Saving Pvt Ryan on SOME ABC stations tonight

[monkeyboy]

One of the most graphic and intenese movies I have ever seen, as well as one of my favorites.

A realistic version of what war must have been like in early June 1944.
Yes it is violent and distrurbing but a lesson on war and a tribute to those that served

It aint ****S its HISTORY

A number of local ABC television stations have decided not to broadcast an uncut version of World War II film "Saving Private Ryan" on Thursday, Veterans Day, because of concerns about its obscene language and graphic violence.

Citing stricter FCC standards after the Super Bowl show at which singer Janet Jackson (news)'s breast was exposed, channel WOI-TV in Des Moines, Iowa, said on its Web site that it was now unclear whether "Ryan" could air before 10 p.m., which is considered the kickoff for mature content on broadcast TV

Full Story on some stations not carrying it

 

[Pop Daddy]

a great movie, it needs to be seen

 

[CheshireVal]

Our local station isn't carrying it.

 

[TimeforMe]

Our NY station is carrying it. This was the first and one of very few R rated movies I've let my kids watch.

Edited to add they were 12 and 14 at the time.

 

[RadioNate]

I've seen it and I do agree that it needs to be seen BUT I'd rather have my 3 year old see Janet Jackson's breast than the first 20min of Saving Private Ryan.

Now, I would just opt out of the movie by changing the channel. Here in the central time zone it starts at 7pm which I do think is kinda early considering all the fuss made reciently about "family programming."

I think the film gives a good historical prespective but it isn't a documentry and I do expect my son to see it before the R rating would "allow."

We'll just be watching The OC instead

 

[monkeyboy]

I agree it's not a documentry but why should something like this be in danger cause Janet needed press?

 

[septbride2002]

I heard that our ABC station will not be showing it. Sad really since it is a good movie. Stations are to nervous now about the FCC coming in and charging them huge fines after what happened to CBS affiliates with Janet's ****. I don't blame them.

I hate Howard Stern but he has a point - they have to be uniformed! You can't allow for the "F word" to be uttered on TV because it is a great movie like Saving Private Ryan and then fine millions of dollars because someone said it on CSI.

~Amanda

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I think parents should be allowed to choose for themselves if their child watches the movie. It is very graphic and I know most of the parents in my extended family would not want their little kids to see it, but for older kids and teens, I think it is a very important film to be seen.

But I think ABC should give the parents the choice.

 

[KrnB]

I agree that this needs to be seen - the same way that Schindler's List should be seen to understand a little better what happened during the Holocaust. Both are fairly realistic presentations about what people in that era had to endure and contain lessons that those of us who came afterwards must never forget. And people need to know that war isn't pretty, even if the reason for the war is valid.

It's not a documentary, but adding the ficticious story helps add a personal level with characters that draw empathy in a way that a true documentary cannot while still teaching the lesson. That's why books like All Quiet on the Western Front (about WWI, for those who haven't read it) are so important too.

When I was in high school, our class watched Glory when we were learning about the Civil War, and we learned so much from it. I hope they do that with Private Ryan and Schindler's List now too for WWII.

ABC should let parents make the decision (like RadioNate is - yep, that's way too much for a three year old to see yet!!) rather than making it for them.

 

[RadioNate]

I do think ABC has every right to air it. I can simply change the station. I don't actually object to the movie at all. I do think 7pm (for the central zoners) is a little early but I have hundreds of channels to choose from. ABC will also have to deal with any fines that come down.

I see why some affiliates aren't airing it. What was ok before is now questionable because of the Janet incident (which FWIW, I thought was stupid move on her part yet complete overblown. A half second flash of Janet's 1/2 covered breast is fineable yet lingering shots of Dennis Franz's rear are perfectly fine) Great movie or not it's just not worth the risk.

Believe me, I'm hardly consertative. I know how to change the channel.

I guess I"m just anti-FCC and anti stations ammending programming or even having to worry about this stuff all because of an incident that I felt to be rather harmless.

Saving Private is a graphic movie that honors vets and thier experiences. I believe everyone should have the oppertunity to see it, especially during this time of war. I'm just sad that stations feel they need to opt out because it's a movie and subject to heavy fines due to it's content.

I don't think it's the governments job to monitor what my family sees on TV.

Guess I should have expressed myself better the first time.

 

[DisneyVillain]

Originally posted by KrnB
ABC should let parents make the decision rather than making it for them.

It isn't ABC that's the problem. It's the ambiguous FCC standards. Because the standards aren't well defined, the ABC stations don't have any way of knowing whether the FCC would fine them, or how much.

Also, parents always have the option of buying or renting the movie on video or DVD.

 

[Geoff_M]

I tend to agree with Jeff Harrell's assessment of the controversy:

ABC affiliates throw hissy fit, take ball, go home
TV Guide threatens “mother of all jeers”

More than 20 ABC television affiliates, including my hometown station, WFAA-TV, have decided not to broadcast the network's Veterans Day presentation of Saving Private Ryan, citing concerns about possible FCC fines.

At its heart, the FCC's mandate is to make sure that the airwaves, which are owned by the public at large, are used for purposes that the public finds acceptable and proper. Given the context — the airing of a powerful and moving World War II film on Veterans Day — and the precedent of two previous showings under the same circumstances without public outcry, it should be clear to all involved that showing this particular film on this particular day is not an act which offends the public sensibility. Furthermore, ABC has done the right thing by pledging to pay any fines incurred by any participating affiliates. Individual station-owners can thus be doubly sure that they are in no danger of FCC retaliation. Those who have opted out of the broadcast have turned what should have been a solemn remembrance into a mean-spirited publicity stunt, and should be ashamed of themselves.

On Veterans Day in both 2001 and 2002, ABC aired the graphic World War II film uncut and with limited commercial interruptions. Despite the film's MPAA "R" rating for "intense prolonged realistically graphic sequences of war violence, and for language," the FCC ruled in 2001 that the movie was not indecent and could be aired uncut. The broadcast was given a rating of "TV-MA" indicating that the program was intended for mature audiences only, and aired with warnings of violence and profanity at the beginning of the broadcast and after each of the ten commercial breaks.

According to some station owners, however, today's FCC isn't the same FCC that let Ryan go out over the airwaves two years ago, and they're afraid of what consequences might fall on them if they raise the ire of the federal agency.

In 2003, U2 lead singer Bono let the phrase "f____g brilliant" slip during the NBC network's broadcast of the Golden Globe awards. The FCC initially ruled that the use of the f-word was not indecent because it was "fleeting" and because it wasn't used in a "sexual context." The commission reversed its own ruling in March of 2004, but declined to fine or otherwise sanction NBC or its affiliates, though it did warn the network and stations that future uses of the f-word would be considered indecent. That particular profanity is used more than 20 times in Saving Private Ryan, on top of more than a dozen uses of "____," a "____" and a "__________," two "___holes" and 12 "g-ds." (Thanks to Screen It for the body-count.)

The difference between the realistic depiction of history — blood, gore, profanity and all — and the casual utterance of the f-word during an awards show couldn't be more self-evident. Station owners who have decided to use this broadcast to call attention to what they perceive as a capricious and unaccountable FCC need to get over themselves.

http://www.shapeofdays.com

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by DisneyVillain
Also, parents always have the option of buying or renting the movie on video or DVD.

This is true, however some people don't have a video store nearby, or can't afford to / don't want to pay the extra money.

 

[year2late]

A realistic interpretation of what our WW2 vets endured sounds like a bad choice on Veterans day. Insert one mother of a sarcastic rolleyes smiley here.

 

[Royalbear]

If ABC shows PVT Ryan, I have a remote, I can change the station if I want That's why I don't care about Sopranos, or other shows. I let my remote do the talking.

That being said, my DH let my DS (then 9) watch PVT Ryan. When we went to bed, I heard sobbing coming out of DS's room. I went in to see him and asked him what was wrong.:

"Mama, I don't know if I could be that brave. That looks so awful."

I gave him a big hug and told him that no one knows how brave they will be until something actually happens. He had been hit by a car a year ago and I asked him if he ever thought that he could have been as brave as he was during his ordeal (surgeries, etc) before he experienced it. "No" I then told him, all we require of you is to do the right thing. Bravery will take care of itself.

I also kicked my DH in bed that night for letting my son watch the movie.

 

[Doug123]

With his "morals for America" flag waving, Bush used the Janet Jackson incident in an attempt to install a conservative's view of what should and should not be portrayed in today's media. It has -- as is evidenced with stations refusing to air "Saving Private Ryan," even though they did so previously -- had a cooling effect on the market.

Those that didn't complain about the atmosphere created by the Bush Administration after the Jackson incident, should not be complaining now.

 

[Geoff_M]

Doug123,

That's a bogus arguement.... Bush's FCC has declared SPR as not indecent. It's also clear that when looking at things like "breastgate" and the Bono "Ooops" that context and intent still make a difference when it comes to regulatory action. This is nothing more than a red herring "protest" on the part of the local allifiates.

 

[Doug123]

It's my understanding that local affiliates are concerned about the FCC coming down on them for airing Saving Private Ryan.

As businesses, I assume that local affiliates care more about their bottomline than protesting. If airing the movie would be without problem, and benefit them financially, then they would do so without hesitation.

 

[disykat]

What I don't get about this controversy is - isn't ABC the same network that airs "Desperate Housewives" at 9? There are also shows rerunning at all hours that are not family appropriate.

I would love it if shows with adult content weren't shown until after 10 (or even 9), but that isn't the reality. Any parent who isn't paying attention to all the tv their children watch is being remiss IMO.

My children won't be watching "Saving Private Ryan", but they won't be watching most of the other stuff on tv either - it is meant for adult viewing.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I think the main concerns of the affiliates are the incredibly outrageous fines given by the FCC. Ultimately I'm sure they'd love nothing more than to air SPR, but by pulling it & saying they've done it out of fear of fines, they are doing a great job of bringing the FCC's "Big Brother" mentality to the eyes and ears of the public.

Look at what they've done to Howard Stern. Even if you're not a fan, you've got to admit that the fines he's incurred are insane.

Stations simply don't want need to incur the risk.

Sad.