Victoria's Secret Show Scrapped

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,13882,00.html

 

Victoria's Secret Show Scrapped

 

by Josh Grossberg

Apr 12, 2004, 10:30 AM PT

 

The secret's out.

 

Victoria's Secret has decided to scrap its annual fall fashion show on CBS because of the lingering fallout over Janet Jackson's Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction" and the Federal Communications Commission's crackdown on what it considers to be indecent programming.

 

Ed Razek, Victoria's Secret's creative director, confirmed the news in Monday's edition of the Wall Street Journal, saying the Columbus, Ohio-based chain felt the timing wasn't right for the 60-minute jiggle show given the backlash over Breast Gate, which has led to network broadcasters taking extra precautions with the content they air.

 

"It was a mutual decision [with CBS]. We were in the middle of negotiations when it became apparent that to consummate a deal made no sense," Razek told the Journal. "We thought that our time and effort and money could be better spent positioning Victoria's Secret as a holiday gift-giving destination."

 

While insisting that the current cultural climate didn't play a huge role in the cancellation, the decision to pull the plug was a no-brainer given that the Victoria's catwalk extravaganza has come under fire in the past by conservative critics who've accused the lingerie company's owner, Limited Brands, of selling sex by parading scantily clad beauties around in their underwear.

 

But we ask: Isn't that the point of a lingerie show?

 

In 2002, after receiving numerous complaints from advocacy groups such as the National Organization for Women, the FCC launched an investigation but ultimately declared that Victoria's stable of gorgeous supermodels, including Gisele Bündchen, Tyra Banks, and Heidi Klum, were not too hot for TV, nor did they violate the agency's standards for lewd behavior that would warrant it to take tough action.

 

But following the public outcry over Jackson's mammary faux pas, congress initiated legislation to increase fines for violators, prompting the FCC to enforce the rules more vigorously.

 

Ironically, despite the hoopla, the $10 million fashion show failed to attract a whole lot of ratings when ABC first aired it in November 2001 and in subsequent broadcasts on CBS over the last two years, reports the Journal. The special also didn't do much to increase lingerie sales for the Limited during the holiday shopping season--though it did boost traffic in mall outlets.

 

Reps for CBS and the Limited were unavailable for comment.

 

Victoria's Secret and the Eye network aren't the only ones feeling the heat over racy content. After railing for the past several months that the government is on a witch hunt, radio shock jock Howard Stern was booted off six Clear Channel Communications stations last week after federal regulators proposed $495,000 in penalties for sexually explicit content on his morning show.

 

Jackson's now infamous stunt also led to ABC instituting a five-second delay at this year's Oscars, not to mention putting the brakes on all live programming in general.

 

At least she has a sense of humor. While hosting Saturday Night Live this past weekend, the Rhythm Nation singer satirized herself in the show's opening skit, portraying National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice exposing herself before the 9-11 commission.

 

Meanwhile, fans of Victoria's Angels collection saddened to learn the special is on hold this year, you'll still be able to get your panty fix on the tube.

 

The Limited's latest Secret spot features Victoria's current sensation, Adriana Lima, in the company's latest angelic-themed campaign with Bob Dylan in Venice, Italy, accompanied by the maestro's 1997 hit "Love Sick," from his Grammy-winning album Time Out of Mind.

[Crimson Platypus 0]

My big brother said I couldn't watch that show.

[razazteca 0]

No worries there still is the Style Network and E! to um......er....keep you in the mood whenever need it.

[starvenger 0]

Well, I have lots of porn burned on to CDs, so I think I'll manage to get by. And on a positive note, my fiancee can't bug me about watching the show now...

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

Oh I'm not mad they're not showing it. Just seeing how much the FCC and the rest of the US have over reacted to a boob showing for 3 seconds.

[starvenger 0]

Oh I'm not mad they're not showing it. Just seeing how much the FCC and the rest of the US have over reacted to a boob showing for 3 seconds.

Correction: A boob with a weird metallic pastie.

 

Kinda makes you wonder how Baywatch ever made it to air, doesn't it?

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

Kinda makes you wonder how Baywatch ever made it to air, doesn't it?

Because Hasselhoff is so awesome and everyone knows it.

[Guest Sturgis]

Oh I'm not mad they're not showing it. Just seeing how much the FCC and the rest of the US have over reacted to a boob showing for 3 seconds.

Correction: A boob with a weird metallic pastie.

Actually it was a piercing.

[Nighthawk 0]

Fucked up piercing.

[starvenger 0]

Oh I'm not mad they're not showing it. Just seeing how much the FCC and the rest of the US have over reacted to a boob showing for 3 seconds.

Correction: A boob with a weird metallic pastie.

Actually it was a piercing.

Duly noted. It was still some weird shit.

[Ripper 0]

Oh I'm not mad they're not showing it. Just seeing how much the FCC and the rest of the US have over reacted to a boob showing for 3 seconds.

Correction: A boob with a weird metallic pastie.

Actually it was a piercing.

Duly noted. It was still some weird shit.

That was kick ass nipple jewlery.

[brokentusk16 0]

Oh for cryin' out loud, when is America going to get over this Janet Jackson thing!?! Just look at MTV, we see women with their breasts hanging out ALL THE TIME!!!