Networks Vow War Won't Disrupt Reality
Los Angeles, CA | The major U.S. television networks are reassuring concerned viewers that a protracted war with Iraq will not interfere with regularly scheduled reality programming.
Switchboards were jammed by distraught callers Wednesday night after American Idol was interrupted by protracted footage of morning drivetime traffic in downtown Baghdad, prompting networks to initiate a "no preempt" policy for the future.
In part, a joint publicity statement said: "We respect our audience's right to enjoy Reality without intrusion. People who want boring documentaries certainly have the option to switch channels."
A long list of "hands-off" programming shows includes American Idol, Survivor, Are You Hot, Fear Factor and All American Girl. Conspicuously absent from this list was the Academy Awards ceremony, which is scheduled to run 45 minutes longer than the war itself.
In addition, affiliate stations are discouraged from in-depth war reporting, unless it features nude protesters.
They recommend local coverage concentrate mainly on arrests of movie stars and professional athletes, clone babies, shark attacks, Elvis sightings, celebrity dating habits, breaking news about Michael Jackson's plastic surgery or infant dangling, and revelations concerning Elizabeth Smart's sexual molestation.
