Christopher Ruddy
Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2001

There it was, in black and white, the screaming headline on Page 1 of this past Sunday's Times, top of the fold: "As Cable Applies Pressure, Network TV Spouts Expletives."

That headline was mild compared to the revelations of just what the major TV networks – ABC, CBS and NBC – are preparing for this fall's TV season.

Steven Bochco, the executive producer of a new ABC program called "Philly," wants "a character [to] use a scatological reference that has never before been uttered on an ABC series." The word 'scatological' refers to excrement and may better describe what the networks are planning to dish up for American audiences, particularly the nation's youth, this fall.

Another executive producer, Aaron Sorkin of NBC's "The West Wing," says he wants to break "a longstanding network taboo" this year by blaspheming God – or, as he puts it, he wants "a character to curse in a way that uses the Lord's name in vain."

What ratings they must expect to get! More money in the bank!

Major producers at all of the networks told the Times they are going to push the envelope this year as never before.

The clear implication of the Times' story is that these ideas are coming not just from producers and script writers but also from network executives, who are said to be worried about the loss of viewers to the more provocative cable shows like HBO's "The Sopranos."

Let's take a step back for a second and peel away the spin to see what is happening here:

• The attempt to undermine decency and basic civility on network TV has been going on for decades. Sure, it was prudish that on "I Love Lucy" the show's characters wouldn't say Lucy was "pregnant." But haven't we gone too far the other way when today's shows make sordid references to bodily functions and body parts and use gutter language and just about every vulgarity one can think of?

  Sure, some adults may find this fun, and it's a free country. But on broadcast TV the networks have unimpeded access to the minds of children. Why pollute their minds? The revelations in the Times demonstrate that the networks want to do away with even the minimal broadcast standards left.

• The big networks claim they are competing with the cable shows. Let's face it, network TV led the way in lowering standards for all programs, including cable programs, for three decades. Guess who owns most of the major cable networks? Bingo: the major TV networks or their media conglomerates. The same people who complain they need to keep up with the competition – own the competition! Who are they kidding?

• The network executives also suggest that they are being forced, by market conditions, to keep viewers. Did they ever stop to think that viewers are turning in droves away from the big TV networks precisely because they have no standards? I know dozens of people who subscribe to cable so they can get old-fashioned movies and programs broadcast TV won't carry anymore – having replaced these great old shows with a daily diet of the likes of "Jerry Springer."

• The networks say they need to keep their big advertisers, who want the youth audience, an audience that wants more racy programming. I say the networks and their executives can just "stick it."

  If they don't like their business and the rules, then they should return their broadcast licenses. If the FCC had any guts, it would consider whether some of the networks are actually operating in the public interest and consider yanking their licenses. ABC, NBC and CBS do not own the airwaves. The public does.

• I believe the Times is right on the button when it reports the networks are planning a full-scale attack on decency this season. It strikes me that the Times' story is part of an effort by the networks to soften up public sentiment to pave the way for their aggressive programming plans. The networks are just floating some trial balloons with stories like this one to see just how the public will react.

• I disbelieve the Times' report that the FCC said "the number of indecency complaints involving television remained negligible." Hello – has anyone at the New York Times ever heard of the American Family Association, the Media Research Center, Traditional Values Coalition and other groups that represent tens of millions of Americans who have been screaming about the behavior of the networks? How could a paper that calls itself the paper of record do an entire story on this subject and never quote one critic who shares traditional values?

I am not worried about how God will fare in this battle. I am worried for my country, and for the younger generations who will know God as something to be mocked – instead of being the reason for our freedom and greatness.

When the media succeed in stamping out God from public life, there will be no America.

Editor's Note:
Are you angry about the networks' plans? You can let FCC Chairman Michael Powell and the other FCC commissioners know how you feel about this by sending a free e-mail. CLICK HERE to send the FCC an e-mail.

Even Better: Send an urgent PriorityGram to all the FCC commissioners and network presidents. Click Here Now.