# TV Stations Cancel 'Saving Private Ryan' **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 11, 2004, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136 "2004-11-11T03:06:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/41 "2004-11-11T15:14:50Z")
Kick Janet in the teeth for showing her nipple? How quaint: restore the balance through violence. Look. It’s not her fault that people hysterically overreacted to a bit of boob. \*\*It’s not her fault that people hysterically overreacted to a bit of boob. \*\* Don’t blame the wrong person here. I would love for us to go to a European system. Nonsexual nudity isn’t really a problem on television; sexual nudity isn’t really a problem after say 10 pm. Violence on television is restricted during hours that kids might be watching. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/42 "2004-11-11T15:31:41Z")
> [@Dead Badger](#): > > It’s a false dilemma. No, not a false dilemma. A bit of hyperbole maybe, but only to illustrate a point. FWIW, I agree that self-censorship works to a degree, but I have no doubts that some stations would get away with murder if they could. Do you really think that Fox would show any amount of self-retraint if they didn’t have to? As it is, I’m fairly satisfied with things the way they are. Limit racy content for broadcast TV and basic cable, where nearly anyone has access. Impose no limits where consumers have to put in a little effort to watch, such as premium channels, pay-per-view, and video rentals. But yes, the FCC needs to be more consistant. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/43 "2004-11-11T15:31:53Z")
> [@Rysler](#): > > Sorry, **Bruce\_Daddy** , I meant [banal](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=banal). Let me point out that I never accused Spielberg of propaganda, nor would I, regarding _this particular film_. One point for each of us. Truce? :sigh: Banal means the same thing so my earlier point still stands but you know what they say about arguing on the internet. I’ve had my little say and I’ll drop it. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/44 "2004-11-11T15:50:26Z")
For the record, “I blame Janet” in my OP was a throwaway line. I thought the grain of salt and sarcasm was a little more obvious than it apparently was. But, at the same time, it certainly was a turning point in the over-cautiousness of what can and can’t be broadcast, not only on TV, but on radio. Howard Stern (maybe not the best [example](http://radio.about.com/cs/sternindecency/a/blRIPlist.htm)), Bono, Clear Channel, Dale Earnhardt, Jr (probably a better [example](http://www.nascar.com/2004/news/headlines/cup/10/05/dearnhardtjr_points/)) and others would probably agree. Going forward, and to avoid further misunderstandings, sarcasm by me will be more clearly defined, perhaps by making it different color text. Present example included. 😉 I also was not the one who advocated kicking her in the teeth. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/45 "2004-11-11T15:57:53Z")
> [@Casey1505](#): > > For the record, “I blame Janet” in my OP was a throwaway line. Apparently you threw it away before you even posted it–it doesn’t appear in your OP at all :). What does appear there is: > [@](#): > > And while we’re at it, fuck you Janet. You bear some of the responsibility for this nonsense. and, in a later post, > [@](#): > > If the attention-whore didn’t have a “wardrobe malfunction” , then this conversation would not be happening. I’ll take your word that you were being sarcastic–that you DON’T think she bears responsibility for the nonsense, and that you DON’T hold her accountable for our having this conversation–but that’s not the impression I got from the posts. All the same, my real ire was directed at the kid who suggested kicking her in the teeth, a gruesome suggestion even in jest. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![dre2xl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/34f0e0/32.png) [@dre2xl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dre2xl)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/46 "2004-11-11T16:43:10Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Quick question for all those opposed to censorship: Would it be OK if, during airings of Sesame Street, a few scenes of hardcore porn were cut in? I’m in complete support of that. Then maybe parents will actually turn the TV off and keep it off. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/47 "2004-11-11T17:29:41Z")
> [@Casey1505](#): > > I saw “my trite propaganda film” in the theaters when it came out. I went to the 5 PM showing. After the movie, I swung by my grandparents house on my way home to let him know I saw it. He landed D-Day +1, but he never really talked much about it. Like many of his generation, he was very proud but modest about what they did. . . . What lesson am I learning about an entire generation of extraordinary men and women by watching _Kill Bill_? Seriously, I’ve got nothing against QT or his work, but think about it. You yourself said it: “No comparison”. So wait - your grandfather was involved in the Normandy Invasion and you never bothered to _ask him about it?_ Huh. Anyway, I’d love them to show Kill Bill uncut on TV. But incredible direction, brilliant acting, and some of the best fighting scenes in cinematic history don’t stand up to a film that tells us what we want to hear about World War II. Christ was Saving Private Ryan ever mediocre. But silly, patronizing sentimentality seems to be popular around here. > [@tdn](#): > > Quick question for all those opposed to censorship: Would it be OK if, during airings of Sesame Street, a few scenes of hardcore porn were cut in? Should the Disney Channel randomly show (real life) decapitations? Should capital punishment be a prime time show? > > If not, then where do we draw the line? Is any level of censorship acceptable? OH MY GOD!! We’re going down a slippery slope! First we see a nipple, then a war movie, and soon they’ll FORCE our children to watch pornography like in A Clockwork Orange. While people from Massachusetts are forcing us into polyamorous relationships with out pets! When’s it all end, huh? > [@bruce\_daddy](#): > > For those of you who think this movie is ‘trite’ or ‘propaganda’, please keep it to yourself. Some of us have fathers and grandfathers who fought it that war and believe the movie to be an accurate depiction of what happened there. So a relative fought in World War II, thus any movie about it, no matter how poor in quality, is Holy and not to be questioned. Gotcha. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/48 "2004-11-11T17:43:16Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > OH MY GOD!! We’re going down a slippery slope! First we see a nipple, then a war movie, and soon they’ll FORCE our children to watch pornography like in A Clockwork Orange. While people from Massachusetts are forcing us into polyamorous relationships with out pets! When’s it all end, huh? First of all, I’m from Massachusetts and I can tell you from first hand experience that no one forcing us into polyamorous relationships with out pets. It remains optional. So there. Secondly, yeah, it was a slippery slope argument. I know. But I said it to illustrate that there are some boundries past which none of us will go. So I think we can all agree that _some_ level of censorship is acceptable, even desireable. The question is, how much is too much? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/49 "2004-11-11T17:58:46Z")
Yup, we’re all in danger. Nipples, porn, polygamy with farm animals, dogs and cats living together (they do at my house, I’m already doomed), and you know what THAT leads to. It leads to singing, card playing and dancing. :eek: Pvt. Ryan is a war movie. It is nothing more, nothing less. War movies are violent. You can’t shoot or blow up the Bad Guy in any nice way, it’s violent. So there’s cursing. GI’s do curse a lot. So what? You hear the same words at work, in school, at home, on the street. I don’t see why the movie had to be cancelled. Stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/50 "2004-11-11T18:12:00Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > So a relative fought in World War II, thus any movie about it, no matter how poor in quality, is Holy and not to be questioned. Gotcha. Yes, that’s exactly what I said. Thanks for paying attention, ass. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/51 "2004-11-11T18:23:26Z")
Okay, can I resolve this once and for all? **Bruce** and **Casey** both liked the movie. **Excalibre** and **Rysler** didn’t much like it. Now, here’s the resolution: _ **Different Strokes for Different Folks** _. Can we all hug and make up now? Geez, guys. The movie isn’t a sacred document. No need to get worked up over a difference in opinion over it. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/52 "2004-11-11T18:27:37Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Geez, guys. The movie isn’t a sacred document. No need to get worked up over a difference in opinion over it. No shit. The way they’re going at it, I thought the movie was directed by Verhoeven. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/53 "2004-11-11T18:31:20Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > No shit. The way they’re going at it, I thought the movie was directed by Verhoeven. I giggle much. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/54 "2004-11-11T18:32:18Z")
> [@Bruce\_Daddy](#): > > For those of you who think this movie is ‘trite’ or ‘propaganda’, please keep it to yourself. Some of us have fathers and grandfathers who fought it that war and believe the movie to be an accurate depiction of what happened there. Hey, dickhead: try and figure out the difference between a movie about an historical event and the event itself. You liked the movie. Fantastic. I didn’t. So fucking what? Not liking _Saving Private Ryan_ is not the same as disrespecting the people who fought and died on the beaches, and fuck you for not being able to tell the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/55 "2004-11-11T18:33:55Z")
Very well. Perhaps today is not a good day to rationally discuss this, of all days. And I apologize to **Excalibre** , personal insults were unwarranted. ---
**Author:** ![Avenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@Avenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avenger)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/56 "2004-11-11T21:18:32Z")
Apologising for personal insults in the pit? Man, this place is going downhill… ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/57 "2004-11-11T21:24:30Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > First of all, I’m from Massachusetts and I can tell you from first hand experience that no one forcing us into polyamorous relationships with out pets. It remains optional. So there. > > Secondly, yeah, it was a slippery slope argument. I know. But I said it to illustrate that there are some boundries past which none of us will go. So I think we can all agree that _some_ level of censorship is acceptable, even desireable. The question is, how much is too much? I meant “with our pets”. Not “with out pets”. I was typing on a qwerty keyboard in a computer lab, and it makes things difficult for me. At any rate, sure, there’s a point you don’t want to cross. But when has anyone suggested doing that? Have any of the networks decided to show porn during Saturday morning cartoons? > [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Geez, guys. The movie isn’t a sacred document. No need to get worked up over a difference in opinion over it. > > Daniel That’s all I was trying to get at. I’m just not nice about things. Don’t get me wrong; US involvement in World War II was necessary and it’s one of the best things we’ve done as a nation. But the movie was still lame. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/58 "2004-11-11T21:58:11Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > I meant “with our pets”. Not “with out pets”. I was typing on a qwerty keyboard in a computer lab, and it makes things difficult for me. Yep, I got what you meant, and in fact didn’t even notice your typo. > [@](#): > > At any rate, sure, there’s a point you don’t want to cross. But when has anyone suggested doing that? Have any of the networks decided to show porn during Saturday morning cartoons? Back when my point was still relevant (which it isn’t anymore), this thread looked like it was headed in an “All censorship is bad” sort of direction. And I liked the movie. Not enough to want to see it a second time, but I don’t regret having watched it. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/59 "2004-11-11T21:59:20Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Not liking _Saving Private Ryan_ is not the same as disrespecting the people who fought and died on the beaches, and fuck you for not being able to tell the difference. When a historically accurate\* film showing the heroics of our soldiers in WWII is described as “trite propaganda”, my knee tends to jerk. I think it is important that people realize the horror or war and the sacrifice given. IMO, this puts films like this and Schindler’s List in a very different category than ones like Kill Bill. I am able to tell the difference and I am able to understand your point/argument, even if the reverse is not true. I withdraw my childish name-calling to you as well. \*I am basing this on the reaction and comments of Vets I know as well as the reported reactions of Vets I don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136/60 "2004-11-11T23:36:33Z")
Why the different standards for cable and broadcast? I guess the logic is that one must buy the cable service, while broadcast is free, but to me, there seems to be some pieces missing in that logic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-stations-cancel-saving-private-ryan/274136.md?page=4)