Nip/Tuck Campaign - Parents Television Council ::

Nip/Tuck is one of the most profane, sexually explicit and violent shows in the history of television, and it promises to get worse. The creative team behind Nip/Tuck has publicly stated their desire to be even more explicit in the coming season. During the 2007 TCA tour, series star Julian McMahon said, “I don’t think the show is kinky enough… I’ve kind of pushed for that kind of stuff consistently… I just want to push things even further.”

1) Cable subscribers are forced to pay for it as part of their expanded basic cable subscription – even if they don’t want it coming into their homes.

America’s families don’t have a choice about bringing Nip/Tuck or the FX network into their homes. It comes with their expanded basic cable package. And because cable subscribers can not “unsubscribe” to networks they don’t want, families are forced to subsidize this content with their monthly cable bill.

2) Nip/Tuck can influence content by making advertisers comfortable with the content

In most cases the only real obstacle to getting edgy and offensive content on television is finding sponsors that are willing to associate with such content. Once that obstacle is overcome, there is very little keeping that same content from finding its way to broadcast television or to earlier time slots. Hence the “time of day” defense is a fallacy.
Advertisers cannot use the excuse that “it airs after 10 p.m. when children should be in bed.” Whether children are in the audience or not, advertisers are underwriting this material and once they are comfortable sponsoring brutal violence, rape, profanity, and sexually explicit content on cable, they will be more likely to sponsor it elsewhere.
One TV producer told the Los Angeles Times “There was a time when the airwaves were a public trust, and the television code was enforcing it. People were worried about losing their licenses. Today, if there’s a real difference, the line is being drawn almost exclusively by the advertising industry. If advertisers are willing to buy time on shows with more risqué content, they will go ahead and sell it.”
Corporations that advertise on Nip/Tuck show their complete and utter disregard for American families by supporting this socially irresponsible show.

3) Nip/Tuck can influence content on other networks during

other times of day

Programs that air late at night or which are primarily intended for adult viewers can influence content on broadcast television and in earlier time slots.
Nip/Tuck series creator Ryan Murphy knows that his series has the potential to forever change TV standards. That’s why he boasted on Bravo’s Sex in the Box “It’s tough to get that sexual point of view across on television. Hopefully I have made it possible for somebody on broadcast television to do a rear-entry scene in three years. Maybe that will be my legacy.”
The content on Nip/Tuck lowers the standards for all television programming by desensitizing viewers and putting pressure on other networks to follow its lead. During the 2007 TCA tour, Nip/Tuck creator Ryan Murphy took credit for pushing the boundaries for content on television, and said that other networks have followed suit: “Television is a thing where some doors have to be pushed open and, once those doors are pushed open, other people will follow. I think our show – two years, particularly – we did a lot of very bold things.”
Remember what happened when NYPD Blue debuted and viewers learned that a character's naked buttocks were going to be shown. Although the nudity appeared in a ten o'clock program viewed primarily by adults, it set a precedent. Within a few short years rear nudity became commonplace on television. So much so, that when a character on the short-lived NBC sitcom Watching Ellie was shown running naked down the hall at 8:30 at night, no one even noticed. Basic cable programming is frequently repackaged for broadcast network channels. It is very likely that Nip/Tuck will be syndicated for broadcast television much like other graphic cable programs (Sex and the City, The Shield).

LATEST HIGHLIGHTS

Wal-Mart Mistakenly Supported Nip/Tuck

Bentonville, AR: In a hand written note dated 11/29/07, Stephen Quinn, CMO for Wal-Mart confirmed PTC suspicions that the retail giant unintentionally sponsored a recent episode of Nip/Tuck. Mr. Quinn writes: “I apologize for the error – We are reviewing this situation and our procedures”. The PTC applauds Wal-Mart for their responsible action.

BMW Pulls Ads From Nip/Tuck

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey: BMW of North America has announced in a letter dated 11/19/2007 to the PTC;”…we did not intend, nor do we plan in the future, to advertise on this program (Nip/Tuck).” Jack Pitney, VP of Marketing writing on behalf of Chairman Purves continued, “My advertising team has taken deliberate action to instruct the network on future placement of BMW bonus spots. As to the current situation, I hope you and members of the Council will accept my profound regrets.” The PTC applauds BMW for their responsible action.

Mazda Dealer Offended by Nip/Tuck

Robert Devaux, General Manager of Browns Mazda stated "…we were surprised and offended at the specific language as well as the overall message of the program." "…we certainly will suspend all advertising support of that program (Nip/Tuck)." Browns Mazda is located in Fairfax, Virginia.

► Click Here to view the letter from Mazda.

Verizon Ends Support of Nip/Tuck

Liz Avalos of Verizon confirmed that her company stopped supporting Nip/Tuck at the end of November due to graphic content issues. Verizon has no plans to advertise in any future episodes.

Best Western International Inc. drops Nip/Tuck

In a letter to the PTC, a Best Western representative stated, "...it is agreed that this is inappropriate programming for Best Western and we have instructed our media agency to immediately stop advertising on that particular show."

► Click Here to view the letter from Best Western.

PNC Financial Services has dropped its support of Nip/Tuck

"We agree that the content of the show is highly objectionable" states Mark Hendrix, Director of Corporate Marketing. PNC suggested they bought a media plan that was a "rotation of schedule" buy. If true, this supports the PTC's belief that the prices FX is able to charge advertisers for Nip/Tuck are declining. The PTC arrived at that opinion because unknowing advertisers are appearing in a premiere episode and it is being sold as "ROS" – in essence wholesale pricing of a flagship series.

► Click Here to view the letter from PNC Bank.

Cable subscribers everywhere should be outraged and demand to know why they are being forced to subsidize bestiality with their cable bills. Yes, you heard me right: bestiality, where a person engages in sexual activity with an animal. And if you subscribe to cable or satellite TV so you can watch ESPN or History Channel or CNN or Fox News, then you helped pay for that disgusting content. That's why we urgently need you to respond to this call-to-action. Please take a moment today to write to your Congressman and Senators and demand Cable Choice.

Go to www.capwiz.com/parentstv/issues/alert/?alertid=9069271 to send your letter today.

The FX Network launched its season premiere of Nip/Tuck on September 5^th. Now in its fourth season, Nip/Tuck continues to set a new low in television standards as one of the most profane, sexually explicit and violent shows in the history of television.

Exclusively sponsored by Sony Pictures the season premiere includes: Sean presents Christian with a golden scalpel to mark their 5000^th plastic surgery. Christian celebrates by having sex with Jill and Riley, a mother and daughter, simultaneously. Jill complements Christian on the décor of his house; saying usually only gay men have such style. Sean performs a "voice lift" on a phone sex operator Cindy Plumb, making her sound younger. Sean calls Cindy for phone sex. Christian consults Faith again and has sex with her.

Sex acts depicted in this episode include: a bare-chested Christian smirks and grabs a handful of condoms from his drawer. Christian throws the condoms all over his bed, where Jill (in a black negligee) and Riley (in black bra and panties) recline. Christian strips off his underwear. His bare buttocks are seen. Jill and Riley gaze at his crotch with admiring expressions. Riley grins. Christian climbs onto the bed with them, his naked rear pointing directly at the camera. Sean kisses Julia's pregnant belly and moves down toward her crotch. Jill kneels behind Riley and caresses her hair as Christian kisses her chest. Jill's other hand cups and fondles Riley's breast. Christian kisses down Riley's body to her crotch. Sean and Julia's feet kick wildly as they have intercourse. Riley grins and giggles as Christian has intercourse with her, thrusting into her from behind. Jill watches with amusement. Christian pants as he thrusts. Sean and Julia continue their intercourse, Julia straddling Sean and bouncing up and down as Sean thrust into her. She squeaks in pain. They change positions. Julia's face contorts and her body shakes as Sean mounts her from behind and violently thrusts into her. Sean gasps in pleasure.

Violence within the show includes: Sean and Christian simultaneously perform surgery on an elderly couple, both making incisions around their respective patients' ears. Blood flows from the wound freely. Sean operates on Cindy Plumb. He inserts a long probe-like device into her mouth and down her throat. Christian operates on Burt Landau, replacing his testicular implants.

LATEST HIGHLIGHTS

LATEST LOWLIGHTS FROM NIP/TUCK

Nip/Tuck on FX Episode Synopsis:

December 12, 2006 10:00 pm EST