Nudity @ MindSay

Just saw this story (and a number of variations):

FCC fines ABC over 'NYPD Blue'; network to appeal

LOS ANGELES, Jan 25 (Reuters) - The Federal Communications Commission on Friday said it plans to fine the Walt Disney Co's ABC network $1.4 million for airing an episode of "NYPD Blue" in 2003 that showed a woman's nude buttocks.

The company said it opposes the fine and plans to appeal.

In a notice filed on Friday, the agency said 52 television ABC stations in the Central and Mountain time zones had aired the scene at 9 p.m. in violation of federal restrictions against broadcasting "obscene material" between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The agency said it received "numerous complaints" about the scene, in which a young boy walks in on a nude woman about to take a shower.

See http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USN2530635020080126 for the story in full.

A couple of things came to mind:

* This is a complaint for a show which aired close to five years ago? A show which aired before the whole Janet Jackson incident with the Superbowl?  Nice job, FCC. Way to strike while the iron is hot...

* NYPD Blue had been known for its racy rear shots for years at this point.  The reason this one was singled out, apparently, was because of the "young boy" who walked in.  I didn't watch the episode, but there were no sexual connotations involving the young boy.  The subplot involved the trials and tribulations of a single parent dating while trying to raise a kid. We're also not talking about an extended camera shot here -- it was over in a flash.

* If you're watching NYPD Blue (which, during 2003, used the mandatory TV ratings system -- which meant it could easily be blocked by televisions with the V-Chip installed (which was installed in all TVs for years at that point), you pretty much knew what you were getting into.  If not, the disclaimer at the beginning advising viewer discretion should have helped steer potentially offended people away.  But let's say that someone accidentally stumbled upon that episode of NYPD Blue by chance without the faintest idea what would appear. A buttock! Oh no! Is it really that offensive? Personally, I have two of them.  I simply don't see what the big deal is.

* No. I do see precisely what the big deal is.  Groups like Donald Wildmon's American Family Association instructs its members to blindly send copies of form letters to the FCC en masse to purify the airwaves of certain things they find objectionable.  And the FCC caves to that pressure. And why not? It's giving some of the people what they want while gaining revenue.  Who could argue with that?

Well, ABC is arguing with that. They are appealing the fine and will likely settle for a smaller amount. Not that I have any pity for ABC/Disney which is doing fine economically compared to much of the nation. But still -- this shouldn't be something the FCC should bring up five years after the fact to drum up Republican coffieurs.

Oh -- and one more thing:

* What's more offensive -- someone's bare butt before she steps into the shower, or the droves of people shot in the head by Jack Bauer or any of the other characters on "24?" Where the FUCK has the AFA and the FCC been to combat the violence that apparently has been acceptable while they've been allegedly attempting to "protect the children" from anatomy that all of them have?

Thanks, FCC. Thanks for keeping those airwaves safe.

...about ten minutes ago.

Completely naked...

...and smoked a cigarette.

I felt excited, because for some reason I find joy in doing things out of nowhere.
I put myself in oddly vulnerable situations, for reasons I don't usually understand.
It was fun, because, well...who the fuck does that? I do.

All that and...it's just a comforting feeling sometimes being really fucking cold.

we finished mapp and lucia -season one- last night and then spent about 30 minutes flying newspaper airplanes into the fire.  It doesn't take alot to make two eccentric middleaged people happy. I had cooked apple tarts and Jim had made macaroni and cheese (we call it mako and use penne) I love it really cheesy and filled with fresh minced basil. The replacement wine glass made my Prentice Hicks arrived yesterday  ( did I blog about the crash in the kitchen during renovation that decimated my glassware collection? ) and so we inaugurated it with a fine reisling kabinett that friends had brought over.

 

.

 

And I got some more felting done. and learned quite painfully never to attempt engaging in a conversation, no matter how inane, while stabbing felt with a barbed needle. My puncture wound left blood on the wool and a sore thumb on me. but I have  four more geodes in the works: red, green, violet and pale blue.

 

I saw a review of John Dean's latest book. I know some conservatives I should send it to. ah but I am too cheap. Jim is putting in my dressing room lights. it's only been over a year that I have been making do with one ceiling fixture but now that winter is coming I can't tell blue navy from black in the dimness and some light would be nice. last year at this time I was still rummaging through wardrobe boxes to find clothing because the dressing room had not been done and one had to access it from the hall.  I think it was a after thanksgiving that the wall was opened and I had portland closets outfit the room. but I could be wrong.

 

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMuurty is a huge disappointment but I will give it a chance to pick up bebfore moving on. Jim just finished the House that George built and I may switch to that. It is his conclusion that american popular music and film were inventions of Jews and African Americans. Makes sense to me.

 

bloggingcat  is doing an admirable job and I may have the makings of a book there. but this posting of naked spread eagle photos might be too over the edge even for me. what do you think?

I simply must report on our all afternoon play practice!  First, you have to understand that they've all been practicing for 5 - 6 weeks with the shell of a cast.  The minor roles, for some strange reason, this time being unusually hard to fill.  Tonight was the first time for the whole cast (minus one minor role) to be together on stage & in costume.

 

Performance wise, there were some obvious weaknesses which, I'm certain, will be worked out this week in the various practices leading up to another all day rehearsal on Saturday. 

 

What's interesting to me is the "energy" of each of the cast members.  One might also call it the "motivation" of each one.  We each come from different places and real jobs - if you count delivering pizza a real job.  The female lead is an teen crisis counselor!   A performance is built on the technical aspects of learned lines and blocking, but it's the chemistry that seals it and makes it work ... or not.  I want to tell you that this group of people are wonderful!  I mean, as actors go, we're not ready for Broadway, but ... it's FUN, and it will be entertaining, maybe even thought-provoking!

 

And then there's the naked guy!  Yup!  I didn't realize it when I committed myself, but there is a brief nude scene.  (I'm not sure how I feel about that, but ... I'm committed now and really don't want to back out on them.)  I said as long as it's not me, we're cool!  It's very, ummm, awkward to be introduced for the first time to a young man in lovely white briefs!  lol  I thanked him for his transparency and willingness to be up front with me ... as long as I didn't have to reciprocate!  ;)

 

The point is, this group of people have embraced me and whatever semblence of talent I bring ... I believe this just may be the first of many theatrical adventures, but we'll have to wait and see. 

 

~ B