As I'm sure you've heard by now, the FCC has levied a $1.4 million fine against Disney for an episode of NYPD Blue. The fine comes as a reaction to an extended shot of Charlotte Ross's bare butt in an episode of NYPD Blue back in 2003.
Now, I'm sure we all have different opinions about the fine. Some of you think it's wrong to fine creative works for their mode of expression, even a TV show. Some of you think the fine is appropriate because you don't want your children accidentally seeing any nudity and some of you, like me, think that Disney and ABC should be given an award for showing us what is very possibly the most beautiful butt ever seen on film.
What amazes me is that the FCC didn't fine Disney when they showed Sharon Lawrence's butt or even the horror that was Dennis Franz's naked behind but the magnificent backside of Charlotte Ross is grounds for a fine.
In case you haven't seen it, treat yourself to the clip below.
In keeping with this post's sexist attitude, here is this week's question...
Who was the first person to use the word "tits" on NYPD Blue?
I can't believe it took a whole day for someone to get the correct answer, but Big Ted finally came through. Congratulations!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-28-2008 @ 11:48AM
Cincinnati Mike said...
I think the producers should be fined $1.4million for asking us to believe that Charlotte Ross would bang Dennis Franz.
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1-28-2008 @ 12:19PM
MacGuffin said...
Great clip. ABC should just pay he fine because it was worth it to see Charlotte Ross in all her glory.
But then again, it would mean that the crazy Christians win in what is really a pretty tame clip. If Dennis Franz bent her over and did her Kobe style, then they would have something to complain about.
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1-28-2008 @ 12:46PM
Jimmy said...
I don't recall who was the first person to say "tits," but who can forget Sipowicz on the steps of the courthouse yelling, "Ipso 'dis, you pissy little bitch!"
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1-28-2008 @ 2:25PM
Brent McKee said...
The scene could have aired at any time of the day in Canada without so much as a single protest. And that is literally true. There is no sexual component to the scene and so long as it is appropriately labeled and there's a warning given at the beginning (and I think maybe at each commercial break) there's no problem.
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1-28-2008 @ 3:17PM
Lou said...
Yes, fine 'em.
I'm all for some Charlotte Ross, I even watched "Beggars and Choosers" hoping for this kind of scene. but that was cable.
Come on, that scene was more than a little gratuitous. this wasn't a little flash of cheek, and to have a kid in the scene? (albiet a lucky little bastard of a kid) plus side boob? any one bit might be excusable but combined? I'd say If fines are leveed against others, than this qualifies, too.
PS, when is that episode coming out in HD?
1-28-2008 @ 3:40PM
Brent McKee said...
Lou, I have a suspicion the kid wasn't even there. If I were the producers and I needed the shot, and I needed his head placed just so, I'd green screen the shot of the kid and insert him over Charlotte's body. The shot from between the legs is such that she (or a body double) could have been wearing a swimsuit for all we know.
The scene may indeed have been gratuitous but my point about the Canadian regulations was that it wasn't indecent. As for the comment about this not being a "flash of cheek...plus side boob" check out some of the other "NYPD Blue" nude scenes which haven't received FCC fines. They are equivalent and the fact that they weren't fined indicates that a precedent had been established that the current FCC commissioners are breaking with.
1-28-2008 @ 3:20PM
const said...
MacGuffin, wow, what a bigot you are.
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1-28-2008 @ 3:42PM
ac said...
Pretty much anyone who was on NYPD Blue did an ass shot. Thats what the shown was known for. Why is it suddenly a problem now? If you are going to fine them do it for Franz's behind (eww!).
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1-28-2008 @ 4:11PM
Nathaniel said...
I can't believe they're doing this. There really isn't anything offensive about the shot, it's just there. That's a lot more than I thought TV could get away with! But I'm glad, as I'd love to see this nation finally moving away from such ridiculous conservatism on the human body - something so natural!
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1-28-2008 @ 4:27PM
kevjohn said...
Everyone knows NYPD had this kind of content from the start of the show's run. So why would a parent be allowing their child to watch this show if it was so objectionable to them? Sure they may have just stumbled upon the channel by accident, but they could have just as easily stumbled upon Skin-emax or an R-rated movie on HBO if their parents aren't watching them or using their V-chips.
And why did it take 5 years for the Feds to determine this was over the line?
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1-28-2008 @ 6:42PM
D.L. said...
Nice placement of the kid's ears.
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1-28-2008 @ 7:22PM
Alex99 said...
I seem to remember a rather amazing scene from an earlier season (maybe season 2) of Sylvia and Andy in the shower. Sharon Lawrence is awesome as well. Wonder why no fine for that one? Maybe the statute of limitation is up for that.
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1-28-2008 @ 7:44PM
BigTed said...
Andy (to John Kelly): "When's the last time you tried to grow tits?"
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1-28-2008 @ 10:15PM
DRC said...
So seeing a womans butt will lead to the downfall of society and cost the network $1.4 million, but seeing someones brain splattered all over the floor on CSI is considered what----art!?!
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1-29-2008 @ 9:30AM
Lou said...
all well and good points
Brent, oddly enough, It doesn't even matter if the kid actor was in the room or not. (I do doubt that the producers went thru the production hoops you outlined, tho). The implication of the boy seeing her nude would be objectionable enough, in this context.
If I were to stumble across this while flipping channels, I would say it was fine-worthy (this is not to say I agree with the concept of fining in the first place)
I don't watch NYPD Blue but I know it has this reputation - something that South Park mocked mercilessly in the "It hits the fan" episode- so if this is the only incident where there was a fine then I would say that it's unfair and make sure that every incident from here on is treated the same.
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1-30-2008 @ 9:12AM
Brendon Carr said...
Plus there's the clear evidence of the terrific shave/wax job she had in preparation for the scene. Waxing is clearly obscene!
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