You knew it was coming: PTC files Emmy complaint
Steve Safran September 1st, 2006
Good Lord, I was kidding. But the Parents Television Council has filed an indecency complaint with the FCC because Helen Mirren said she was glad she didn’t fall “ass over tit” on her way up to accept her Emmy. And the PTC wants every NBC affil that showed it to be fined. L. Brent Bozell of the PTC writes, “It is utterly irresponsible and atrocious for NBC to air this vulgar language during the safe harbor time when millions of children were in the viewing audience. People are getting sick and tired of networks allowing unedited profanity on their award shows in front of millions of youngsters, and with NBC this practice is becoming habitual.”
13 Comments Add your own
1. Michael Gauss | September 1st, 2006 at 5:17 am
Well, of course they’re right. We have to fine them all. You know… for the children.
2. invitedmedia | September 1st, 2006 at 5:21 am
“ass over tit “sounded so much more british.
are you sure you have it right bloke?
3. Steve Safran | September 1st, 2006 at 5:44 am
Quite right, bloke. I have made the correction.
4. Alyssa | September 1st, 2006 at 6:28 am
Some people have too much time on their hands. They could be using it to end genocide in Darfur, or something more meaningful…
5. Mike Escutia | September 1st, 2006 at 7:43 am
They blame NBC but want to punish the affiliates, not NBC itself. Brilliant move.
Can’t the FCC fine NBC itself?
6. Don | September 1st, 2006 at 9:09 am
Why don’t they just fine the entire British population for having such a vulgar phrases in their language?
Which brings us to the point if she had said, “I tripped up the bloody stairs?”.. would their be fines?
If she was drunk or “pissed” would the FCC hit her up?
What if her microphone was left on when she visited the “loo”? (A big Cheerio to CNN)
The folks at the Parents Club and the FCC are out of control.
7. flotsam | September 1st, 2006 at 12:24 pm
We’ve reached a point where the “interest groups,” aided and abetted by this Administratons peculiarities, have so terrified the communication and enteertainment industries in all their forms, that before long communication in any open and frank way will be impossible.
Once upon a time we were the nation of and with Four Freedoms guaranteed.
Now.
Freedom of Religion is under attack.
Freedom of Speach is under attack.
Freedom from want? Well millions in the country would wonder about that one.
Freedom from fear? Speak your mind and find out about that one.
What ever would FDR speak about now if he were writing that 1941 speech now that we seem to be or are becoming the nation of No Freedoms.
8. Lost Remote TV Blog&hellip | September 1st, 2006 at 1:51 pm
[...] Broadcast execs are doing some early Labor Day celebration with this news: Brent Bozell, founder and president of the Parents Television Council, said today he’ll step down on Jan. 1. Unfortunately, he’ll still be on the board, but perhaps his upcoming departure will bring some sanity to the group that’s largely responsible for fueling the government’s indendency crackdown. Earlier today, Bozell’s group filed a complaint with the FCC over the “fall over ass and tit” comment by Helen Mirren during NBC’s Emmy broadcast. [...]
9. BuzzMachine » Blog &hellip | September 1st, 2006 at 4:38 pm
[...] Our self-appointed national nanny, Brent Bozell, is stepping down as head of the so-called Parents Television Council. Well, big fucking deal. But perhaps Bozell knows that he has strung this shtick out about as long as it can go. I do believe we may be at the point of a backlash. His partner in crime against the First Amendment, our own FCC, is desperately trying to backpedal on its latest rulings; I hope the courts do not let them and we get a real challenge of their unconstitutional behavior. But Bozell et al keep plowing ahead, filing complaints against Helen Mirren for falling ass over tit at the Emmys. One of the worst offenders in this attack on free speech has been, most shamefully, my colleagues in the news business, who report the utterances of the reputed PTC as if they are news (bloggers don’t retype press releases; reporters do!). Farewell, Bozell. I only wish you were really disappearing, not merely finding another excuse to issue a press release. [...]
10. Joel | September 3rd, 2006 at 12:37 pm
The reality is people are getting sick and tired of Parents Television Council filing complaints.
11. Jim | September 3rd, 2006 at 12:46 pm
Geez!
I thought your were kidding as well. These people have no sense of humor — and no understanding of context!
Funny, but I used to respect the PTC for making fair assessments to aid parents in deciding if their kids should watch certain shows. Unfortunately, the group has evolved into an extremist organization determined to inflict their own interpretation of decency standards on the viewing public. The fact that the FCC has gone along with many of their “recommendations” sets a scary precedent.
Watch out cable television. . .something tells me the beast of bureaucracy will find a way to place your programming on their radar screen!!
12. Lorraine Grimes | September 5th, 2006 at 10:03 am
What Ms. Mirren actually said was “arse over tit”, the literal British colloquialism not the Americanized “ass over tit”.
I wonder if that might make a difference? (she stil said “tit” after all - LOL).
God, don’t you LOVE Helen Mirren???
13. Sam | January 18th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Wow, thanks for the excellent information!
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