Entertainment

CBS Crosses Line with Nudity on ‘Judge Amy’

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Randall Murphree
Senior Editor, AFA Journal
October 15, 2001

CBS is making up for lost time in the sleaze department. Over the past decade, the network had earned the reputation of being most likely among the big four to air wholesome prime-time series. Now, it appears CBS is trying to match the competition with increased sex and nudity, even in previously "family friendly" shows.

Since its debut in 1999, CBS’s Judging Amy has been among the less offensive series in prime-time. No longer! The third episode of the new season, October 9, boasts the most blatant, in-your-face male nudity of any network to date. AFA President Don Wildmon said, "It’s a new low for network TV. CBS executives should hang their heads in shame for this offensive display."

The lengthy scene featured Amy, series heroine, meeting her date at a swimming pool where he lay on his side, totally naked and facing the camera with only his hand covering his genitals. The camera focus returned to him several times, once close-up. Amy accepted his invitation to join him naked in the pool (though no female nudity occurred).

In an earlier scene, Amy had discussed with her mother whether or not she should have sex with Stuart, who was recovering from a near-fatal heart attack.

"You could kill him, you know," observed her mother. "If you sleep together, it could be fatal."

Amy smiled and responded, "The way I do it, Mother, no one has to die."

"Then you’re not doing it right!" declared the loud-mouthed mother. This conversation occurred in loud voices while the women were in line at a cafeteria.

"There seems to be almost no redeeming value to prime-time TV," said Wildmon. "But I still urge people who care about values in our society, to contact advertisers and networks about offensive programs.

"One irony of this incident is that AT&T, Procter & Gamble, and Sears all advertised on the show. Just a couple of years ago, they were among 11 advertisers who organized the ‘Family-Friendly Forum’ which they bragged would bring wholesome programs to prime-time."

Advertisers on this episode were:

AT&T Corporation, Chrm. C. Michael Armstrong, 32 Ave. of the Americas, New York, NY 10013, Phone 212-387-5400, Fax: 908-221-2528, Toll Free: 1-800-222-0300, www.att.com. PRODUCTS: AT&T phone services, 10-10-345 calling service.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Chrm. Charles A. Heimbold, Jr., 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, Phone 212-546-4000, FAX 212-546-4020, Toll Free: 1-800-468-7746, www.bms.com. PRODUCTS: Clairol hair products, Herbal Essence shampoo.

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp., Chrm. Monroe G. Milstein, 1830 Route 130 North, Burlington, NJ 08016, Phone 609-387-7800, FAX 609-387-7071, www.coat.com. PRODUCTS: Burlington Coat Factory.

Capital One Financial Corp., Chrm. Richard Fairbank, 2980 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 1300, Falls Church, VA 22042, Phone: 703-205-1000, Fax: 703-205-1755, www.capitalone.com. PRODUCTS: Capital One credit cards.

The Clorox Company, Chrm. G. Craig Sullivan, P. O. Box 24305, Oakland, CA 94623, Phone 510-271-7000, FAX 510-832-1463, www.clorox.com. PRODUCTS: Glad Wrap & Glad plastic bags, Kingsford charcoal, Pine-sol cleaner, STP auto products.

Ford Motor Company, Chrm. William Clay Ford, Jr., P. O. Box 1899, Dearborn, MI 48121, Phone 313-322-3000, Fax: 313-845-7512, Toll Free: 1-800-392-3673, www.ford.com. PRODUCTS: Ford cars and trucks, Hertz car rentals, Jaguar luxury cars.

Kia Motors America, Inc., Pres. B. M. Ahn, 9801 Muirlands Blvd., Irvine, CA 92618, Phone 949-470-7000, FAX 949-470-2801, www.kia.com. PRODUCTS: Kia automobiles.

Marriott International, Inc., Chrm. J. Willard Marriott, Jr., One Marriott Drive, Washington, DC 20058, Phone 301-380-3000, FAX 301-380-4055, www.marriott.com. PRODUCTS: Fairfield Inn, Marriott Hotels, Resorts & Suites, Residence Inn, Ritz Carlton.

McDonald's Corporation, Chrm. Jeff Greenberg, 1 Kroc Dr., Oak Brook, IL 60523, Phone 630-623-3000, Fax: 630-623-5423, www.mcdonalds.com. PRODUCTS: McDonald's fast food.

The Procter & Gamble Company, Chrm. John Pepper, P. O. Box 599, Cincinnati, OH 45201, Phone 513-983-1100, FAX 513-983-9369, www.pg.com, E-Mail: shareholders.im@pg.com. PRODUCTS: Charmin toilet tissue, Oil of Olay products.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Pres. Alan Lacy, 3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, Phone 847-286-2500, FAX 847-286-7881, Toll Free: 1-800-732-7780, www.sears.com. PRODUCTS: Craftsman tools, Kenmore appliances, Sears department and specialty stores.

Sprint Corporation, Chrm. William T. Esrey, P. O. Box 11315, Kansas City, MO 66502, Phone 913-624-3000, FAX 913-624-5386, Toll Free: 1-800-829-0965, www.sprint.com. PRODUCTS: Sprint phone service.

Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc., Pres. Yoshio Ishizaka, 19001 S. Western Ave., Torrance, CA 90509, Phone 310-618-4000, FAX 310-618-7820, Toll Free: 1-800-331-4331. PRODUCTS: Lexus automobiles, Toyota motor vehicles.