Today's Chicago Tribune includes the editorial, "Protect us from Sally Field?" The Tribune is displeased that Ms. Field, who pretty much exhausted her acting ability 40 years ago with "The Flying Nun," was censored by the Fox Network.
In an acceptance speech on Sunday's Emmy Awards program, Sally shared her wisdom: "If the mothers ruled the world, there would be no god-damned wars in the first place." Fox cut out the last half of her sentence. Concluded the editorial:
Some would have been offended by Field's choice of words. Some would have been offended by her political sentiment. But everyone ought to feel a chill over the fact that they didn't get to hear the end of her sentence at all.
So, OK, the Chicago Tribune opposes that chilling effect. Hurrah.
The Trib's outrage might be more persuasive if it didn't selectively edit a story in the same day's paper.
In the article, "Taped voice said to be O.J.'s," the piece describes the latest episode of the ongoing O.J. Simpson saga. The second paragraph:
"Think you can steal my property and sell it?" a man believed to be Simpson angrily says on the audio obtained by TMZ.com after it was surreptitiously taped by auctioneer Thomas Riccio, who had arranged for Simpson to meet with men who reportedly were trying to sell his mementos.
But if you go to TMZ.com and listen to the audio, that purported question from Simpson is not to be heard, at least not as quoted. In an article yesterday from the Associated Press, one carried on the Trib's own Web site, the question from the voice identified as Simpson's is: "Think you can steal my s--- and sell it?"
Is the Tribune not concerned that its changing the quote will make all its readers "feel a chill" because they didn't get to read what actually was said?
It appears the Chicago Tribune doesn't believe in selective editing - unless it's the Chicago Tribune doing it.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Flying nun was not her peak.
September 18, 2007 - 12:39 ET by tpmintxI found her compelling in "Smokey and the Bandit"
Such subtlety and grace in her performance...
subtlety and grace
September 18, 2007 - 12:51 ET by Michael M. BatesPerhaps I was premature. I'll have to get Smokey on my Netflix list.
Netflix
September 18, 2007 - 13:26 ET by tpmintxI don't know if I'd go that far.
However Smokey was a good movie for finding movie flubs. When they produced it they had no concept of freeze frame and single frame advance. I worked in a TV store in 1980 or so, and we had a laser video disk of S&tB that we used to demonstrate the capabilities of the player. You could see where they used specially modified cars, where they switched cars from one scene to the next, etc. Maybe if you got the DVD it might be fun to find all of those.
Smokey
September 18, 2007 - 13:29 ET by Michael M. Bates1980? Looks like I'll have to put on a leisure suit when viewing it. Oh, that's right, I'm already wearing a leisure suit.
I would like the Thank Fox news.........
September 18, 2007 - 12:43 ET by JayTeebasically Fox news censorship said...........
To Sally Fields...
S.T.F.U. we don't wanna hear it...and for that, I'm thankful.
Newsbusters, unfortunately, has filled in the blanks of what Sally said. I could have done without that, but I forgive them...this time.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
Sorry
September 18, 2007 - 12:52 ET by Michael M. BatesI apologize if I offended.
Sometime Michael....NB has to deliver the "BAD" news
September 18, 2007 - 14:47 ET by JayTeeIt Rarely happens, but sometimes you can't avoid telling us NB'ers what Sally, Hillary, The View Girls, really said......we'll just have to take it....along with the 99% of Good News.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
How about those of us who feel a chill
September 18, 2007 - 12:52 ET by Dee Bunkbecause we are not allowed to go on all these award shows and spew our politics even though we are not politicians and it's not a political event? Isn't it more a threat to free speech to only allow one point of view to be heard?
It's not like they silenced a political pundit from moderating a political debate like PBS did with pressure from Move-on. It's a strange world we live in where people can't see anything wrong with shutting down one side of the political debate on a political show but are outraged that both are kept out of a non political show.
Free speech, Dee Bunk
September 18, 2007 - 12:54 ET by Michael M. BatesFree speech? I think the immortal Barry Manilow straightened us all out on that subject recently. It's dangerous.
Oh yeah - poor Barry Manilow
September 18, 2007 - 13:17 ET by Dee BunkHe can't go on a political/entertainment show being one of 4 liberals with one marginal conservative who is polite and respectful. His segment wouldn't even be about politics unless he wanted it to be.
I could see if it was Ann Coulter he refused to go on with, but Elizabeth? It's pretty scary when people are getting scared of her.
BM
September 18, 2007 - 13:27 ET by Michael M. BatesI could see if it was Ann Coulter he refused to go on with, but Elizabeth? It's pretty scary when people are getting scared of her.
Maybe what really scares him is the possibility that Elisabeth could be slightly more feminine than he is.
That's a good one Michael - Elizabeth is the only feminine one
September 18, 2007 - 15:12 ET by Dee BunkThat's a good one Michael - Elizabeth is the only feminine one on there so that probably is the problem! Liberals can only handle femininity when it comes with complete airheadedness or in a male.
Question for the scholarly Ms. Feilds...
September 18, 2007 - 12:58 ET by c5thenSo you are saying that when England, Spain, Russia, and the rest of the European countries were ruled by Queens instead of Kings, that all was peacefull and their were no wars or invasions?
Censoring an acceptance speach at an entertainment awards banquett is no big deal.
Censoring a twit making a false political statement with obscene language during an acceptance speach at an entertainment awards banquett is a public service.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Fred08.com
Scholarly Sally
September 18, 2007 - 13:04 ET by Michael M. BatesI'm not sure that Sally's so bright, or if it's just that persuasive way she reads the Boniva scripts.
This is your mouth on Boniva
September 18, 2007 - 14:40 ET by acumen"....that persuasive way she reads the Boniva scripts."
LOL Mike. Now we know why she was struggling to pick out a dress - What color will accent the rage I'm going to unleash on g-d men tonight?
Thankfully the Boniva people edited her during the jump rope scene with the kids. I envision it went something like this; You g-d kids start acting like you're having fun or I'm going to call your g-d father and he'll unleash g-d war on you. I've got a g-d emmy show to get to tonight so I can praise us loving mothers.
Common side effects with Boniva are diarrhea associated with hateful rants.
Sally and Boniva, acumen
September 18, 2007 - 16:05 ET by Michael M. BatesLOL. You mean those kiddies are supposed to be her kids? I thought they were grandchildren. She's certainly old enough.
Sure was a lot of wars when
September 18, 2007 - 17:30 ET by ahusserSure was a lot of wars when Elizabeth and Victoria were Queens of England. Elizabeth was not a mother but Victoria was.
What about Michael Richards' rant?
September 18, 2007 - 13:35 ET by greenfairieNot a single news outlet that I know of ran Michael Richards's tirade uncensored. T.V. broadcasts bleeped out the profanity and n-words, while newspapers alluded to "the n-word" and "racist language." The obliviots don't seem to understand that the "g.d." word is just as offensive as "the n-word" to a lot of people.
N-word
September 18, 2007 - 13:38 ET by Michael M. BatesThe obliviots don't seem to understand that the "g.d." word is just as offensive as "the n-word" to a lot of people.
Maybe that's because the Reverend Mr. Sharpton doesn't say it is. And the NAACP hasn't declared it's dead.
The "drop-outs" were
September 18, 2007 - 13:39 ET by balboaThe "drop-outs" were clunky, as was most of this baaaad Emmy production. But to criticize them for bleeping Sally Field is a poor complaint. I couldn't figure out why the bleeped Ray Romano, and on Fox of all places, or the cutaway from Katherine Heigel. Those were weird.
baaaad Emmy show
September 18, 2007 - 13:44 ET by Michael M. BatesThe "drop-outs" were clunky, as was most of this baaaad Emmy production.
Missed it. Fortunately, there was a football game on at the same time.
I actually watch the Emmys
September 18, 2007 - 13:53 ET by balboaI actually watch the Emmys for one reason: the film clips that Leno, Stewart, Letterman, etc., put together for the category Best Writing in a Comedy / Variety Show. They're always funny.
But this show was awkward, poorly done.
Bal - I thought the Romano
September 18, 2007 - 14:30 ET by mulerider24Bal - I thought the Romano censoring was on the fence, since the word "screwing" can probably be found on nearly any sitcom script these days. Fox probably erred on the side of caution given the "family friendly" atmosphere these award shows pretend to advertise. As a soon-to-be father, I would obviously applaud the call.
I would probably agree with the Heigel cutaway since reading her lips couldn't come anywhere close to those of a Major League Baseball manager or NFL coach.
Sally Field is lucky the
September 18, 2007 - 14:22 ET by stratmanSally Field is lucky the Emmy's weren't in Florida. She would have been tasered for her remarks like that college "dude".
That would have been "must see TV".
Otis my man! Everybody gator! (sounds of dozens of tasers delivering juice to the juiced up idiots of Hollyweird followed by unintelligible sounds from SAG elite)
Killing them with kindness isn't working. Time to get scrappy with the Donkeys.
Bozell wrote [expletive] be more like him
September 18, 2007 - 15:19 ET by Daniel BakerI would like news busters to pledge that they will only use [expletive] to describe someone cursing. You could even use [Lord's name in vain] or [Scatalogical Term] if you really want to be specific.
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Momma always said, "Life is
September 18, 2007 - 16:22 ET by drillanwrMomma always said, "Life is like a box of chocolates ... Sometimes you get fruits ... sometimes you get nuts ... other times it's just all fillers ..."
Mama said, drillanwr
September 18, 2007 - 16:32 ET by Michael M. BatesMomma always said, "Life is like a box of chocolates ... Sometimes you get fruits ... sometimes you get nuts ... other times it's just all fillers ..."
Nuts? Fruits? Just fillers? Sounds like a Democrat convention.
Sounds like a Democrat
September 18, 2007 - 16:38 ET by drillanwrSounds like a Democrat convention.
Ain't that what these "awards" shows really are?
It's still a little early ... With a sort-of Oscar and now and Emmy under his size XXXL belt, Al Gore might now have the needed gravitas for celebrity-minded voters.
Here's an idea
September 18, 2007 - 16:33 ET by drillanwrWhy don't all these concerned newspapers (who are not only losing circulation but ad buyers) offer "discounted" rates for all these Hollywood celebrities so they can purchase full page ads against the war, Bush, GW, wearing fur, eating meat, Cuban healthcare ... whatever tickles their Botoxed butts.
What? You say they shouldn't have to pay in order for us, the pee-ons, to hear their opinions? We should be hit with it in the middle of concerts and awards shows?
How cheap are celebrities?
How cheap are celebrities?
September 18, 2007 - 16:38 ET by Michael M. BatesDon't know that it's so much a matter of cheapness as it is a sense by some that they have an apostolic right to be approvingly heard by the riff raff they've deigned to "entertain."