FCC Is Investigating Super Bowl Show: Entire Halftime Performance Faces Indecency Standards Test

Washington Post ^ | February 3, 2004 | Frank Ahrens and Lisa de Moraes

[new cruelty]

The Federal Communications Commission launched an investigation into Sunday's controversial Super Bowl halftime show yesterday and FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell telephoned Mel Karmazin, president of CBS parent Viacom Inc., to express his outrage, saying the entertainment giant should have known what was going to transpire during the show.

The FCC probe will encompass the entire halftime program -- including the brief exposure of singer Janet Jackson's breast and the sexualized dance routine precipitating it -- to determine if it violates indecency standards set in law and enforced by the FCC.

If indecency violations are found, each of Viacom's 200 owned and affiliate stations could face a penalty of up to $27,500. FCC officials said the agency may also pursue penalties against CBS and the individual performers, Jackson and Justin Timberlake

[AUH2OY2K]

So a warning would have sufficed for the Super Bowl as well? Hannity ran it 7 times, often in slow motion. He also had two enlarged stills which were kept on the screen for several seconds-much longer than the original incident.

Justice dictates that if CBS is to be held accountable, Hannity should receive a much stiffer penalty for his repeated transgressions.

[Eva]

I hope that this flap points out the derth of talent in popular music and inspires some kind of turn around. I think that if sponsors begin to dry up, along with the less money due to internet shareware, the music industry might begin to change and return to something enjoyable.

[FITZ]

And all this sex on television isn't even sexy. Janet Jackson standing there exposing her breast wasn't sexy, just kind of pathetic --- sort of like her brother grabbing his crotch in his more recent songs.

[Michael Barnes]

Your right Fenris6, you can't lock em up or shelter the kids till their 16. But would you rather gov't tell us what is right and wrong, or explain what a jackass jackson was and why our kids shoud seek to never affilaite themselves with such? I personally prefer the latter. The less intervention I can avoid in my kids lives by gov't, the more I can teach them what I think should be taught. Last night was perfect example of what kids should not do or learn. We can change our kids lives. We can also use things like last night as an example (if by chance, thing's like last night sneak by us). Or we can rely on gov't to do it for us. I shudder at the thought of today's congress and beauracacies having complete control over that. No thanks.

[Fenris6]

"I see this whole thing as nothing more than more Gov't intrusivness right around the corner"

?? Please explain how the FCC enforcing rules already on the books equates to "more government intrusiveness right around the corner".

I'd be on your side in this, but I just don't see it. More likely, your pushing this line to cover the weakness of your position. Or you just want to think of yourself as non-judgemental ... at the expense of some girl's dignity.

[Michael Barnes]

Uh, no...I don't let my kids watch the drivel known as MTV..I also use TV as an example of what is wrong "out there"...

My kids are younger, but I can tell you I monitor the toons they watch as well. Believe it or not, a saving grace has been boomerang. Cartoon Network just sucks IMO. And (even though I am a metal head), my kids like the cuntry channels. Been trying to keep up with those as well...

[FITZ]

I guess I thought football games might still be a little wholesome family entertainment. I should have known not to let my kids watch a big football game --- that there was going to be this kind of lame scene going on.

[Michael Barnes]

damn...damndamndamn,,.,,!!

TYPO!!! PROMISE!

Not cuntry, country!!

sorry,.

[PMCarey]

I guess I thought football games might still be a little wholesome family entertainment.

Football is wholesome :-) - but I haven't watched a Superbowl halftime show since that other Jackson did a little crotch-grabbing of his own a few years ago.

The moral of the story for me is that you can't trust them, so don't.

[Fenris6]

Well - apologies for the personal digs, I'll take any retaliation on the chin - but I still think that Viacom should be made into an object lesson. At the very least - Viacom should be *publicly* banned from ever being entrusted to host another such venue.

Really, you shouldn't have to worry that your kids will be exposed to S&M wanna-be's dressed in bondage outfits during the Superbowl. There's a line. It was crossed.

[Dianna]

But alas, What I do not want is teh Gov't trying to telling me (or you) what is right and wrong.

The government is no more and no less than "we the people". Unless something is contained in the Bill Of Rights, we get to decide. In THIS area, we haven't had problems with too many laws and too many restrictions. Decency laws have been around forever. The problems came when the laws weren't enforced.

There is always going to be a balancing act between community standards and individual rights and responsibilities. We've let it drift too far.

[FITZ]

My kids like rock --- even when very small that's what they liked which is good --- no one wants MTV and we all get along about music. Pop music would be forbidden on other grounds in my house --- but the raunch makes it even more so.

[Elliott Jackalope]

Aw, c'mon. What's not to like about a washed-up old hag flashing her titty in public? Don't you ever hang out in dive bars?

[Michael Barnes]

If I locked my children in the house and never let them out you'd be criticizing me then, too. So, what am I supposed to do?

Oh Dianna, I couldn't criticize ya for that...My wife and I have often wondered if we wouldn't be better off jsut locking our kids up in the biggest closet in the house and hoping for the best.

That was a joke (as it is a joke between my wife and I as well)..

Hey, it's a hard deal as far as I am concerend. And I KNOW it was a hard dealfor my parents when I was growing up. And, I know for a fact that it was hard for my grandparents when my parents were growing up.

But I really have to say, I still have a big problem with "it's the law". Well, the Law has ruled many things you and I would hold in favor right out the window. So, we need to agree to disagree. I for one see nothing good coming out of this. The "flash" of breast" was wrong. The reaction to it will be worse for us all in the long run. You won't change my mind about that..Gov't love's taking power, Gov't hates giving power back to the people. Once we delve further into the slippery slope of what is right and wrong on the airwaves, we're all going to regret it at some point. Gotta hit the rack..thanks for the debate...great points you brought up tonight..

[Fenris6]

Not with minors :) Perhaps its the Jackson Gene. LOL.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I suggest they also check out the lyrics during the rap segment.

[Michael Barnes]

And the networks don't own the airwaves.

Interesitng..Neither do the fed's..I thought the FCC was brought about to curtail stations from stomping all over each other on frequecies..still looking into that...

Another question as well, sicne none of use techincally owns the airwaves, whoseto saywhat is right and wrong? Hell, were pumping this stuff out into space like it's nobodies bizz...

Gotta hit the rack..thanks for the good dialouge, I appreciate it.

Have a good one.

[Dianna]

Justice dictates that if CBS is to be held accountable, Hannity should receive a much stiffer penalty for his repeated transgressions.

Hannity is on cable and H&C is hardly kid fare. I expect political and news shows to often discuss things I don't want my children exposed to. I have had to censor Rush.

I believe there is value in having places to learn about what is going on in the world and to discuss them. They just aren't the place for children. And we all know that.

[FITZ]

Yes --- and Michael Jackson, the child molester's old hag sister at that. Maybe she thinks her pervert brother was getting more attention than herself recently.

[Michael Barnes]

That's just it, your a quote junky..You hide behind quotes instead of engaging in good dialouge.

serious note, thanks for the responses though...I appreciate them.