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antiTainment NEWS: NYPD Blue & ER Censored Following Janet Jackson Breast Incident


02-11-04 Keavin
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The fallout from Janet Jackson�s breast baring Super Bowl half time show has now reached prime time network dramas. The networks are taking it upon themselves to censor questionable content in hit prime-time shows. Last week a scene in ER where an elderly women�s breast was shown for briefly received a pixel overdub from NBC. Now ABC is editing an upcoming episode of NYPD Blue to head off any controversy. 

Long known for taking risks, the show that shows actor�s naked backsides, �NYPD Blue� has an upcoming episode that features a 15-second sex scene. ABC is said to be considering taking a knife to the scene for affiliates in the Central and Mountain time zones where the show airs at 9:00 PM. East and West coast viewers will most likely have the full episode to watch, even if the ABC �trim� goes into effect. 

However, there are contrasting reports that the trim will even take place and it�s not even clear if the sex scene in this episode is the one causing ABC concerns.  

The show�s producer Steven Bochco told USA today that he refused to edit the episode in question and added that ABC could take it upon themselves to edit the scene out, "I can't stop them, but I think it's really lame."

Bochco is puzzled that the scene has been called into question as it�s tamer than scenes which have run in previous episodes. "To suddenly find objectionable something that three days earlier would not have been is a hysterical knee-jerk response," he says.
What is ABC�s side of the story? The issued a rather ambivalent statement, "At this point any discussions we have had with NYPD Blue, regarding the episode  are preliminary. As we move forward in the process we will have more definite discussions regarding any issues pertaining to broadcast standards."

So folks if you are looking for a little TNA on TV, even geriatric TNA, you are going to have to tune into Cable because it looks like the networks are now scaling back their risk taking, no longing wanting to skirt the edges in hopes of higher ratings. 
 


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