FCC Seeks To Fine ABC $1.4M For Indecent "NYPD Blue" Episode

[Amerigo Vespucci]

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."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/26/fcc-seeks-to-fine-abc-1_n_83377.html

[LeftyMom]

1. The agency rejected the network's argument that "the buttocks are not a sexual organ."

The FCC are a bunch of perverts. :rofl:

[DarkTirade]

2. By that logic

they wouldn't be allowed to show hands or mouths either. :P

*edit* or feet if you're into that.

[Deja Q]

3. And I thought it was because Ricky Schroeder was in it...

Now he took off his shirt to parade his chest in "Silver Spoons" - that alone deserves NBC a fine of $1.5 billion...

[Deja Q]

4. How the hell does one patent something offensive?

Somebody's gonna get rich of Seth MacFarlane's works real quick if he doesn't make the patent first...

[no name no slogan]

5. They fine for Charlotte Ross's ass, but they're not suing for Dennis Franz's naked ass?

There is no justice.