anyone else have an issue with this?

infinite loop · 10-27-2006, 01:47 PM

first off, i know that nbc should have a right to refuse any advertising they don't want on their stations. with that said, it's the reasoning for their refusal that bothers me.

fwiw, i'm more understanding of the networks electing not to show commercials for the bush assassination film, as that's going beyond the bounds of reasonable good taste.

Studio Stirs Up Dixie Chicks Film Controversy

Studio Stirs Up Dixie Chicks Film Controversy
October 27, 2006, 10:40 AM ET
Nicole Sperling and Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter
The company distributing a new documentary about the Dixie Chicks has blasted the NBC and CW networks for allegedly refusing to accept a commercial spot for the film, which opens in four theaters today (Oct. 27).

In a press release issued yesterday, the Weinstein Co. said NBC rejected a spot for "Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing," because the spot included material that "disparages President Bush."

The film, playing initially in Los Angeles and New York, revolves around the political firestorm stirred up in 2003 when the Dixie Chicks criticized Bush during a concert in London.

The Weinstein Co. distributed documents that appeared to be from NBC's advertising standards division rejecting the spots and with the handwritten remarks about President Bush.

An NBC executive declined comment, while CW spokesperson Paul McGuire said, "The release is flat-out inaccurate."

The Weinstein Co. distributed a document from CW that referred to "concerns (that) we do not have appropriate programming in which to schedule this spot." CW countered that it had been in conversations with the Weinstein Co. about taking the spot, but those talks never progressed beyond where on the CW schedule the spot would run. "The whole matter is rather a mystery to us," McGuire said of the hubbub.

According to a source, the spot has been cleared for broadcast on CBS, MTV and on local NBC, CW, ABC and Fox affiliates in New York and Los Angeles, as well as on local cable systems, including local spots on Fox News and CNN.

The commercial, posted at a Web site connected to the movie, features footage of Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines making the comment that the band is "ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas" as well as footage of Bush reacting to the controversy and scenes of anti-Dixie Chicks protests that erupted after Maines' comment was publicized.

"It's a sad commentary about the level of fear in our society that a movie about a group of courageous entertainers who were blacklisted for exercising their right of free speech is now itself being blacklisted by corporate America," said Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of the Weinstein Co. His release went so far as to include a comment from famed litigator David Boies.

JaJae · 10-27-2006, 01:59 PM

If this had been a radically extreme pro-Bush film they just wouldn't have aired it and said nothing about it. They're coming out and saying something now and I think they're making statement. The mainstream media is finally starting to realize that their radicalism is costing them money. And they're trying to fix it.

ballz2wallz · 10-27-2006, 02:03 PM

Yeah I'm actually surprised that they're doing this. I agree, I think they're trying to make themselves look less liberal, considering Fox News is doing so well. They need to make money too you know.

But it's also possible people are getting tired of everyone bashing our president so much. The Democrats coming out and blasting Chavez for calling our president the devil was very surprising as well; perhaps it's finally wearing on people, including those that were the ones bashing him previously.

Thorgrim · 10-27-2006, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

If this had been a radically extreme pro-Bush film they just wouldn't have aired it and said nothing about it. They're coming out and saying something now and I think they're making statement. The mainstream media is finally starting to realize that their radicalism is costing them money. And they're trying to fix it.

Someone is forgetting PT911....

Diamond Cross · 10-27-2006, 02:07 PM

No, the key factor is they bashed President Bush in front of a foreign audience, something you'ree not supposed to do.

Thorgrim · 10-27-2006, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

Yeah I'm actually surprised that they're doing this. I agree, I think they're trying to make themselves look less liberal, considering Fox News is doing so well. They need to make money too you know.

But it's also possible people are getting tired of everyone bashing our president so much. The Democrats coming out and blasting Chavez for calling our president the devil was very surprising as well; perhaps it's finally wearing on people, including those that were the ones bashing him previously.

Nice Hannity talking point but I don't buy it

Bashing a president is a time honored tradition, to not bash your president is unamerican

Democrats came out specifically because bashing their president is THEIR RIGHT and some would say THEIR DUTY, who cares what some guy from venezuela says, infact it pissed me off too because he can make those speeches in his own country to massive rallies he doesn't need to come the NY and say it

JaJae · 10-27-2006, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

Someone is forgetting PT911....

It's interesting you see no difference between this and the Path to 9/11.

Thorgrim · 10-27-2006, 02:23 PM

You're right, this is full of truthful accounts while the PT911 was so full of lies that the main actor of the film wanted it pulled along with conservatives and moderates

JaJae · 10-27-2006, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

You're right, this is full of truthful accounts while the PT911 was so full of lies that the main actor of the film wanted it pulled along with conservatives and moderates

You do realize that PT9/11 was very much edited. The trailer and the movie before it was released. While you can argue the truthfulness of P9/11 it's clear that one is full forced slander and the other is a partisan viewpoint.

They have to draw the line somewhere. Much like on this forum when someone backhandedly insults members using a lot of nice big words compared to someone just saying "you're a dumbshit" in response. Somewhere there is a line. One blatantly crosses it and the other skates along just getting by.

hsmith · 10-27-2006, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by Diamond Cross

No, the key factor is they bashed President Bush in front of a foreign audience, something you'ree not supposed to do.

Yes, because he is God and it is written in the constitution you aren't allowed to make any criticism.

infinite loop · 10-27-2006, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by hsmith

Yes, because he is God and it is written in the constitution you aren't allowed to make any criticism.

right.

and how is what the dixie chicks said in any way worse than some of the political ads we're seeing attacking prominent members of the us government?

Scrum · 10-27-2006, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

Yeah I'm actually surprised that they're doing this. I agree, I think they're trying to make themselves look less liberal, considering Fox News is doing so well. They need to make money too you know.

Yeah, before this Foxnews almost had NBC shut down.
They were so worried about this that they are trying to look less liberal by not shoing a commercial. You hit the nail on the head there Ballz.

Anyone watch Studio 60?

ballz2wallz · 10-27-2006, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by Scrumtralecent

Yeah, before this Foxnews almost had NBC shut down.
They were so worried about this that they are trying to look less liberal by not shoing a commercial. You hit the nail on the head there Ballz.

You think a news channel that's a mere 10 yrs old and topping the charts makes the rest of the broadcasts happy?

Anyone watch Studio 60?

No.

Scrum · 10-27-2006, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

You think a news channel that's a mere 10 yrs old and topping the charts makes the rest of the broadcasts happy?

You think it's even a blip on NBC's radar?

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

No.

Figures.

motivez · 10-27-2006, 11:47 PM

Studio 60 is great, but I would have preferred Sorkin coming back and doing West Wing or creating of another political drama.. there's simply nothing else like West Wing on television.. and there probably never will be again.

imind · 10-28-2006, 12:27 PM

so what would happen if all major news outlets decided they didn't want to run any of one party's ads? of course this would never happen, as they make millions on them, but its an interesting scenario.

JaJae · 10-28-2006, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by imind

so what would happen if all major news outlets decided they didn't want to run any of one party's ads? of course this would never happen, as they make millions on them, but its an interesting scenario.

this isn't a political ad.

ballz2wallz · 10-28-2006, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by Scrumtralecent

Figures.

Some people don't waste their time with TV

thatguyoverthere · 10-28-2006, 09:16 PM

IMHO, it's a hype stunt. NBC is well aware that it would stick out like a sore thumb by refusing to air it, especially if the commercial has already been cleared for all the other networks.

Result: the "controversy" over NBC not airing the commercial will get the film more attention than if the commercial aired without incident.

motivez · 10-28-2006, 10:04 PM

Why would NBC participate in such a stunt?