Veterans Day & Private Ryan

[OmniGLH]

They aired it in Chicago.

Good movie.  

[Super Dave]

I have a personal copy myself.

I have never watched my copy, although I went to see it when we were at Daytona in 1999.  Watched it when it was on TV.  I find it hard to pull out of the box and watch it...the reality that it conveys to me is almost too much.  Too much, that I just have never watched my copy.  However, I treasure having it a copy of it.

[OmniGLH]

Oh yeah, I own it too.  Disturbing, yet it still sucks you in.

Plus the whole "bullets whizzing by" in surround sound is kinda neat :)

[Super Dave]

The parts that really get me is when Hanks has a couple of near misses from the concussion of explosions.  He's basically broken and disoriented...not able to do much other than breath and watch.  Bits and pieces of images go past, your head turns, there is no sound for a while.  Gradually, it comes back to its normal form.  I've crashed where I've been like that.  Lying on the ground, you see the colors, there is no sound.  I'm still, in my mind, racing between turns one and two.  Then the heads of EMT's come into view.  There's no pain, it's quiet.  The volume starts to come around, but I'm just lying there holding my chin for no reason that I know of.  Finally, I recognize that I was taken out a moment before...I was knocked unconcious, ran over, and left for dead.  It's one of those experiences that few people ever have.  The actual reality of those experiences certainly adds the colors to an individual's pallett everyday.

[the_weggie_man]

Bullets whizzing by in reality sucks. >:(

[Super Dave]

Ah, the local station replied.  Get this...

Dear Dave:

Thank you for your comments.  I appreciate you allowing us to clarify our
position on this important issue.

In recent rulings, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) changed
standards for what they consider indecent language in programs airing
before     10pm. They specifically cited use of the "F-word" -  no matter
what the context - as a violation of local standards. As a result, WISN had
no choice other than to preempt ABC's telecast of "Saving Private Ryan," or
face heavy fines and the possibility of losing our broadcast license.

Rather than preempt the movie, we first attempted to schedule it for later
in the evening.  However, our request to delay the start of the film until
10pm was denied by the ABC Network.  We were also prevented from bleeping
the "F-word" from the movie, given ABC's agreement with Filmmaker Steven
Spielberg.  We regret that this highly acclaimed film was not shown.

If you have comments regarding the FCC's position on indecent language in
programming that airs prior to 10pm, we would encourage you to contact them
directly:  Federal Communication Commission, 445 12th Street SW, Washington
D.C., 20554

Uh, I think the rules apply to the rest of the US.  Why did other stations show it?

[Super Dave]

And my reply...

Thank you for your automated reply.

Certainly, you can recognize that I am disappointed with your specific decision on your programming in the market that I live in.

In Washington DC, Saving Private Ryan was shown on the ABC affiliate WJLA.  I would think that there are some FCC people there.

Saving Private Ryan did air on the ABC affiliate in Chicago.  I'm certain there is a large market of people yet there that the FCC might have some contacts with.

The Federal Communication Commission has rules that apply to the all broadcasters in the United States.  

I cannot find it in my heart to feel sorry for your decision to program something different than those of other markets and actually air a program that ABC, your national affiliate, decided to program on Veterans Day.  

I do not support your programming decision of that day nor do I find your reasoning valid considering that ABC affiliates in other markets DID air Saving Private Ryan.

Should your claim of "heavy fines and the possibility of loosing (your) broadcast license" be true, I should expect that your news team will be coving the heavy fines and loss of broadcasting licenses of those other ABC affiliates.

As I don't foresee any FCC fines, I might have to decide to watch that news on a different local station for my news in the Milwaukee market.

Dave Rosno

[251am]

  Hey Dave, let us know what Miltown's ABC response was after you let em know it WAS aired in Chi. and D.C.. The wife and I watched the whole series as it came out on HBO. I really do not recall the "f word" being all that prevalent.  

[the_weggie_man]

Ah, 251am, I think you're refering to "Band of Brothers" not "Saving Private Ryan".  Private Ryan was not an HBO series.

[251am]

  Oh geez, Thanks Gordon, "Ryan" has Hanks and Damon in it, right? Thanks for the straightening.

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

Plus the whole "bullets whizzing by" in surround sound is kinda neat :)

Never heard bullets whizzing by in surround sound. Heard them in real life though slamming into trees 3-4' above me. :o :o

[dylanfan53]

Actually watched this last night with my 14 yr. old son.  (I love Tivo!).

F words were infrequent and irrelevant, he hears that at school everyday.  I forgot how powerful the knife scene was.  It hurt to watch that.

The ending was worth it.  I know it got through to him.  He asked if it was a true story and I told him it might as well have been because according to his grandfathers and great uncle it was pretty accurate.  Interesting discussions.  By the stations not showing it in WI they missed an opportunity for people to talk about things that really matter. Like fear and bravery, maybe?    

I won't rant about the rest of the junk on TV, but why is it the networks feel they...ok, I'll shut up. TV sucks. So there. Sometimes I just can't help myself. :-X