Top officials from CBS and the National Football League apologized profusely to Congress on Wednesday for the breast-baring incident at the Super Bowl halftime show.
But lawmakers made it clear they want more than apologies for what’s become a growing list of headline-grabbing TV moments that many say have sunk programming standards to new lows.
Reacting to a string of incidents–sparked by Bono dropping the f-bomb on the 2003 Golden Globes, continuing with the Madonna-Britney liplock and culminating with Janet Jackson’s strip show for 90 million viewers–regulators want change.
Many promised to pass legislation to increase by tenfold the fines against stations, networks and even individual performers for violating standards of decency on the TV and radio airwaves.
Lawmakers and the Federal Communications Commission also served notice that cable operators should start to rein in programming. Under current law, the FCC can enforce decency regulations for material broadcast over the free, public airwaves–not through pay-TV cable lines.
But FCC Chairman Michael Powell said all content providers should tone it down.
“Action must be taken by the entire television and radio industry to heed the public’s outcry and take affirmative steps to curb the race to the bottom,” Powell said.
“This industry simply must help clean up its own room.”
The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Powell had sent a letter to the National Cable and Telecommunications Association warning that “the cable industry cannot completely ignore the discontent.”
Sen. John Breaux (D-La.) said the government should find ways to curb indecent content on cable. “It seems interesting that we say … if it’s on just a higher channel number, which you can get just by clicking your channel changer, we’re going to ignore it,” he said. “We ought to look at the whole spectrum of what we get over our televisions.”
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) said another solution may be to force cable and satellite companies to give customers the ability to pick which channels they receive, rather than insist they take all channels included in a “basic” package.Other ideas floated by commissioners and lawmakers included a return of a content-restricted “family hour” on prime-time television, more extensive use of tape and audio delay systems to block indecent acts, and tougher punishments, such as the revocation of broadcast licenses, for repeat offenders.
Both House and Senate panels asked all five FCC commissioners to explain how the system failed viewers during the Feb. 1 halftime show, which featured a duet by singers Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. Timberlake ended the performance by ripping off part of Jackson’s costume to expose her breast to some 90 million TV viewers.
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Jackson and Timberlake have apologized, saying the exposure was an accident. But many viewers said the entire show, which featured sexually provocative dancing and lyrics, was out of bounds. The FCC commissioners, who have received more than 200,000 complaints, agreed.
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Making waves
Janet and Justin weren’t the first to push the envelope on network TV. Remember, separate beds of the ’50s eventually evolved into same-sex kisses of the ’90s. These shows stirred controversy by breaking TV barriers:
“Mary Kay and Johnny” (1947-50)
TV’s first program to show a couple sharing a bed. After the first TV content code was set in 1951, the networks got shy and required separate beds. (Almost 15 years later, “Bewitched” would be the first program to show a couple in bed together regularly.)
“Beulah” (1950-53)
The first nationally televised series to have an African-American as the main character. Ethel Waters played the role first, then Louise Beavers.
“I Spy” (1965-68)
Bill Cosby plays the first black lead in a drama. Cosby’s character also is a professional, which wasn’t yet typical on TV..
“Star Trek” (1966-69) s
Aliens cause the first interracial kiss between Capt. Kirk (William Shatner) and Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols, who is black).
“All in the Family” (1971-79) s
This critically acclaimed show addressed racial prejudice, rape and other sensitive subjects. Considered groundbreaking TV–frank, funny and with great performances.
“Maude” (1972-78)
A spinoff from “All in the Family,” this show stirred up major controversy when the main character, Maude Findlay (played by Bea Arthur), had an abortion.
“The Jeffersons” (1975-1985)
The Jeffersons’ neighbors, Tom and Helen Wills (Franklin Cover and Roxie Roker), are the first interracial married couple on prime-time TV.
“Soap” (1977-81)
ABC received more than 30,000 letters protesting this show before it even aired. Considered too racy and sex-obsessed. Also featured Billy Crystal as Jodie Dallas, an openly gay character.
“Murphy Brown”
(1988-98)
Murphy (played by Candice Bergen) decides to raise her child out of wedlock. Vice President Dan Quayle boosts the show’s ratings by calling the character an example of declining family values.
“Ellen” (1994-98) s
Ellen DeGeneres’ character announces she is a lesbian. DeGeneres plays the first openly gay lead character on TV.
“Chicago Hope” (1994-2000)
The first show to use the s-word during prime time. Some called it hype.
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Some memorable no-nos
– Content codes allowed Lucille Ball’s t character on “I Love Lucy” to be pregnant but no one could say the word (in English, at least).
– Married couple Rob and Laura Petrie on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” slept in twin beds. Even a hug required at least one foot on the floor.
– Sex, drinking, drugs–during the glory days of the content code forget it. The “Will & Grace” character Karen, with her pill-popping, martini-swilling floozy ways, was unimaginable.