsey Ronchi, 25, of Manhattan, said "my jaw dropped" when Jackson's breast flashed across all five TV screens at McAleer's Irish Pub on the upper West Side.

"I think it was kind of staged. She didn't flinch," Ronchi said.

The stunt marked the second time in recent weeks that the Jackson family has been embroiled in a controversy with the Tiffany network.

CBS was forced to fend off claims it paid Michael Jackson for a "60 Minutes" interview after the network agreed to air his entertainment special as part of a deal for the interview with newsman Ed Bradley.

ETA I just read a joke that allegedly the sponsors who had spots aired after halftime were angry because Janet proved that you can cure erectile disfunctions without pills.

Re: Re: Just curious
 

Daddy.

-Rudey

Cut me a break here. What are they protesting?? They didn't protest the lyrics or the meaning behind the song but when a visual occurs - that's wrong. They don't protest when the players are bringing more and more lethal weaponry into stadiums and lockers or the fact that their children's heroes are a bunch of wife beating, coke snorting criminals. They protest when a breast is shown.

-Rudey
--Idiots.

Television is a visual medium. Especially for children. Folks who didn't care for and perhaps weren't even listening to the words of the song couldn't help but see the video.

Oh I get it so the kids and the family suffer mental retardation and couldn't listen or comprehend simple words but they can fully take in the weight of a split second image that hardly showed as much as the net closeups.

-Rudey

You know, I bet that had this been somewhere in Latin America or Europe, the whole boob situation would have not been blown up like this. To them, boobs are nothing.

I agree that there is a huge gap in punishment between what is "seen" and what is "heard" in entertainment -- although I would prefer to keep it that way or you get stuff like MTV bleeping out ".45" and "weed" and what's next, bleeping out "sex"?

Nevertheless I think that visuals do make a much bigger impression on kids than audio. There are lots of songs that I listened when I was younger than are pretty clearly -- at least now -- about sex or drugs or whatever, but back then I had no clue.

I also think that context is key. If this had happened on MTV, who would have cared? But yeah, I do think some parents have a right to complain given that it was the Super Bowl.


I also agree with the ban on MTV ever producing another halftime show, not because of the nudity, but because this one sucked. The best part -- the only good part -- was when the marching band played Outkast.

Oh don't worry they're also pursuing radio stations pretty heavily. This guy is out to make his name.

-Rudey

I don't understand why this is a big deal. Whether or not it was intentional. Who cares?

Who fricken cares i think you saw a milli second of something that was mostly covered by all her hair and then her hand as she realized. the Superbowl 1/2 time show producers cut the lights faster then you can zoom in and see if she was exposed.


Tis is all a ploy on her familys side rigged up to take the spot light off micheal... i mean how obvious jermaine jackson was there... he and janet and timberlake proberly staged it to take some media off micheal...

It doesn't matter at all whether anyone cares. It's against the law. It won't happen, but it is possible that the TV stations that carried the show could lose their licenses -- even though they had absolutely no control over the matter at all.

On the other hand, MTV had nothing to lose because it is not an over the air broadcaster and owns no on air TV stations. There's not much the FCC can do to them.

Great publicity for J&J, though.

I don't think it's fair to fine every CBS Affliated Stations just because they were caught off-guard by the Incident. As I have stated in the Supebowl Controversy Thread in Chit-Chat, everyone From the NFL to the FCC is blowing this out of porpotion. there is a lot more important issues going on in the world than crying "Foul" over Janet's exposed Boobies.

Right now the FCC is in the middle of a 'fishing expedition' stirred up by viewer complaints and media sensationalism... they cannot be seen as a mindless bureaucracy that takes glacial progress to resolve anything, especially not in an election year.

The individual stations will probably not be fined, but bet yer ass CBS, and in turn, Viacom (who owns both MTV and CBS) will be made to cough up $ for the fine.

BTW, Michael Powell is Colin's eldest son. He did time in the Army as well until he was injured in a car wreck while in the service.

And there lies the Catch 22. The FCC has little or no regulatory authority over CBS or MTV.

I'll explain.

CBS and MTV do not really "broadcast" anything. They provide programming for TV stations and cable systems. The FCC has no Censorship power. The FCC is the guardian of the "public's airwaves" only. The networks have no transmitters and because of that don't "broadcast" in the literal sense of the word. That's why we hear about fining individual TV stations over whom the FCC does wield a big stick. In fact, the only way the FCC has traditionally "governed" the networks is through it's power over the few stations which are owned outright by the networks. MTV doesn't even have that concern since it is only on cable -- which also doesn't use "airways."

I agree, though, that it is unlikely (although not impossible) that regular CBS affilliates (as opposed to owned stations) will be fined.

Now, here are several articles taken from "Shoptalk," an internet bulleting board frequented by broadcast professionals. I'm sorry they are so long, but I am particularly interested in the last paragraph of the last one...which points out that 1 out of 5 (20%) of American children ages 2-11 were watching the Superbowl.

Once again, CBS Faces A Firestorm
By RICHARD HUFF
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

CBS is putting the C back in controversy.

Janet Jackson's breast-baring stunt during halftime at Sunday's Super Bowl left the network with yet another black eye.

CBS, which has built a reputation over the years as a family-friendly outlet, recently has been hit by a series of questionable programming incidents.

Here's the sequence:

In November, CBS scheduled, then pulled, "The Reagans" after a furor among conservative groups who claimed that the miniseries unfairly slammed former President Ronald Reagan and his family. CBS president Leslie Moonves ditched the project after agreeing that it did a disservice to the President. Showtime eventually ran the film without hassle.

Also in November, the network pulled a Michael Jackson music special after the singer was arrested on child molestation charges.

The cancellation was understandable. But what turned the situation bad for CBS was that it then rescheduled the entertainment special after Jackson agreed to talk on a "60 Minutes" program in December.

Doing the interview to get the special aired raised concerns that CBS, though perhaps indirectly, was tying Jackson's pay to the interview. And while all network officials deny any connection, it still marred the CBS reputation.

Now, Janet Jackson and her right breast have put the network in a controversy when they should have been glowing from the great ratings the game achieved.

CBS has weathered the previous storms well, and is the most-watched network on the air in total viewers. It is, however, third with the advertiser-coveted ages 18-to-49 segment - the same crowd that watches MTV and may not have been offended by seeing Jackson's pierced breast.

"Are they snakebit?" asked Bill Koenigsberg, president of Horizon Media. "I think it's going to cause them to be a little more diligent in terms of standards and practices, programming decisions, greenlighting projects - and their extensions to the Viacom brands."

One network insider attributed the controversies to playing in the big leagues and having to deal with highly rated programs.

Koenigsberg said he doubted there will be any fallout for CBS from the recent controversies.

"The American public pretty much has a short memory," Koenigsberg said. "You're not going to see a significant ratings decline because of the Janet Jackson stunt."


Back to the top
Submit a letter




Investigation, Furor Over Super Bowl's Halftime Peepshow
Sorry! Jackson apologizes for baring breast on national TV
C.W. Nevius
San Francisco Chronicle

Federal Communications Commission chief Michael Powell was outraged and launched an investigation. National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue called it "offensive, inappropriate and embarrassing." And Super Bowl halftime performer Janet Jackson called it a last-minute stunt that went very wrong.

When singer Justin Timberlake reached over to Jackson, just after singing, "Better have her naked by the end of this song," and ripped off a part of her costume, it exposed more than a breast.

It revealed the growing divide between those who believe networks should be free to decide what airs on television and those who would like government to be tougher in enforcing rules against indecency.

"This was MTV meets Middle America, and it was ugly," says Jim Steyer, chairman and CEO of the Bay Area-based Common Sense Media, which favors more rigorous regulation of the airwaves.

Others were wondering what the fuss is about. "There's no story here," said University of Southern California journalism professor Joe Saltzman. "People have seen a breast before."

By Monday morning, the backpedaling had commenced in earnest.

Jackson insisted that the decision to rip off part of her costume "was made after final rehearsals." She said MTV, which produced the halftime show for CBS, was "completely unaware of it." "It was not my intention that it go as far as it did," Jackson added. "I apologize to anyone offended -- including the audience, MTV, CBS and the NFL."

Her spokesman said a red lace garment was supposed to remain when Timberlake tore off the costume's outer covering.

But several news organizations suggested that at least some of those putting on the show knew what was going to happen.

The Drudge Report, an Internet site that mixes news and gossip, claimed that "top CBS executives approved ... a skit where Janet Jackson would expose her breast.''

And several news organizations reported finding an entry on the MTV Web site -- later removed -- that crowed, "Janet Jackson got nasty at the MTV produced Super Bowl Halftime show."

CBS insisted it knew nothing about the stunt, as did MTV.

"CBS deeply regrets the incident," CBS spokeswoman Leslie Anne Wade said, adding that representatives from the network attended rehearsals of the show, and they never thought "any such thing would happen."

The always-conservative NFL harrumphed its displeasure.

"We were extremely disappointed by the MTV-produced halftime show," said Tagliabue in a prepared statement. And FCC Chairman Powell, already under fire for taking tepid action when U2 singer Bono used the f-word during last year's Golden Globes awards, thundered into action.

Powell could fine each CBS affiliate that aired the Super Bowl $27,500. But Common Sense's Steyer scoffed that the amount is nothing more than a "chauffer tip" for Sumner Redstone, president of Viacom, which owns both CBS and MTV. To all of those expressing indignation, Saltzman at USC says, "Haven't they ever seen Janet Jackson perform before? She's the worst singer and dancer in the world, but she does suggestive dancing."

Even Steyer, who is on the other end of the argument, thinks it's a little late for Powell to be shocked.

"Where has he been?" Steyer asks. "So Michael Powell has suddenly gotten religion? He has to do something. He's at least using the bully pulpit." That may be the extent of it if the Golden Globes experience is any indication.

Bono, thrilled to win an award, said "This is really, really f -- brilliant." Some viewers were offended, but the FCC Enforcement Bureau originally ruled that it was not a violation because the word was used "as an adjective, not a verb." Powell later amended the ruling to say that a future use of the word would be penalized.

The larger issue, Steyer and others believe, is the "slippery slope" of declining standards in the media.

Among them is Robert Peters, president of Morality in Media, which includes among its donors New York Giants co-owner Wellington Mara and members of the Rooney and McCaskey families, owners respectively of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears. Peters said Mara already has contacted him to voice displeasure with the halftime show.

"The MTV-ization of the NFL is so far out of character for the (league)," Peters says. "We are moving to a gladiator spectacle, which people are only watching for blood and sex." Steyer wanted to know what the NFL had in mind when it turned this show over to MTV.

"I thought the whole thing was pathetic," Steyer said. "You've got (rapper) Nelly with his usual crotch grabbing. He's singing, "It's getting hot in here, take off all your clothes.' What a nice message for my 6-year-old daughter. I can tell you we got hundreds of e-mails and calls. I got calls at home, from friends, saying what are you going to do?"

For starters, Steyer said, Common Sense Media has posted the e-mail addresses and phone numbers for Tom Freston, chairman and CEO of MTV, Judy McGrath, president of MTV, and Les Moonves, chairman and CEO of CBS, on its web site (www.commonsensemedia.org).

However, there is the possibility that the public outcry is exactly what the performers were hoping for. Jackson has hardly been setting the entertainment world aflame lately. This is more attention than she's gotten in years.

This sort of stunner has worked nicely for MTV in the past. At the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, Madonna kissed pop divas Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. The reaction was widespread outrage -- and at least of week of publicity for the singers and MTV.

"I don't believe that this was accidental for a second," says Steyer. "What I want to know is where were the advertisers? Aren't they saying, "We spent $2.3 million for 30 seconds, and we get lumped in with Janet Jackson and Nelly?"

But ratings suggest it was a great Super Bowl for advertisers. It was the most-watched game in the past six years, with an average viewership of 89.6 million.

That is one of the biggest up-ticks since 1993, when a performer named Michael Jackson preformed at halftime and repeatedly grabbed his crotch on national television. It created national outrage -- and record television ratings.


Back to the top
Submit a letter




Duo Caught In Booby Trap: Grammys on CBS
By DON KAPLAN
NEW YORK POST

CBS is moving to bounce Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake from next Sunday's Grammy Awards amid the national uproar following their X-rated, prime-time Super Bowl stunt.

Sources told The New York Post the network will demand the two stars be tossed from 46th Annual Grammy Awards if CBS's probe shows the duo schemed in advance to expose Jackson's pierced breast during the halftime spectacle.

Jackson admitted as much in a statement Monday night, saying, "The decision to have a costume reveal at the end of my halftime performance was made after final rehearsals."

She said MTV, which produced the show, did not know about the boob surprise - and she apologized for the stunt, saying "it was not my intention that it go as far as it did."

The Grammys will be held in Los Angeles and will be telecast by CBS, which also showed the Super Bowl. Jackson is scheduled to be a presenter and Timberlake is slated to perform.


Back to the top
Submit a letter




CBS Gave 90 Million An Eyeful - So Did 1 in 5 Kids
By Lisa de Moraes
Washington Post

An average of nearly 90 million viewers makes Super Bowl XXXVIII the most watched program on any network since the Super Bowl of January '98, CBS boasted Monday.

In its bragging points, CBS also put out lots of demographic information, including the game's performance among men ages 18 to 34, 18 to 49, and 25 to 54.

But here's the demographic you all want to know about. CBS forgot to include it but it was graciously provided to us by other number-crunchers: Based on preliminary stats, it appears that as many as one in five American kids between the ages of 2 and 11 years caught that halftime show, which included Janet Jackson's memorable performance, "My Right Breast."

Based on preliminary stats, it appears that as many as one in five American kids between the ages of 2 and 11 years caught that halftime show, which included Janet Jackson's memorable performance, "My Right Breast."

THIS is the bottom line. Parents have the RIGHT to demand their children be free from lascivious displays in their own home. You want to watch it-get cable.

Those two no-talent entertainers are so nauseatingly disgusting I could just puke! They basically thumbed their noses at everyone.
ASSumed they were so cool the masses would accept anything.
Somebody commented "a sagging boob to boost a sagging career." That about sums it up on her part.
Why the heck no one is AS offended by Timberlake's actions is beyond me. (Double standard?)

Radio shock-jocks get fined all the time (per Gallaugher's Army)
so why shouldn't there be some fines leveled her. True, true, it's like a drop out of the bucket, but it needs to be done. I'm not so sure this will all fade away. Parents may take a much harder view at MTV and what's on cable. The "backlash" may spill over into
liberal politics and bring out the angry Americans who have had it UP TO HERE!!!:mad: .....and I am one of them!

This Out Today...
 

Not a great week for CBS...

"CBS Fined $550,000 for Janet Jackson's Super Bowl Stunt
Largest Fine Ever Levied Against a Television Broadcaster
By JENNIFER C. KERR, AP

WASHINGTON (Sept. 22) -- Federal regulators on Wednesday fined CBS a record $550,000 for Janet Jackson's ''wardrobe malfunction,'' which exposed the singer's breast during this year's Super Bowl halftime show.

Justin Timberlake blamed a ''wardrobe malfunction,'' and CBS was quick to apologize.

The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to slap each of the 20 CBS-owned television stations with the maximum indecency penalty of $27,500. The total penalty of $550,000 is the largest fine levied against a television broadcaster. Most of the FCC's bigger fines have been against radio stations."

Did they give a reason? Did they think CBS planned it on purpose? ITs a live broadcast, things like that can happen.

They should have run a tape delay.

They did break the rules and should obviously be heald accountable. I believe that 7.5 seconds of commercial time during the superbowl will pay this fine.

In fairness, nobody was delaying sporting events at that time.

Now, CBS and all of their owned stations run a delay on all live programming.

My personal feeling still is that CBS didn't know what was going to happen, but MTV, who produced the halftime, may have. They just cut away too quickly for a human reaction. Of course there's no way to prove that.

Remember, too, that this came during all of the uproar over the "decency on the airwaves" thing when the FCC and Congress were all worked up over the shock jocks.

As I did point out before, the FCC is getting back at CBS through their owned stations because that's where their real power over the networks are. You notice nothing has been said to MTV because they don't broadcast over the air.

The FCC needs to be shut down. They are a bunch of fascists who are motivated by greed and politics - otherwise they would fine Oprah.

-Rudey

MTV didn't broadcast it, CBS did. It doesn't really matter which entity they fine, they're both run by Viacom. Viacom might have a decent civil suit against Jackson and Timberlake.

As dumb as they are, we do have "decency" laws. The FCC is the regulatory body that enforces those laws.

CBS not running a tape delay is like a GLO not carrying liability insurance -- sooner or later, something will happen and it'll cost you.

Did the FCC fine NBC for showing breasts and penises during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics?
No?
Wow- good hypocrisy. Which had more watching? Some football game? Or an international event?

When was this shown? I watched most of those ceremonies and don't even remember nudity.

If it was tasteful/artistic, I figure the FCC would take a different view of it. For example, they didn't fine NBC when they showed Schindler's List a few years ago in full.

I have no clue what you're talking about. All I remember about the open ceremony was how SLOW it was.

Snake, you're right about CBS broadcasting it, but MTV produced it and directed it for CBS. In the final analysis, the FCC hit Viacom hardest the only place it could legally and that is through it's owned stations group.

However, having worked with some of the MTV production types, I just wouldn't put a stunt like this one past them. The cable folks have a whole different mindset when it comes to law and regulations.

What are you talking about???

If this is true I would like to see the breasts.

-Rudey

He made it up. He's a Democrat, they do that sometimes.

I missed it. Guess they did, too.

Oh, ktsnake, law school is making you so smart and noble.

Was this televised in America?? I don't remember this.

And also this is differeny from Janet Jackson's stunt. Some people had issues with Schindler's list being shown as well but it was acceptable because of the context.

Truthfully, I don't think nudity should be banned.

-Rudey

I watched most of the ceremonies and remember nothing of this. NBC, I'm sure had a script in advance. They probably steered clear of this part of the show.

There would have at least been some kind of contraversy had it been shown.

I'm with Rudey, I don't think nudity should be banned either. Nor do I think offensive language should be.

But if it's against the law, it is the FCC that needs to enforce it. I have no problem with Viacom getting hit for this. I hope they turn around and sue Timberlake and Jackson for the cost of the fines + court costs. This was so obviously just a cheap publicity stunt by those two -- although I wouldn't completely put it past MTV to have done it on purpose.

The fine
 

The fine of $550,000 sounds like a lot, but CBS got more than that for a one-minute commercial during the game. And they sold a lot of 'em.

I happened to be watching the "incident" live, and it was nothing. A quick glance, from a distance. Not worth 50 cents, imho.