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WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a $1.4 million fine against 52 ABC Television Network stations over a 2003 broadcast of cop drama NYPD Blue.
The fine is for a scene where a boy surprises a woman as she prepares to take a shower. The scene depicted "multiple, close-up views" of the woman's "nude buttocks" according to an agency order issued late Friday.
ABC is owned by the Walt Disney Co. The fines were issued against 52 stations either owned by or affiliated with the network.
FCC's definition of indecent content requires that the broadcast "depicts or describes sexual or excretory activities" in a "patently offensive way" and is aired between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
The agency said the show was indecent because "it depicts sexual organs and excretory organs — specifically an adult woman's buttocks."
The agency rejected the network's argument that "the buttocks are not a sexual organ."
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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- Public Discussion (48)
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46
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1.0
{"commentId":1403347,"authorDomain":"listenup"}
the buttocks are not a sexual organ
True.
{"commentId":1403347,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"listenup"}
- 9 votes
#1 - Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:43 AM EST{"commentId":1403478,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}
If we can't have buttocks, why does FOX get to feature the sphincters with %$#@ coming out of them?
{"commentId":1403478,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}
- 23 votes
{"commentId":1403615,"authorDomain":"narky"}
the buttocks are not a sexual organ
I disagree with this incorrect statement. The buttocks are not a sexual reproductive organ. I really want to make a number of sexually-charged comments on this subject, but for the sake of tact I will restrain myself. So, I will let Sir-Mix-A-Lot say it for me:
I like big butts and I can not lie
You other brothers can't deny
That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist
And a round thing in your face
You get sprung
Wanna pull up tough
Cuz you notice that butt was stuffed
Deep in the jeans she's wearing
I'm hooked and I can't stop staring
Oh, baby I wanna get with ya And take your picture
My homeboys tried to warn me
But that butt you got
Make Me so horny
Ooh, rump of smooth skin
You say you wanna get in my benz
Well use me use me cuz you aint that average groupy
Oh yeah, show me the bootaay!
Note: In the event my lovely and sexy wife should read this it is your cutie patootie I am fantasizing about as I make this comment. Hmmmm...I think I'll pay my wife a little bedroom visit...done. Fast, wasn't it?
{"commentId":1403615,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"narky"}
- 7 votes
{"commentId":1403662,"authorDomain":"narky"}
Gratuitous sexual depiction seems to be the norm in the entertainment industry. Hollywood seems to have this impression their TV & movies need to include soft porn innuendo and graphic sex to make them real. A good movie will entertain on its own merits without the sexual exploitations.
{"commentId":1403662,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"narky"}
{"commentId":1404013,"authorDomain":"atonhunter"}
Whoever said this...
the buttocks are not a sexual organ
has obviously never spent time in Brazil :-)
{"commentId":1404013,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"atonhunter"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":1404107,"authorDomain":"SirThinkswaytoomuch"}
has obviously never spent time in Brazil :-)
Rofl...
{"commentId":1404107,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"SirThinkswaytoomuch"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":1406366,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
I stopped watching that show around the time they were showing Dennis Franz's butt - now THAT was offensive.
{"commentId":1406366,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1406899,"authorDomain":"walketim"}
No kidding Pamela! I'd pay for a device that would electronically replace Sean Hannity's head with something other than the flapping buttocks that normally sits on top of his neck. If they can show the line of scrimmage in an NFL game it should be easy to demarc the line of cheek.
{"commentId":1406899,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"walketim"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":1406912,"authorDomain":"walketim"}
Hey guys, please accept my apologies for that last post comparing Sean Hannity's head to a flapping buttocks. That really was not called for. So, to any flapping buttocks out there that might have been offended by this unfortunate comparison, please accept my apologies.
{"commentId":1406912,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"walketim"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1403359,"authorDomain":null}
Patently offensive? Try patently ridiculous.
How are buttocks, in and of themselves, either excretory or sexual?
How is standing in the shower a depiction of a sexual or excretory *act*?
Sounds like they are trying to equate an *organ* with an *act*.
I can't figure out whether the FCC needs refresher courses in grammar or anatomy. Quite possibly both.
{"commentId":1403359,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235"}
- 15 votes
#2 - Sat Jan 26, 2008 5:01 AM EST{"commentId":1403480,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}
Great comment, but how did it get posted with no name? Too bad no one gets this excited about airing lies.
{"commentId":1403480,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}
- 8 votes
{"commentId":1403490,"authorDomain":"thura"}
Must be the said buttocks posting anonymously, trying to keep a low profile in case the FCC tracks him down to Newsvine.
OK, ok, just kidding, don't mean to offend the poster!
{"commentId":1403490,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"thura"}
- 8 votes
{"commentId":1403564,"authorDomain":"bigmomma"}
I've never seen a comment without a name, that's a strange thing!
I just tried to report that comment, and I get something about a new user (no account) ????
{"commentId":1403564,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"bigmomma"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":1403631,"authorDomain":"markthemuse"}
I've never seen a comment without a name, that's a strange thing!
I guess Claude Raines finally got his newsvine account.
{"commentId":1403631,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"markthemuse"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1403895,"authorDomain":"Wheel"}
This is the second time I've seen someone post with no name. I wonder what's up with that.
{"commentId":1403895,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"Wheel"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1406937,"authorDomain":"laef"}
It's a GHOST!
attn: Ghost poster, please leave another comment if you can read me. Are you a supernatural being? send me a friend request.
{"commentId":1406937,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"laef"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1406967,"authorDomain":"ririaroo"}
Nah, it's a staffer posting anonymously.
{"commentId":1406967,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"ririaroo"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1407148,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
It's Jeremy Wo!
{"commentId":1407148,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1407483,"authorDomain":"cobbs"}
Too verbose
{"commentId":1407483,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"cobbs"}
{"commentId":1403485,"authorDomain":"farmer"}
I am with Pamela. Who posted this? Is this the new way we will receive opinions from above? God?
{"commentId":1403485,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"farmer"}
- 5 votes
#3 - Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:44 AM EST{"commentId":1404110,"authorDomain":"SirThinkswaytoomuch"}
Nope, It can't be god, It doesn't have a Sir. in it. XD
{"commentId":1404110,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"SirThinkswaytoomuch"}
{"commentId":1403494,"authorDomain":"thura"}
Oh, please. FCC needs to take their heads out of their own buttocks!
Besides that was in 2003, did the FCC just wake up or something?
{"commentId":1403494,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"thura"}
- 5 votes
#4 - Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:50 AM EST{"commentId":1403526,"authorDomain":"cobbs"}
First off the show was hyped as being the first to show buttocks, male and female, along with side nudity. No one watching it was unaware of what might be seen. It is my understanding that there were even warnings before and during the show to give people a chance to change the channel. There was no outcry of any substance to have it removed from the air.
Secondly; there must be a statue of limitations on how far back the FCC can go to percicute a network. I believe for bad drama series it's 15 minutes. Give me a break this was 5 years ago
Lastly; if the FCC is trying to protect me or my children from seeing something we all have attached to our own bodies then they need to look inside themselves and ask why they think it's offensive. The buttock is a big muscle covered in skin. We all have one. It is not a sexual organ. The only excretory act here is coming from within the FCC and the Bush administration.
{"commentId":1403526,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"cobbs"}
- 6 votes
#5 - Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:12 AM EST{"commentId":1403552,"authorDomain":"cobbs"}
{"commentId":1406757,"authorDomain":"iarnuocon"}
The buttock is a big muscle covered in skin. We all have one.
Hopefully, most of us have two!
It is not a sexual organ.
Indeed. If the FCCs argument is taken at face value, then a lot more fines need to be levied. I believe "skin" is a sexual "organ" in exactly the same way as buttocks. So are "lips." And especially the "tongue." For that matter, significant portions of the population are titillated by feet.
Personally, I'm a sucker for a really nice smile.
Better just prohibit any TV, at all. Yeah, that's the ticket.
{"commentId":1406757,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"iarnuocon"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":1406882,"authorDomain":"cobbs"}
I keep thinking of all the women in thongs on shows like Las Vegas. What is the difference between that and what you'd see in the shower?
{"commentId":1406882,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"cobbs"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1403562,"authorDomain":"replytoj001"}
Let me understand this.........
An episode from a 2003 broadcast of cop drama NYPD Blue showed a woman's buttock........o.k.
2003???? Let me check my calendar..........January 2008......
Hello'''''''''''''
Nothing like getting a timely review.......sorry, for this to even be effective it should have been immediate, now it is just too late.
replytoj001
{"commentId":1403562,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"replytoj001"}
- 2 votes
#6 - Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:38 AM EST{"commentId":1403655,"authorDomain":"lilorphant"}
This is ridiculous, ABC, NBC, CBS should just go cable, the fines will destroy them sooner or later. I like the method of censure I employ in my home. It works just fine whne you use the remote control "channel" button.
I used to live along the Canadian border and got their regular channels for years, they have no problem with nudity, yet I think they have standards about good taste. Or maybe they just have better sense, it never seemed offensive, gratuitious, or "staged". I think we are the only country that makes a big deal about this, except for those Middle Eastern ones.
{"commentId":1403655,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"lilorphant"}
- 3 votes
#7 - Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:25 AM EST{"commentId":1403665,"authorDomain":"onlywords-6"}
Some people have far too much time on their hands.
{"commentId":1403665,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"onlywords-6"}
- 1 vote
#8 - Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:36 AM EST{"commentId":1403733,"authorDomain":"jasengroves"}
Why are these people complaining about nude buttocks on television anyway? Does it make them feel like a better parent if they voice their opinion? How about this: They'd be a better parent if they didn't let their children watch television in the first place.
Or are they offended by nude buttocks? I mean, what traumatic experience did that person have to live through to find Dennis Franz's nude buttocks to be a harrowing experience?
On second thought, Maybe ABC should be punished for exposing me to Dennis Franz's nude buttocks.
But seriously, I think there's a group of people that are just waiting to be offended. Over anything. They're waiting until something slips by that just tweaks the hair on the back of their necks wrong so they can raise a stink over it and ruin the fun for everyone else. These people are what holds us back from evolving anymore than we already have.
{"commentId":1403733,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"jasengroves"}
- 3 votes
#9 - Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:09 AM EST{"commentId":1403753,"authorDomain":"ezeques"}
{"commentId":1403904,"authorDomain":"mcrutchfield"}
I need my government to protect me from my butt. Seriously?
Is this really the role of a government of free people?
What would happen if there was no FCC at all? Do we really believe there would be hardcore porn on between Sesame Street and the Electric Company? Really?
Are we really so incompetent as a people that we need some appointed group deciding what can be on the idiot box?
I submit that it is because of this madness that the porn industry thrives in this country; we must be the most sexually repressed people alive. If we can't handle sex on the idiot box, we have no business calling ourselves "free".
{"commentId":1403904,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"mcrutchfield"}
- 5 votes
#11 - Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:12 AM EST{"commentId":1404899,"authorDomain":"caroleroach"}
The really funny thing about this for me is in just thinking about how we came to be here, i.e., without clothes. Then I think if we were meant to go around without them we would have been born that way . Hmph! Now following that thought further, if we all took our clothes off to-day we would be thoroughly amused for approximately one whole day and then? Ho hum!
{"commentId":1404899,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"caroleroach"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1403927,"authorDomain":"caroaber"}
Is Colin Powell's son still the head honcho of the FCC? He targeted radio shock jock Howard Stern for indecency fines also. He got the job through nepotism, had no broadcasting background, and then was quick to levy fines against people and corporations. No matter who wins the next election, I can look forward to at least some housecleaning of bureaucrats in government posts.
{"commentId":1403927,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"caroaber"}
#12 - Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:19 AM EST{"commentId":1404100,"authorDomain":"stolte-sawa"}
The agency rejected the network's argument that "the buttocks are not a sexual organ."
Yeah, buttocks aren't an organ of any kind. They're flesh and muscles. They're about as much an organ as the sphincter, and they'll never show that on primetime. Incidentally, how does the FCC feel about Coppertone and every diaper ad you've ever seen?
{"commentId":1404100,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"stolte-sawa"}
- 5 votes
#13 - Sat Jan 26, 2008 12:25 PM EST{"commentId":1406120,"authorDomain":"Henryvii"}
Oh FCC, never before have you been more irrelevant.
{"commentId":1406120,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"Henryvii"}
- 4 votes
#14 - Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:17 AM EST{"commentId":1406155,"authorDomain":"SHSDavid"}
I recall being offended by this one tv show in 1995. I wonder if i can sue for all the distress it caused me.
come on.
{"commentId":1406155,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"SHSDavid"}
- 1 vote
#15 - Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:59 AM EST{"commentId":1406336,"authorDomain":"ezeques"}
{"commentId":1406393,"authorDomain":"badblueslady"}
Buttocks, sexual organs? One should ask the Greeks and Gays...
{"commentId":1406393,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"badblueslady"}
- 1 vote
#17 - Sun Jan 27, 2008 9:26 AM EST{"commentId":1406969,"authorDomain":"agio"}
This story would get much more attention if the headline was just Nude Buttocks. Leave the rest of the details to the lede.
{"commentId":1406969,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"agio"}
#18 - Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:49 PM EST{"commentId":1407216,"authorDomain":"pagn"}
I am so surprised that they were fined so much money...I have seen all kinds of sexual organs on TV and no one seems to care...buttocks..I can tell they have never been to Las Vegas ! ! !
{"commentId":1407216,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"pagn"}
#19 - Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:11 PM EST{"commentId":1416420,"authorDomain":"witchofthenorth"}
Well I'm late to the party but I just have to say - this is a cop show right? Fairly graphic on the violence side, pretty good chance of seeing a dead, wounded bleeding human body or a drug-riddled, unhealthy one? And that's okay.
But no bare bums - only in America ;-)
{"commentId":1416420,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"witchofthenorth"}
- 6 votes
#20 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:34 AM EST{"commentId":1417119,"authorDomain":"walketim"}
Excellent point. Something my late father instilled in me (and I am still amazed at the man) was that war and violence were pornographic but the nude human form was divine art.
{"commentId":1417119,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"walketim"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":4006430,"authorDomain":"pdham"}
every one i know has a butt yes some look better than others but we all have one my kids know that tyey have one doesnt seem like a big deal my dog used to lick his now that was rude i really dont think nudeity is any big deal who makes these rules anyway the more you shelter children the more unprepared they are for events that will come up this all comes from some religious uptight asexual closet masterbater with too much power who thinks there beliefes are suprior to the rest heck i was born nude how bout you
{"commentId":4006430,"threadId":"208901","contentId":"1256235","authorDomain":"pdham"}
#21 - Mon Nov 10, 2008 4:45 PM EST{"commentId":10405144,"authorDomain":"breelaboy"}
{"commentId":10429106,"authorDomain":"brianalampton"}
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