The Decency of Television Broadcasting
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
by: Amy Johnson
Everyone remembers the Janet Jackson “wardrobe malfunction” at the Super Bowl a few years back. CBS was heavily fined for airing the incident. This led to a major debate as to the decency, or lack thereof, in television broadcasting.
Another recent incident makes Walt Disney, co-owner of ABC, rethink the idea of live shows. During the 2009 American Music Awards, singer Adam Lambert gave a controversial performance that leaves ABC in the same place as CBS. His performance included giving the middle finger to the audience, kissed a man, and simulated oral sex.
Disney/ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney told said that in response to Lambert's risque performance, Disney was reviewing the steps it takes when dealing with live performances by getting assurances from artists that their actual aired show will not include anything too different than their rehearsals and will use contractual obligations to hold them to their word.
ABC went as far to cancel Lambert's scheduled performance during “Good Morning America,” saying that many children watch the show and that they did not want to risk another mishap. The people in public relations for these singers have to be rethinking their jobs.
How can television stations be held responsible for the decisions singers make? It is not that television broadcasting is indecent, it is the lack of morals that artists decide to show. If the contracts that Disney is making its artists sign does not work, perhaps television will have to go to say goodbye to live performances and will have to go to a performance with a short delay.
(Photo Credit: flickr.com - kindofadraag)
1 comments:
First of all, I don't think this was the same as Janet Jackson showing her boob during the Super Bowl. That was nudity. Lambert didn't do anything that I thought should have been censored.
If GMA wants to cancel his show that's fine. He got more publicity out of his performance at the AMAs than he ever could have on that morning show.
If Disney/ABC feel that performances are too "indecent" for their network, don't have the awards show. Let a cable network host the awards and we might see some really good performances.
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