What's Wrong with this Picture?

[adarian_too]

ABC calls "MNF" skit a mistake

By Dan Caesar
Of the Post-Dispatch
11/17/2004

ABC apologized Tuesday for airing a bawdy pre-game skit featuring Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens (above) and Nicollette Sheridan, an actress on the network's "Desperate Housewives" series.

The racy skit introducing ABC's "Monday Night Football," in which an actress from the network's "Desperate Housewives" program disrobed while trying to seduce Philadelphia's Terrell Owens, has caused the NFL despair and led to an apology Tuesday from ABC.

"We have heard from many of our viewers ... and we agree that the placement was inappropriate," ABC officials said in a statement. "We apologize."

ABC often uses the "MNF" opening segment to tie the game to other shows it airs or to something timely in pop culture. But this connection to an ABC program did not play well with NFL officials, who called it "inappropriate and unsuitable for our 'Monday Night Football' audience."

The Eagles said in a statement: "It is normal for teams to cooperate with ABC in the development of an opening for its broadcast. After seeing the final piece, we wish it hadn't aired."

In a bit taped Friday that lasted about a minute and a half before ABC's telecast of the Philadelphia-Dallas game, "Desperate Housewives" actress Nicollette Sheridan is seen in a locker room trying to persuade Owens to skip the game to be with her. She appears to be wearing only a towel, and after Owens rebuffs her she finally drops the towel and Owens agrees to join her. "Oh, hell, the team's going to have to win without me," he says as the actress jumps into his arms. Although no frontal nudity is shown, it is implied that she is naked.

The incident comes less than two months after CBS was fined $550,000, a record, by the Federal Communications Commission for violating its decency standards when one of singer Janet Jackson's breasts was exposed during the Super Bowl telecast in February.

Some have said that the skit Monday is more egregious because it was planned, whereas the Jackson incident supposedly was an accident.

"I couldn't believe it," Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney told The Los Angeles Times. "It's a disgrace. ... When they have a football player and they're in a dressing room and they're selling our shield, our product, they've got to have some idea of correctness. It's very insensitive. ... The Janet Jackson thing was bad, I'm not lessening that. This thing, this was worse."

Interestingly, ABC has been airing "MNF" on a five-second delay this season to be able to delete any objectionable incidents or language. And the incident happened about 9 1/2 months after ESPN - which is owned by Disney, as is ABC - dropped "Playmakers" under pressure from the NFL. That was a fictional series in which pro football players were portrayed as womanizers, among other unfavorable characteristics.

So the NFL was unhappy again with the incident Monday.

"While ABC may have gained attention for one of its other shows, the NFL and its fans lost," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press.

Owens told The Philadelphia Enquirer the hubbub was an overreaction.

"This is the same kind of stuff we see on soap operas every single day. ... They sell products like milk with this kind of stuff. ... I really don't understand why this whole situation is being made into such a big problem."

Locally, the skit and game aired on KDNL, and Channel 30 general manager Tom Tipton said Tuesday night that he knew of only two calls his station received about the bit.

"It's hard to predict these kind of things," he said. "Sometimes, what you think are the smallest things upset people the most, and what you think are big things are hardly noticed. But I think ABC did the right thing, saying they were wrong and apologizing. And I apologize on our behalf, too."

Let me see if I can get this straight? The NFL is not OK with this skit, but it is OK with "The Twins" exploitation? It is not OK with the sexual innuendo of the skit, but it is OK with Viagra's innuendo that the wife can't get her hubby hard?

I can hear that poor, innocent child now ... "Mommy. Why does daddy need a pill rather than you to enjoy better quality and strength? Mommy. Is erectile dysfunction your fault? Mommy. Why is Viagra healthy and the skit not? Mommy. Mommy."

[viper]

Hypocrites!!!

[txramsfan]

I was just mad because they used a woman who has had more plastic surgery than the Gloved one himself.

Plus, Terrell Owens with a woman? That dosen't really "fit" does it?

[AvengerRam]

"Daddy, what's an erection lasting four hours, and why does it require immediate medical attention?"

[UtterBlitz]

I actually like the twins bit, but the problem that I see with this kind of skit is that young girls are easily influenced and it seems the tv stations are ok with sending the message that it is ok for women to be dis-robed by some scruffy looking guy, who is famous for who knows what, and that we should want to sleep with someone like TO. Why is that? Because he has money, or is famous, or infamous, depending upon how you look at him. The message is being sent that woman are objects for the man's taking. I don't like it, not one bit.

Yea soap operas are out there and parents tell their kids not to watch them. Should parents have to tell the kids not to watch football either because it is a grown up show?

I am still ok with the twins. They just look good. They don't strip.

yeah.. but i bet you secretly wanted to be in TO's shoes

[UtterBlitz]

Originally Posted by elAcky

yeah.. but i bet you secretly wanted to be in TO's shoes

Are you talking to me elacky? Yea that's what I need now, women hitting on me.

This whole thing bugged me last night. It's no wonder I slip in here and act like a guy, because society has women pegged as pathetic losers who are going to chase men around as if that is their only interest or purpose in the world. Reality TV and the entertainment industry are setting women back years.

It's no wonder I am pre-disposed to dislike any guy with money, fame, and looks. I figure if they have all that they must not be decent on the inside. Of course, fate throws a Nick or a Thad across my path and makes me eat my words. I am guilty of judging and generalizing also.

Grrrrrrrrr.......... and for the record I would not sleep with TO.
UtterBlitz

[HUbison]

Originally Posted by UtterBlitz

It's no wonder I am pre-disposed to dislike any guy with money, fame, and looks.

So UB likes'em broke, anonymous & ugly...I guess we learn something new everyday here at the ole' Clan.

Sorry Utter.. forgot your gender !!

[UtterBlitz]

Originally Posted by elAcky

Sorry Utter.. forgot your gender !!

It's ok. I am not in here acting like a girl.

Originally Posted by HUbison

So UB likes'em broke, anonymous & ugly...I guess we learn something new everyday here at the ole' Clan

No actually I do require good looking, but they often are broke and unknown. lol....

[adarian_too]

Originally Posted by UtterBlitzedEm

The message is being sent that woman are objects for the man's taking. I don't like it, not one bit.

Nor should you. But hypocrisy is the word. Madison Avenue has made objects of us all, not just women. Some complaints by a vocal minority are heard, others are not. The NFL won't dare take on the suitability of some advertisements, but will pretend it is the moral authority on others. That is what I don't like. And it is that hypocritical intellectual and ethical dishonesty that I don't like.

Originally Posted by UtterBlitzedOnBackToBackPlays

... society has women pegged as pathetic losers who are going to chase men around as if that is their only interest or purpose in the world. Reality TV and the entertainment industry are setting women back years.

I am no fan of TV in general. I'm inclined to believe that the Media is an equal opportunity buffoon. Men are pegged as beer-swilling idiots with only one thing on their mind. It just is so unfair. When the latest batch of 'shine isn't ready yet I know how to crack open a cold Boone's Farm with the best of 'em. And ain't no blonde posing as a hood ornament gonna get me to buy a Chevy. No siree. Maybe a brunette though, but not a blonde.

[UtterBlitz]

Originally Posted by adarian

Madison Avenue has made objects of us all, not just women. Some complaints by a vocal minority are heard, others are not. The NFL won't dare take on the suitability of some advertisements, but will pretend it is the moral authority on others. That is what I don't like. And it is that hypocritical intellectual and ethical dishonesty that I don't like.

Perhaps you are right. They are just making objects of us, models molded in any manner they wish. The public keeps watching. They have a captive audience.

I am tired of all the Viagra commercials out there.

Originally Posted by adarian

I am no fan of TV in general. I'm inclined to believe that the Media is an equal opportunity buffoon. Men are pegged as beer-swilling idiots with only one thing on their mind. It just is so unfair.

I guess men and women are viewed as simple creatures driven only by the simpliest of thoughts. It is pretty insulting for both sexes actually.

[adarian_too]

Originally Posted by UtterBlitz

It is pretty insulting for both sexes actually.

That really should be the last word.

[thoey]

Originally Posted by adarian_too

That really should be the last word.

Then why'd you have to say anything?

:tongue:

[AvengerRam]

I think the last word should be...

wombat.