Breaking: FCC reviewing NBC's Golden Globes telecast

Los Angeles Times ^

[domeika]

After receiving multiple complaints about NBC's Sunday telecast of the Golden Globes, the FCC said Wednesday that it is reviewing the program for possible violations of indecency rules.

Toward the end of the program, director Darren Aronofsky was caught on camera jokingly making an obscene gesture -- "flipping the bird," as it's commonly called -- at actor Mickey Rourke, who was onstage accepting an acting award for Aronofsky's film "The Wrestler." Rourke and other attendees also salted their speeches with occasional off-color language, some of which was bleeped by NBC censors.

Now the FCC, which regulates decency issues on the broadcast networks, has stepped into the fray. "We received 18 complaints about the Golden Globes telecast," FCC spokeswoman Edie Herman wrote in an e-mail to The Times, "and the commission is reviewing the matter."

An NBC spokeswoman confirmed that it aired the Aronofsky gesture on the live telecast. "On the West Coast, it went to black for two seconds," the spokeswoman e-mailed. "Beyond that, we have no further comment."

Aronofsky's publicist, Karen Samfilippo, said earlier this week that she had not heard anything from NBC about the matter.

The FCC has a mixed record with decency enforcement. The agency fined CBS $500,000 for airing Janet Jackson's notorious "wardrobe malfunction" during the 2004 Super Bowl. But a court overturned the fine last year.

-- Scott Collins

[domeika]

Gee whiz if it only takes 18 people to warrant FCC involvement when someone flips the "bird" then we sure missed the boat with 0bama flipping off McCain. Or did we? Too late to complain? Maybe not. As an aside, it's kinda funny just how stupid some people, including those at the FCC are, because historically, the "bird" comes in response to long-bow archers having their pulling finger (the middle finger) lopped off when caught by the enemy. To rub it in the faces of the enemy, the archers on the battlefield displayed their up-turned middle fingers to proudly show that they still had theirs. So it isn't any kind of obscene gesture at all. But what the hey....we should compalin to the FCC about 0bama's transgression anyway, if for nothing else than to keep poking them in the eye.

[Evil Slayer]

Amazing how it got translated to become the finger for poking up ones private parts.

[Repeal The 17th]

I have always liked the phrase: "Golden Globes"

[billhilly]

He flipped the bird, according to his spokesperson, Karen Samfilippo.

[aruanan]

He flipped the bird, according to his spokesperson, Karen Samfilippo.

But Barry O has done that at least a couple of times.

[John W]

I realize there weren’t exactly an overwhelming number of viewers for this, but, 18 would have to be less than 1% of the total number of people watching.
What we miss these days is the person or entity that will grow a set and respond to some complaints in all areas of life with a reasoned response, kindly telling the complainer in very respectful terms that their complaint has no merit.

[Red Badger]

All 18 of the viewers called in?.....................

[linn37]

That’s what I was thinking.....

[MrB]

Yep, Barry does it,

the crowd and his supporters cheer,

but then when called on it, all deny that that’s what he did.

I have a feeling that this is going to be the way of his entire presidency.

[Bender2]

Re: Darren Aronofsky was caught on camera jokingly making an obscene gesture -- "flipping the bird," as it's commonly called -- at actor Mickey Rourke, who was onstage accepting an acting award for Aronofsky's film "The Wrestler." Rourke and other attendees also salted their speeches with occasional off-color language...

Wazzzzzzzz up with this szhita? No efing prob... during my efing term! Its them efing Republicans we need to get off the airwaves!

[Bender2]

Re: I have always liked the phrase: "Golden... Globes"

Give that lady a cigar... Hell, I've got one handy! Say, Drew, do you smoke?

[jersey117]

Did they call in before or after Rourke made positive comments about Bush?

[Political Junkie Too]

An NBC spokeswoman confirmed that it aired the Aronofsky gesture on the live telecast. "On the West Coast, it went to black for two seconds," the spokeswoman e-mailed.

It always amuses me that the very part of the country where these people live is the part of the country where their behaviors are blacked out by the media.

Why black it out in the west when it already aired in the east? Do we have more delicate sensibilities that must be protected?

-PJ

[From The Deer Stand]

It’s beyond me why anyone wastes time watching these buffoons give themselves awards.

[Larry Lucido]

Some must have called twice.

[Red Badger]

Exactly. Those libs always want more than their share...........

[blackie]

Yep, bring back the ‘Fairness Doctrine’! /sarcasm

[blackie]

Love those Globes!!

[aruanan]

I have a feeling that this is going to be the way of his entire presidency.

You got that right.

[aruanan]

I have a feeling that this is going to be the way of his entire presidency.

"This is not the middle finger that I thought I knew"?