Network Standards and Practices – Who applies the childproof cap?
June 29, 2009 by admin
Filed under Entertainment, TV
As a follow-up to my blog questioning CBS’s apparent decision to de-sexualize the same-sex OTALIA storyline on the now canceled daytime drama, Guiding Light, I thought it would be insightful to examine these network standards and practices, or Program Practices at CBS.
Standards and Practices, put simply in the vernacular, is the department of the network censors. Broadcasting licenses are a finite resource, and thus acting as stewards of such, broadcasters have been the paternal overseer of the content of the airwaves for decades. The crusade of the Standard and Practice has been to review all non-news broadcast content for compliance with community standards.
Network censors serve as surrogates for the network’s affiliates, assuring that the programming is acceptable to the mass audience. They serve as the chaperones of taste with respect to language, sex, and other subject matter deemed inappropriate for children. According to CBS’s own website, “The review process involves an interaction among producers, program executives and Program Practices executives (censors), who ensure that CBS entertainment programs conform to generally accepted standards of public taste. The extent and degree of Program Practices involvement in ongoing series, ranging from general consultation to close episode review and supervision, depends on the nature and subject matter of the series generally and of particular episodes.”
Now that the roll of network Program Practices has been established, one big question remains, who decides? Who is it exactly that determines a ménage à trios after-scene is more acceptable in the children’s hour than a same-sex kiss between two loving, adult women in a committed relationship? Who provides that elusive checklist that determines appropriate content and the correct compliment of family values? Is it the moral majority, who ironically according to the latest CBS News/NYT poll, are not quite in the majority anymore?
Who really knows; it is a very well kept secret among the corporate boardrooms of the networks. What we do know is that Guiding Light after September 18th will be illuminating little more than a historical montage of the beacon it once was. Some of those commenting on my blog have suggested as a result, what do the producers have to lose, just do it. It’s a nice thought, but content is released out over the broadcast airwaves only when the networks say it is appropriate. So for now, Crystal Chappell and Jessica Leccia have as much chance of pulling off an impromptu over-the-air kiss as my partner and I have making out down the halls of Focus on the Family.
Thank you for another very insightful article.
It’s no wonder so many tv/film makers are moving to the web in order to gain creative control over their work.
It is a shame that the show has reached a point where it’s so delicately guiding the audience that it is reducing the impact. Are the non-otaliaitis-afflicted viewers aware of what the issue is anymore? I really hope they scale things up a bit with the coming weeks. I want some kind of passion, even if it’s only in the ‘missing the one you love’ way. I am, however, continually delighted with the issues GL is covering and just hope that we get to see some kind of consummation in the future.
I’m not too familiar but don’t CBS control ATWT too? Is GL therefore under the same jurisdiction? Surely if they’re happy with Nuke kisses there must be a reason for holding back? Perhaps it’s a trade-off: 10 chaste kisses for 1 good old fashioned snog? Or 1 liplock in exchange for 4 coming out to children stories.
It seems strange to say: ‘All I really want… is a kiss’ when there is so much else being given. But then, that’s what we’ve been trained to want, in every romantic movie and love story. That’s the goal because it’s such a beautiful gesture.
I think that Otalia have suffered more than enough flagellation from almost every quarter for acts they have not committed and thus deserve many tender, mutual kisses, as well as passionate and fervent ones. I have heard that Nuke “makes out all the time,” and can only reason that Crystal Chappell’s uber sexuality and her chemistry with Jessica Leccia has the network scared to death that straight women all across America will suddenly go gay, thereby leaving millions of men to do their own laundry and resulting in the dramatic decrease of detergent sales. I mean, Nuke doesn’t do a thing for me, but Olivia Spencer would have me batting for the team if I weren’t already.
It seems to me the networks are on this issue much like Obama is on DADT: trailing far behind not only the times but also public opinion and will have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the modern day.
Looking at the recent half played out Y&R moment this week with Rafe I think it’s safe to say it’s CBS with it’s finger on the button. And your final statement is so very true.
And after the air kiss from Olivia today in the FOL – Oh CBS!!!!
Get your head out of your pocketbook and look at how well it would serve the story and your pocketbooks in other ways if you were bold!