TVSquad

If you haven't heard, 30 Rock and Scrubs are switching time slots starting this Thursday. 30 Rock will now be seen at 9:30 for the rest of the season while Scrubs moves to the 8:30 slot.

A lot of people (including myself) assumed that this was because of the rent "MILF Island" episode of the show. NBC received a lot of complaints about the episode, saying it was too raunchy for the "family hour," the 8pm to 9pm time that has always (sort of) been for family viewing (NBC even touted a "family hour" when they announced their new lineup a few weeks ago). Now comes word from the network that the switch isn't happening because of the controversy. But the real reason is just as interesting.

They're moving the show to 9:30 so it has a better lead-in (The Office) and can give the show more exposure as Tina Fey's new movie Baby Mama opens. The network does say, however, that when the fall rolls around the show will be back in its regular 8:30 time slot after My Name Is Earl.

Edward Wyatt's New York TImes piece questioned whether NBC crossed the line by broadcasting racy material in the "family hour." On both 30 Rock and The Office, the writers let loose, basically presenting what you might call adult rated moments in what NBC asserts is family time. All I have to say to that is, "What? There's a family hour? Since when?" Apparently, I wasn't the only one caught off guard by the raunchiness of the family hour. The Parents Television Council just today rescinded their praise for NBC's claim that programs in the 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. time period would target families. PTC is calling NBC's pledge "hypocritical."

Ever watch a steamy or somewhat violent network promo during the 8:00 hour, or see something particularly risqué at that time and wonder "didn't there used to be a family hour?" Well, Steven Spielberg is wondering the same thing. He told an audience at the International Emmys board of directors meeting that networks need to be more mindful of what they show during times when children may be watching, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

During his on-stage interview, he cited promos for CSI that showed a lot of blood and dissections. Even his favorite new show of the season, Heroes, showed a scene of someone being cut in half. And, since it was during the 9 PM time period, his kids were still awake; he had to send them out of the room.