Nude Buttocks May Cost ABC $1.4 Million

I stole that headline directly from the Associated Press. I admit it, because it was way too funny, and too perfect to paraphrase. NYPD Blue is in trouble again, for some bare derrieres. Whose nude buttocks are so pricey you ask? Actress Charlotte Ross. Yeah, not Dennis Franz, so I really don't see what the problem was. You're probably sitting there asking yourself, "Wait, NYPD Blue is still on the air?" No, no it's not. This was for an episode that aired on February 25th, 2003. Yes your math is correct, that was nearly five years ago. The FCC must have one insane work backlog. I know they talk about the inefficiency of the government, but damn. Late last night they issued a massive fine against ABC and its affiliates for showing some bootay.

From Broadcasting & Cable:
The commission late Friday issued a proposed fine totaling almost $1.4 million against 50-some ABC affiliates for airing a Feb. 25, 2003, episode of NYPD Blue that included "adult female nudity," specifically a "small portion of one side of her breasts" and a side view of her buttocks, the FCC said, and another scene of her naked from the back. Rather than the fleeting nudity and profanity decisions currently being challenged in court, the FCC said the scene "dwelled" on the nudity and was lingering," as well as "shocking and titillating."

The FCC defines indecent content as depicting or describing "sexual or excretory activities" in a "patently offensive way." ABC argued that "the buttocks are not a sexual organ." But the agency rejected that, saying buttocks qualifies as both sexual and excretory.