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After much hand-wringing in the media over the first-ever use of the word "s--t" on network television, last night's episode of Chicago Hope caused little real furor.CBS initially reported that no affiliates had bleeped the once-forbidden word when it was spoken by Hope actor Mark Harmon. However, it was later revealed that some markets did censor the "s" word, including Washington D.C. and Milwaukee.
The network said that it had sent video feeds to the affiliates in plenty of time for them to bleep out the taboo-breaking word, if they wanted to do so. Network spokesman Chris Ender told the New York Daily News that "the reaction was pretty calm overall."
Easily offended viewers, duck and cover as the s--t will no doubt hit the fan, er, the airwaves again very, very soon, given this "no big deal" reaction.
* * * Speaking of being in deep s--t, after ABC announced it might bump NYPD Blue out of its Tuesday night slot for hot new show Once and Again, fans of the Emmy-winning police drama shared their outrage. Angry fans logged onto the series' official Web site, posting such comments as "I think the way ABC is treating NYPD Blue, perhaps the best show of the '90s, is disgraceful," while others threatened a boycott, "I will not watch ABC programming until NYPD Blue is given the respect it deserves," said one fan.
Another writer was more blunt, "It's such a bad idea to put that inspid Once and Again in Blue's spot that it's hard for me to even imagine that there are people that stupid enough to even dream it up. … Hey, ABC, do us all a favor and take your heads out of your butts."
A rep for ABC told the News that no decisions have been made — and that no more announcements about the possible fate of Blue will be issued until there is a decision about the time-slot dilemma.
NYPD Blue producer Steven Bochco has angrily dared ABC to cancel his series of six years so he could shop it to another network, but a network source tells the News that will definitely not be happening.
Bill Cella, of media-buying company McCann-Erickson tells the News he thinks Once could move without eroding its audience. "I think there's probably an opportunity to put it in another time period," he says.
Another industry insider agrees that ABC should stick with the tried and true Blue. "My feeling is that ABC is committed to Bochco and that show," says Stacey Lynn Koerner, vice president of broadcast research at ad-buyer TN Media. "There's no indication that they're going to take it off the air. I think it's a matter of where to put it. I wouldn't be surprised if they leave it right there."
Speculation is high that to accommodate both new shows, one edition of the 20/20 newsmagazine would have to be cut.
