ABC affiliates consider pulling 'Private Ryan'

“http://money.cnn.com/2004/11/11/news/fortune500/savingpvt_ryan/index.htm?cnn=yes

Happy Veterans Day from some dumbasses! Show the film!”

“To me this is like when NBC showed Schindlers List. You don't edit that film and have the same film. The horror is fundamental to what is being communicated.”

“While I agree the FCC gets a little goofy at times, I doubt they'd fine anybody over "Private Ryan." And if they did, hell, just pay the damn fine to make a statement!”

“The shame of it is that these affiliates are trying to avoid getting fined by the FCC in case there is a complaint lodged. The affiliates are not making a statement. I believe they are just looking at the way the FCC conducts its practices and are erring on the side of caution. The FCC says it won't answer their question about the content of the film beforehand, because it would amount to censorship. Now, there's a bit of a Catch-22 for ya. It may or may not amount to a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation for the affilliates...
last edited: 11/11/04 11:00:31 AM”

“hasn't it been shown before on ABC without it being cut?”

“Maybe that was before Janet Jackson showed us her misbehaving wardrobe, Ewker...”

“That is exactly right Tree. I has aired on ABC. Now with ABC taking the brunt of the fines for the Jackson episode, they are not going to take any more chances.”

“Actually that was CBS, I believe. But, your reasoning is still right. CBS (or whoever aired the Super BOwl) and the other networks are all under the same scrutiny now. Whomever aired it set the precedent that makes things different now for all the networks...
last edited: 11/11/04 11:12:13 AM”

“OOPS. I meant CBS”

“Point is still valid, WK





Unless, of course, we are all mistaken and they are really trying to air, "Shaving Ryan's Privates"
last edited: 11/11/04 11:14:09 AM”

“The FCC did not fine for showing "Schindler's List." It's highly unlikely they would fine for "Private Ryan."”

“You are probably right, Geo. And I personally agree with you. But, these days, you never know...”

“Right Geo, the problem is that after the Janet Jackson boob, no one is going to take the chance. Technically, all they have to do is receive one complaint and they will look into the matter and decide if a fine should be leveled.

Pretty soon, we will not be able to watch any TV.”

“CRAP! I just said BOOB.

I hope Matt doesn't fine me. :o)”

“Gawd, there seems to be nothing that can't be shown on cable. It won't be long and over the air TV will die out in favor of cable, where the FCC tentacles don't reach.

Ads for erectile dysfunction pills are way beyond what could be aired over network TV. Any day I expect graphic demonstrations.”

“I was watching White Men Can't Jump (nothing else on) the other night on FX.

They did not edit anything other than the spots where commercials fit in.”

“I am offend that they would consider pulling Ryans Privates on broadcast TV.

In any case the movie has been shown twice before without fines. That alone makes me think that they could easily fight any fines.”

“Geo, if we are loking for double standards, we can look at this industry as one of the most hypocritical things imaginable. Look at the crap that is glorified on television. Look at how much time and money is spent on glorifying dysfunction. Blatant sexuality is accepted on one hand and browbeaten in other contexts. Looking for consitency? Nothing to see here, folks...”

“The FCC does not police cable TV. Despite what is shown on cable TV, there has been no increase in depravity. It's pretty much still at the same high level it's always been.”

“I was talking about network TV”

“Well, Saturday Night Live gets away with bloody murder. Hell, they even use words that Matt doesn't allow.”

“Sounds like the mow-ron I worked with who was offended because there was female frontal nudity in Schindler's List. You really have some serious issues when nudity is your problem with that flick. People need to get a grip.”

“That's the whole point. You don't know what to expect. chances are they are overreacting. But, with Powell as chairman and the rest of that crew, they could take one complaint and blow it way out of proportion. Like I said, it's a snowball's chance in hell IMO, but the affilliates are not looking through the same glasses as we are...


Just playing devil's advocate here a little”

“This is ridiculuos, no way in hell they'd be fined for showing Saving Private Ryan on veterans day... Powell's from a military family, think about it.”

“The problem is, as I have said above, all it takes is one cheesedick complaint.

ONE PERSON...

If someones writes, calls or e-mails the FCC and complains that they were offended at the broadcast, then the FCC will look into it.

The way they have been receintly suggests that any complaint made will result in a fine.

The new fine is like $250K. Would you take that risk?”

“Ok, Bison. I thought about it. So, they investigate tomorrow and the fine roll in anyway. Now, where does that leave us?”

“In this case I would definitely take the risk, no way in hell they're gonna hand out fines for showing this movie.”

“On that note, I am inclined to agree with you. But, they are thinking conservatively in light of all that has happened...”

“From the guy who the good people of Oklahoma just elected to the US Senate:

Lawmaker Criticizes 'Schindler's List' Airing Wednesday, February 26, 1997

WASHINGTON (Reuter) - A Republican member of Congress Tuesday criticized NBC television's showing of the Holocaust movie ``Schindler's List,'' saying its airing during Sunday family time should outrage parents.

Rep. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, was quoted in a release put out by his office as saying the airing of the highly acclaimed film took network television ``to an all-time low, with full frontal nudity, violence and profanity being shown in our homes.''

His criticism brought a response from Sen Alfonse D'Aamto, a New York Republican, who told the Senate Coburn's statement was ``shocking.''

``To equate the nudity of the Holocaust victims in the concentration camp with any sexual connotations is outrageous and offensive,'' D'Amato said.

``I just wonder if Congressman Coburn is aware that there was a Holocaust, that millions of people died and it's not something anybody should ever forget,'' NBC West Coast president Don Olhmeyer was quoted as saying in Variety, an entertainment industry trade paper.

``NBC is extremely proud of its presentation of this unique award-winning film,'' he said. ``We think that Congressman Coburn's statement should send a chill through every intelligent and fair-minded person in America.''

The broadcast was viewed by 65 million people, more than twice the number who saw it in movie threatres.

Coburn, co-chairman of the Congressional Family Caucus, said that while the film was given a rating for mature adult audiences, ``the fact that it aired on public television on a Sunday evening during a family time should outrage parents and decent-minded individuals everywhere.''

He added: ``I cringe when I realize that there were children all across this nation watching this program. They were exposed to the violence of multiple gunshot head wounds, vile language, full frontal nudity and irresponsible sexual activity.

``It simply should not have been allowed on public television.''

Coburn said the airing of the movie demonstrated that the new TV rating system ``only encourages more sex and violence.''

In contrast, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Reed Hundt, addressing the National Association of Broadcasters on Monday, said: ``NBC's uninterrupted broadcast of 'Schindler's List' last night showed us again the power and glory of broadcast TV.''”

“Republicans are going to have trouble with this guy. He is off the charts!”

“There were complaints after the first showings of Private Ryan, the FCC dismissed them.”

“The question I see is whether ABC and its affiliates have the guts to stand up for what is morally right. That the FCC might fine you is all the more reason to draw a line and make a stand.

But I still don't think, even given that some of the commissioners may not be the brightest bulbs in the chandelier, that they would assess a fine in this particular case, and to cave on on a supposition is to admit that the prudes have won. We're not talking here about blatant sexual content. We're talking about a movie about a war in which real people faced death and destruction. It would be highly unusual if they didn't use off color language.”

“These are "Red States", no?”

“I've actually shown this film to a class of high school students, with parental permission.

One scene I remember had the phrase FUBAR in it, which has the F word in it. There are also some incredibly gory scenes in this film. Soldiers holding onto severed arms and the like.

It is a great, great film. But I could see families with young children being very upset if this were on at 8 or even 9PM.

But that's the problem with censorship. Its importance is in the eye of the beholder.”

“Sounds like Coburn is a dumb ass or just likes headlines. Those aren't good headlines though.”

“Then the parents of young children should pay closer attention to their children's viewing habits.

Don't get me started there.”

“I agree WK. I have a five year old and wouldn't dare let him be within earshot of this film. I think you call that parenting. It's a great, great film though.

Good for you lurker. Considering the average persons lack of understanding or appreciation of history it's good they saw it. I'll bet they had no idea what their grandfathers accomplished.”

“RL, that raises an interesting question. Why is it that kids can watch gratuitous violence (PG13) but not a film where violence causes dismemberment or real death? Maybe this is why some people don't value life or see that violence is bad?”

“There's nudity in Schindlers list?

Why can kids watch gratuitous vilonce but not a nekkid shower scene?

nekkid bad - killing good.

This is why we are a violent society geo, people getting violent and not nekkid, breeds more violence from frustration, etc.

An evil cycle.

We should all get nekkid to stop the violence!”

“Yes Dayhiker, We will be welcoming our first into this crazy world in March. I agree that 5 is too young. What about 10?

I feel that children at some point should watch this movie as well as Schindler's List as well as Gettysburg and other historic movies. There are many out there that have been done well. I think the parent (s) need to watch the movie with their child to explain what is happening as it happens.”

“Geobeet, I agree.

I just think that it is interesting who draws the line.

A holocaust film might be less likely to be censored in a place with a large Jewish population than in, say, Oklahoma.

Saving Private Ryan might receive fewer complaints near a military community than near a Mennonite area.

What is objectionable to one person might not be for another. Does the need to show the reality of WWII outweigh the need of parents not to have their kids see someone lose a limb?

Does the need to protect families from objectionable viewing outweigh the need to see the realities of beheadings and downed soldiers in Iraq?”

“BM - there is male frontal nudity in Schindlers.

I'd have a hard time with a 10 year old seeing Ryan, but then I don't have a 10 year old yet. I may feel different in 5 years.”

“All good points.”

“There is some topless female nudity in Schlinder's as well.

Right on the 10 year old. It will be something either you do or don't do.”

“BM - the Southern humorist Lewis Grizzard used to have saying about nekkid. Naked means that you don't have any clothes on. N, E, double K, by God I, D means you ain't got no clothes on and yo up to something.”

“Sorry. More of my sometimes(?) inappropriate humor.

On another note - anyone been to the Holocaust Museum in DC? Might have made the holocaust 1000x more real for me.

If you can get through it with no outward emotional "display" then there is something disturbingly wrong with you.

I recommend it to all but will probably never take anyone there and might never go back myself.
last edited: 11/11/04 1:56:36 PM”

“My 15 year old could watch either movie. I don't think I'd let my 7 year old watch either and my 3 year old is definately out.

I always know what my kids are watching (and limit the time spent).

...That is when I'm not smoking pot with my homosexual neighbor while discussing how much we love abortion.
last edited: 11/11/04 1:59:23 PM”

“V - what did you edit on top of that? You left out communing with Mao on your ouija board.”

“Why does your homosexual neighbor love abortion?”

“Oh yea Bear. I was there with my in-laws about 1 month after it opened year ago.

My father in law is Jewish. His family was lucky in that they were all here during WWII. Ther may have been a few distant relatives over in Europe, but he is not aware of them.

Walking through the museum with him magnified it by 10. They did an amazing job with it. I also was sitting next to him in the movie theatre for Schlinder's list.

Powerful stuff.

As well as sitting in front of a WWII veteren that was part of the Normandy landing in Private Ryan. I talked with him briefly before it started. He actually approached me and said, "I have heard the first half hour is very real like, I am sorry if I openly weep."

From the 2nd minute to the end of the beach scene, he was a mess. If his wife wasn't with him I would have offered to sit next to him.

We talked afterwards and he said that he had forgot what it was like. He added that he will probably have night mares for a week.”