FCC considering fining CBS stations $550,000

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,14423,00.html

 

Janet's $500,000 Boob Job?

 

by Josh Grossberg

Jun 30, 2004, 5:35 PM PT

 

That's one pricey nipple shield.

 

Janet Jackson's Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction could end up costing CBS and parent company Viacom $550,000.

 

Five months after Boobgate shocked the world--or at least those stuffed shirts in Washington, D.C.--Federal Communications Commission staffers are recommending the agency fine CBS-owned stations for the unwanted halftime entertainment.

 

All told, 20 CBS stations would be fined $27,500 each for broadcasting the funk-pop diva's breast, a source familiar with the report told CNN.

 

Should the recommendation be accepted, it would add up to $550,000 in fines for Viacom, whose MTV produced the halftime show for CBS.

 

However, according to the report, the staff declined to recommend a fine for those CBS affiliates who aired Jackson's errant boob but are not owned by Viacom.

 

An FCC spokesperson could not be reached for comment. A rep for CBS also declined to comment.

 

The five-member commission, led by chairman Michael Powell, is reportedly reviewing the case and are expected to issue a decision within the week.

 

As the entire globe knows by now, Miss Jackson and dance partner Justin Timberlake performed a titillating halftime-ending duet of his hit "Rocky Your Body" that concluded with the 'N Syncer ripping off a patch of her leather bodice to briefly reveal her sun-spangled right breast before some 140 million viewers.

 

The FCC fielded more than 500,00 calls from outraged viewers demanding a crackdown.

 

Viacom immediately issued an apology over the flashdance and has since implemented a brief delay on live broadcasts to prevent any such replay.

 

Meanwhile, Jackson has rebounded nicely since the post-boob backlash, spoofing the controversy on Saturday Night Live and poking fun at her nipple-shielding scheme in a music video.

 

Perhaps in a sign that things are at last returning to normal, Jackson performed live at Tuesday night's BET Awards. She even managed to keep her clothes on.

[Mole 0]

Good job Janet, we are in the 1950s again.

[razazteca 0]

What are you worried about? I watch poor white trash run around flashing their breast on Jerry Springer everyday and during commercial breaks I watch BET music videos of women shaking their ass or in the case of the new Nelly video showoff camel toes.

[Mole 0]

BET is cable so FCC can't touch them, yet.

[bobobrazil1984 0]

Why are only the 20 CBS stations being fined and none of the non-CBS affiliates?