MRC-TV: Bozell Addresses PBS Editing Out Tina Fey's Anti-Palin Jokes at Mark Twain Prize Ceremony
Upon receiving the Kennedy Center's Mark Train Prize for American Humor on November 9, comedian Tina Fey trashed Sarah Palin in her acceptance speech.
By the time PBS broadcast the taped ceremony, the taxpayer-subsidized network had edited out some of Fey's harsher jokes that maligned the former Alaska governor.
NewsBusters publisher and Media Research Center founder Brent Bozell appeared in studio on today's "Fox & Friends" to address the controversy, lauding PBS for doing the right thing by making those edits.
[Video follows after page break]
Bozell argued that PBS edited out Fey's remarks both out of consideration for the length of broadcast and because Fey had crossed a line of good taste:
BRENT BOZELL: It's something about these comedians, they don't know when and where things are appropriate. This is the Mark Twain award ceremony at the Kennedy Center. You leave that kind of stuff at home. You can be very funny without being offensive. That was clearly offensive so they took it out.... The greatest irony of all this is that she won the award because of that kind of humor.
GRETCHEN CARLSON, "Fox & Friends" host: So you actually think that it was a good thing that PBS, in supposedly trying to be fair and balanced, that they took those comments out?
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BOZELL: I think that this goes beyond politics and goes beyond ideology. It's a function of taste on an awards ceremony, they would want it to be positive and light-hearted and funny, and they don't want ugly politics in it.
CARLSON: Well, let's take a look at what PBS said about it. This is what they said, "It was not a political decision. We had zero problems with anything she said." How do you feel about that?
BOZELL: I don't think for a second you're going to find Sarah Palin pom-pom cheerleading people at PBS. I don't think they did have a single problem with that.
CARLSON: I didn't know there were Sarah Palin pom-poms.
BOZELL, chuckling: I don't know that there's anyone at PBS who is supportive of Sarah Palin. That's what I'm saying. It doesn't have anything to do with politics. I do believe it when they say that they support what she said. But it was offensive for this program, so they did the right thing in cutting it out.
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Comments
Defund The Center for Public Broadcasting
Submitted by TexasMom0517 on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 12:28pm.
Now, is the time to defund the whole CPB- it is irrelevant in this day and age. Even the Simpson-Bowles commission recommended it.
I am related to Mark Twain,
Submitted by killa37 on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 12:51pm.
I am related to Mark Twain, on my father's side. He was sharp, witty, smart, observant, cutting, coherent, and quick..............and always with class, good humor, and irony. I don't think he took too many prisoners in his assessment of things that he was discussing or commenting on. And I really think that he would have wondered what the hell a dimwit like Fey was doing there, before she even opened her stupid mouth!!!
I think she should be sending royalty checks to Sarah Palin for giving her dull career such a boost....................
I am related to Mark Twain,
Submitted by killa37 on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 1:25pm.
Double down!!!
I guess censorship is OK as
Submitted by bazzarworld on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 1:24pm.
I guess censorship is OK as long as it's for your side, eh Brent :)
If this was something else where a Conservative's comments were 'edited out' after poking fun at Obama, I'm sure we'd be hearing an entirely different story.
They do edit out comments or
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 2:59pm.
They do edit out comments or omit them entirely. This site is dedicated to pointing out LIBERAL BIAS so if you have something to say then do it. All other stuff is a figment of your imagination if not backed up by fact. Go get some proof bizzaro.
If you're so confident
Submitted by Iron Tigers Vet on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 3:02pm.
that Bozell and the MRC is "editing" stories, then please feel free to give us direct links to the story that was edited. Otherwise remove yourself from this adult conversation and return back to the basement at your mom's house and finish doing her dishes like you were told.
Censorship?
Submitted by MikeB on Thu, 11/18/2010 - 12:44pm.
I don't think you know the meaning of the word. There was no censorship involved. PBS edited out the offensive part. It was not done at the behest of the government or any government agent or agency. Learn the meanings of the words you use, bazzarworld.
The reaction to the Dixie Chicks was not censorship. The demise of Air America was not censorship. The failure of books by liberals is not censorship. And, PBS's editing of what is shown on their broadcasts is not censorship. Oy!
i disagree...
Submitted by owr084 on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 1:25pm.
I think PBS should have left the bad jokes in just to show the public how biased they really are. The more the public sees examples of how npr and pbs are biased and wasting taxpayer dollars, the better the chances of Congress cutting off the funding.
I Agree With Your Disagreement
Submitted by DoktorFranken on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 4:06pm.
Let the toads babble on. People with respect and intelligence will see the Left for what they truly are - classless, morose children. Note that there are almost NO Conservatives rallying for the shutting down of Olbermann, Schultz, Matthews, et al. It's almost always the LEFT that wants to shut down free speech. Let's leave it like that, Brent.
Tina Fey's hair
Submitted by Cactus Kurt on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 1:39pm.
Best quip regarding Tina Fey's acceptance speech came from Monica Crowely: "Tina Fey's hairstyle was a crime against humanity" Touche! That's funnier than anything Ms. Fey spewed.
Applaud them?
Submitted by theprofessor on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 1:45pm.
Applaud them for protecting Tina Fey from looking like the petty, bitchy, untalented doofus she is? You've got to be kidding.
A little off topic
Submitted by Model850 on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 2:04pm.
This is a little off topic but has anyone else noticed their local NPR station airing what seem like "run for cover" blurbs touting their listenership as "across the spectrum" and "bipartisan?"
I've started hearing these things the last couple of days. It almost seems like NPR is attempting to paint itself as middle-of-the-road. I wonder if this is perhaps out of fear of all the chatter about defunding CPB?
Not a fan of NPR but I listen a little in the morning to hear news (without all the happy chit-chat to be found on commercial stations), and I do like that one of my local "public" radio stations plays classical music almost exclusively. Not a lot of politics heard there unless it's time for the NPR news feed that lasts about 5 minutes.
I go by the adage "you shall
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 3:01pm.
I go by the adage "you shall know them by their fruits" and I have seen the fruits and they is nuts.
They only edited out the
Submitted by Barack_must_go..... on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 2:07pm.
They only edited out the Palin jokes because of the ongoing NPR defunding debate, nothing more, possily a little bit less.
I believe what ' We the People ' can glean from this other than a tiny bit of satisfaction, is the instilling of the genuine fear of GOD found once more by a left wing bomb thrower organization like PBS, NPR, etc. as a diret result of the Juan Williams debacle.
Barack_Must_Go.....
Come on. I'm sure it was a difficult decision to make
Submitted by Calypso Jones on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 2:58pm.
and they would have preferred to leave it in but then that would have meant that they continue to be on the hot seat. Regardless...she got the award, she said it and they agree with it. I see no honor in this bunch.
It doesn't sound to me like
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 3:21pm.
It doesn't sound to me like he has a problem with it....more like he was agreeing with their decision because they wanted it to be a "fun" show.
BOZELL: I think that this goes beyond politics and goes beyond ideology. It's a function of taste on an awards ceremony, they would want it to be positive and light-hearted and funny, and they don't want ugly politics in it.Anderson Cooper has the "edited out" stuff here, and only finds it ridiculous that PBS didn't admit that they didn't want to make the ceremony political, and instead tried to pass it off as editing for time. I agree with AC...editing out controversial political remarks ("unless you're a woman and have to buy your own rape kit) shouldn't cause a stir. Besides, when you watch Fey on the video, they lines weren't blockbuster; it was more a case of uncomfortable laughter.
Are you the only one?
Submitted by HockeyKid on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 3:22pm.
No. The article said he was "lauding PBS for doing the right thing by making those edits."
They did the right thing in terms of editing for a broadcast program--it's still illegal to say some things on broadcast TV, decorum and good taste aside. I can't say I agree with Brent's assessment of motive ("the would want it to be positive and light-hearted and funny, and they don't want ugly politics in it") because they seldom avoid ugly politics, historically speaking, and their spokesman said they liked everything Fey said. But, whatever their reason, they chose correctly for the broadcast. Now, if we could get the Kennedy Center to perform their due diligence in awarding the Mark Twain Award for American Comedy..."Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Here's the problem
Submitted by HockeyKid on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 3:13pm.
with Tina Fey and the Mark Twain award. Mark Twain was a humorist who had led a varied and hard-working life before settling down to writing and humor. He was a printer's apprentice, typesetter, printer, riverboat pilot, miner, publisher, and patented inventor. He also traveled extensively in a time when travel was a major undertaking. This experience became the basis for his humor.
Fey, on the other hand, has studied acting. Her entire life. That's it. Her basis for material comes entirely through someone else's experience, about which she has read or heard. When she had a chance to develop a sitcom, she created a show about a writer on a variety show--the only experience she's ever had.
There's no comparison. I really wish Tina had some real life experience to write about, because I think she'd be very funny, and much less offensive.
But PBS wouldn't like her then.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Perhaps PBS cut Fey's Palin complement out, for a reason
Submitted by Gary Hall on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 3:16pm.
Might be another side to the PBS edits of Tina Fey's remarks. Of the topic in question, there are two parts:
Part 1. And, you know, politics aside, the success of Sarah Palin and women like her is good for all women
Did PBS consider that such a view (albeit short lived, because of Part 2) as this might mark the beginning of understanding and indeed, a bit of civility? Could Palin be a good thing for women? There's been little indication, to date, that any segment of the MSM, PBS certainly included, has shown much interest in giving Palin a fair and balanced shot. Anyway you look at it, there will be little interest from the national media to promote the possibility that Palin is exposing their little glass house.
Part 2. - except, of course --those who will end up, you know, like, paying for their own rape 'kit 'n' stuff," Fey told the crowd. "But for everybody else, it's a win-win. Unless you're a gay woman who wants to marry your partner of 20 years - whatever. But for most women, the success of conservative women is good for all of us. Unless you believe in evolution. You know - actually, I take it back. The whole thing's a disaster.
Did PBS here, simply decide to use Fey's afterthought (punch line) in Part 2 as the excuse for not playing Part 1?
Everyone should be talking about "Part 1." The larger agenda of the MSM is to keep such out of the national discussion.
(;~/ gary
PBS and NPR ahve been around for some time
Submitted by Calypso Jones on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 3:19pm.
so like i'm so sure they've changed their attitudes over nite. HA.
Might it be
Submitted by 10ksnooker on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 3:28pm.
They noticed the House controls the money? LOL.
It Might
Submitted by DoktorFranken on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 4:13pm.
It just might.
PBS editing for
Submitted by Cowboy on Thu, 11/18/2010 - 1:55am.
PBS editing for content...
What a (non)shock!