Janet Jackson Fine Thrown Out

I just got this E-mail today from TV Watch

From Broadcasting & Cable
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the fine against CBS stations for their airing of the Janet Jackson Super Bowl reveal.
That was the incident that prompted the Federal Communications Commission's crackdown on broadcast content, under pressure from Congress.
The court concluded that the FCC was arbitrary and capricious in changing a decades-old policy of not holding fleeting nudity indecent.
It also concluded that the commission could not hold broadcasters to strict liability, which means that they could not be held "vicariously liable" for actions they did not take on their own. That means that stations could not be liable for an action they could not foresee.
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I got this E-mail from Parents Television Council

PTC Condemns Court Decision Overturning Super Bowl Striptease Indecency Fine
The Parents Television Council responded to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that threw out the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) fine given to CBS for airing Janet Jackson's breast during the 2004 Super Bowl, which shocked millions of unsuspecting families and children. The PTC and its 1.3 million members led the charge to clean up the airwaves by calling on the FCC to levy a hefty fine against CBS and its affiliates for violating the federal indecency law over this so-called "wardrobe malfunction," and the FCC rightly levied a fine. "Once again, a three-judge panel has hijacked the will of the American people -- not to mention the intent of the Congress acting on behalf of the public interest - when it comes to indecent content on the public airwaves. While we are not surprised that the legal venue hand-picked by CBS would rule in favor of the network, the court's opinion goes beyond judicial activism; it borders on judicial stupidity," said Tim Winter, president of the PTC, which filed an amicus brief in the case. "If a striptease during the Super Bowl in front of 90 million people -- including millions of children -- doesn't fit the parameters of broadcast indecency, then what does? If the Court thinks that the event wasn't shocking enough, even though it was the single largest news story for weeks when the nation was at war, then what is shocking enough?" ► Read More

I will now be short, sweet and to the point. IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON. We have given to much time and ink to one breast. People are loosing their houses. Gas is almost $5.00 a gallon. We are still fighting two wars and we will be selecting a new Commander and Chief in less than 100 days. IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON. So lets take one last look at the breast and then never speak of it again.

To quote William Shatner on SNL, "GET A LIFE, will you people? I mean, for crying out loud, it's just a TV show!"

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa

PS: This goes for Charlotte Ross' 1.4 Million-Dollar buttocks too.

Judge Judy taping interrupted by earthquake

JULY 29, 2008 Broadcast on Los Angeles' KCAL CH9

This is my Stand Up on the subject of Earthquakes

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa

Emmy nominations

Congratulations to all the nominees

COMEDY SERIES
"Entourage," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
"The Office,"NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"30 Rock," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio"Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
"Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios

DRAMA SERIES
"Boston Legal," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
"Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
"Heroes," NBC, Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"House," Fox • Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"The Sopranos," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

MINISERIES
“Broken Trail,” AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
"Prime Suspect: The Final Act” (Masterpiece Theatre), PBS, ITV Productions and WGBH Boston co-production
"The Starter Wife,” USA,Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio

MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE
“Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee,”HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
“Inside The Twin Towers,” Discovery Channel, A Dangerous Films Productions for BBC / RTL / France 2 and Discovery Channel in association with Blakeway Productions
“Longford,” HBO • A Granada Production in association with Channel 4 and HBO Films
“The Ron Clark Story,” TNT, Granada America and MAGNA Global Entertainment“Why I Wore Lipstick To My Mastectomy,” Lifetime, Produced by Grossbart Kent for Lifetime Television

REALITY
"Antiques Roadshow," PBS, WGBH Educational Foundation
"Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan," National Geographic, Produced by MPH Entertainment, Inc. in association with Emery/Sumner Productions for the National Geographic Channel
"Extreme Makeover Home Edition," ABC, Endemol USA
"Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List," Bravo, Picture This Television, Bravo
"Penn & Teller: Bullshit!," Showtime, Showtime Presents in association with Penn & Teller, A Division of Buggs and Rudy Discount Corporation, Star Price Productions, The Wolper Organization

REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM
"The Amazing Race," CBS, Amazing Race Productions Inc. and Touchstone Television Productions, LLC in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and WorldRace Productions, Inc.
"American Idol," Fox, FremantleMedia N.A., Inc. & 19TV Ltd.
"Dancing With The Stars," ABC, BBC Worldwide Productions, LLC
"Project Runway," Bravo, Magical Elves for The Weinstein Company/Miramax, Full Picture, Bravo
"Top Chef," Bravo, Magical Elves, Bravo

ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Ricky Gervais as Andy Millman, "Extras," HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment
Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk, "Monk," USA, NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Mandeville Films and Touchstone
Steve Carell as Michael Scott, "The Office," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy, "30 Rock," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper, "Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television

ACTOR IN A DRAMA
James Spader as Alan Shore, "Boston Legal," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House, "House," Fox. Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television
Denis Leary as Tommy Gavin, "Rescue Me," FX. Produced by Apostle, the Cloudland Company and DreamWorks Television in association with Sony Pictures Television
James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, "The Sopranos, HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, "24, Fox, Imagine Television & 20th Century Fox Television in association with Realtime Productions

ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Robert Duvall as Prentice "Print" Ritter, "Broken Trail," AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone, "Jesse Stone: Sea Change," CBS, TWS Productions II and Brandman Productions, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television
Jim Broadbent as Lord Longford, "Longford," HBO, A Granada Production in association with Channel 4 and HBO Films
William H. Macy as Clyde Umney & Sam Landry, "Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From The Stories Of Stephen King - Umney’s Last Case," TNT • Ostar Productions
Matthew Perry as Ron Clark, "The Ron Clark Story," TNT, Granada America and MAGNA Global Entertainment

ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, "Desperate Housewives," ABC, ABC Studios
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell, "The New Adventures Of Old Christine," CBS, Kari’s Logo Here in association with Warner Bros. Television
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon, "30 Rock," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios
Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin, "Weeds," Showtime, Showtime Presents in association with Lions Gate Television and Tilted Productions

ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Sally Field as Nora Walker, "Brothers & Sisters," ABC, ABC StudiosKyra Sedgwick as Dep. Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, "The Closer: Slippin’," TNT, The Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC, A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Patricia Arquette as Allison Dubois, "Medium," NBC, CBS Paramount Television, Grammnet, Picturemaker Productions
Minnie Driver as Dahlia Malloy, "The Riches," FX, FX Productions and Fox Television Studios
Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano, "The Sopranos," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Queen Latifah as Ana, "Life Support," HBO, Foxx/King Entertainment, Flavor Unit Films, Urban Romances and Shelby Stone Productions in association with HBO Films
Helen Mirren as Jane Tennison, "Prime Suspect: The Final Act (Masterpiece Theatre)," PBS, ITV Productions and WGBH Boston co-production
Mary-Louise Parker as Zenia Arden, "The Robber Bride," Oxygen, Working Title TV and Shaftesbury Films
Debra Messing as Molly Kagan, "The Starter Wife," USA. Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio
Gena Rowlands as Melissa Eisenbloom, "What If God Were The Sun," Lifetime, By Fox Television Studios, JECO Productions and Old Beantown Films for Lifetime Television

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Kevin Dillon as Johnny Drama, "Entourage," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold, "Entourage," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson, "How I Met Your Mother," CBS, Twentieth Century Fox
Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute, "The Office," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Jon Cryer as Alan Harper, "Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
William Shatner as Denny Crane, "Boston Legal," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti, "The Sopranos," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
T.R. Knight as George, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Masi Oka as Hiro Nakamura, "Heroes," NBC, Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Michael Emerson as Ben, "Lost," ABC, ABC StudiosTerry O’Quinn as John Locke, "Lost," ABC, ABC Studios

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Thomas Haden Church as Tom Harte, "Broken Trail," AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
August Schellenberg as Sitting Bull, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
Aidan Quinn as Senator Dawes, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
Edward Asner as Luke Spelman, "The Christmas Card," Hallmark, RHI Entertainment presents an Alpine Medien Production in association with Larry Levinson Productions
Joe Mantegna as Lou Manahan, "The Starter Wife," USA, Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Jaime Pressly as Joy Turner. "My Name Is Earl," NBC, Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Jenna Fischer as Pam Beesly. "The Office," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper. "Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Conchata Ferrell as Berta. "Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater. "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios
Elizabeth Perkins as Celia Hodes, "Weeds," Showtime. Showtime Presents in association with Lions Gate Television and Tilted Productions

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Whedon, "Brothers & Sisters," ABC, ABC Studios
Katherine Heigl as Isobel "Izzie" Stevens, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Chandra Wilson as Dr. Bailey, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios,
Aida Turturro as Janice Soprano, "The Sopranos," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Jennifer Melfi, "The Sopranos," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Greta Scacchi as Nola Johns, "Broken Trail," AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
Anna Paquin as Elaine Goodale, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
Samantha Morton as Myra Hindley, "Longford," HBO, A Granada Production in association with Channel 4 and HBO Films
Judy Davis as Joan McAllister, "The Starter Wife," USA, Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio
Toni Collette as Kathy Graham, "Tsunami, The Aftermath," HBO, A Kudos Film and Television Production in association with the BBC and HBO Films

GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Martin Landau as Bob Ryan, "Entourage," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Sir Ian McKellen as Himself, "Extras, HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment
Stanley Tucci as David Ruskin, "Monk, "USA, NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Mandeville Films and Touchstone
Giovanni Ribisi as Ralph Mariano, "My Name Is Earl," NBC, Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Beau Bridges as Carl Hickey, "My Name is Earl," NBC, Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television

GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Christian Clemenson as Jerry “Hands” Espenson, "Boston Legal," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Forest Whitaker as Curtis Ames, "ER, NBC, Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television
David Morse as Michael Tritter, "House, Fox, Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Tim Daly as J.T. Dolan, "The Sopranos, HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
John Goodman as Judge Robert Bebe, "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip, NBC, Shoe Money Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television
Eli Wallach as Eli Weintraub, "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip, NBC, Shoe Money Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television

GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Dixie Carter as Gloria Hodge, "Desperate Housewives," ABC, ABC Studios
Laurie Metcalf as Carolyn Bigsby, "Desperate Housewives," ABC, ABC Studios
Elaine Stritch as Colleen Donaghy, "30 Rock," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Judith Light as Claire Meade , "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC StudiosSalma Hayek as Sofia Reyes, "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios

GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Kate Burton as Ellis Grey, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Elizabeth Reaser as Jane Doe, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Marcia Gay Harden as Star Morrison, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC, A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Leslie Caron as Lorraine Chalmers, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC, A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Jean Smart as Martha Logan, "24," Fox, Imagine Television & 20th Century Fox Television in association with Realtime Productions

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE IN A VARIETY OR MUSIC PROGRAM
Ellen Degeneres, "79th Annual Academy Awards," ABC, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Stephen Colbert, "The Colbert Report," Comedy Central, Central Productions with Busboy Productions and Sparina Productions
Jon Stewart, "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," Comedy Central, Central Productions LLC and Hello Doggie, Inc.
David Letterman, "Late Show With David Letterman," CBS, Worldwide Pants, Inc.
Tony Bennett, "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," NBC, RPM TV Productions, Inc.

DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY
Julian Farino, "Entourage: One Day In The Valley," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, "Extras: Orlando Bloom," HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment
Ken Kwapis, "The Office: Gay Witch Hunt," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Will Mackenzie, "Scrubs: My Musical," NBC, ABC Studios
Scott Ellis, "30 Rock: The Breakup," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Richard Shepard, "Ugly Betty: Pilot," ABC, ABC Studios

DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA
Felix Alcala, Director "Battlestar Galactica: Exodus, Part 2," Sci Fi Channel • R+D TV in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Bill D’Elia, "Boston Legal: Son of the Defender," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Peter Berg, "Friday Night Lights: Pilot", NBC, Imagine Television, Film 44 in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
David Semel, "Heroes: Genesis, NBC," Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television StudioJack Bender, "Lost: Through the Looking Glass," ABC, ABC Studios
Alan Taylor, "The Sopranos: Kennedy And Heidi," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Thomas Schlamme, "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip: Pilot," NBC, Shoe Money Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television

DIRECTING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY PROGRAM
Bruce Gowers, "American Idol: The Finale, Fox, FremantleMedia N.A., Inc. & 19TV Ltd.
Jim Hoskinson, "The Colbert Report: Show #2161, Comedy Central, Central Productions with Busboy Productions and Sparina Productions
Chuck O’Neil, "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart: Show #12061, Comedy Central, Central Productions LLC and Hello Doggie, Inc.
Don Roy King, "Saturday Night Live: Host: Alec Baldwin, NBC, SNL Studios in association with NBC Studios and Broadway VideoRob Marshall, "Tony Bennett: An American Classic, NBC, RPM TV Productions, Inc.

DIRECTING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL
Walter Hill, "Broken Trail: Part 1 & Part 2, AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run FilmsYves Simoneau, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee, HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
Susanna White, "Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre), PBS, A BBC/WGBH Boston Co-Production
Philip Martin, "Prime Suspect: The Final Act (Masterpiece Theatre), PBS, ITV Productions and WGBH Boston co-production
Bharat Nalluri, "Tsunami, The Aftermath: Part 1 & Part 2, HBO, A Kudos Film and Television Production in association with the BBC and HBO Films

DIRECTING FOR NONFICTION PROGRAMMING
Rory Kennedy, "Ghosts Of Abu Ghraib," HBO, Moxie Firecracker Productions in association with HBO Documentary Films and The Fledgling Fund
Kevin Burns, "Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed," The History Channel, Prometheus Entertainment for The History Channel
Lauren Greenfield, "Thin," HBO, HBO Documentary Films in association with Actual Reality
Christopher Wilcha, "This American Life: God’s Close-Up," Showtime, Showtime Presents in association with Chicago Public Radio, Killer Films, Inc., Left/Right, Inc.
Spike Lee, "When The Levees Broke: A Requiem In Four Acts," HBO, 40 Acres and A Mule Filmworks in association with HBO Documentary Films

VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES
"The Colbert Report," Comedy Central, Central Productions with Busboy Productions and Sparina Production
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,”Comedy Central, Central Productions LLC and Hello Doggie, Inc.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC, Conaco, Broadway Video, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS, Worldwide Pants, Inc.
"Real Time With Bill Maher," HBO, Kid Love Productions and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SPECIAL
"The Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner," Comedy Central, Tenth Planet in association with Comedy Central
"The Kennedy Center Honors: A National Celebration Of The Performing Arts," CBS, A George Stevens, Jr. Presentation for Kennedy Center Television Productions
"Lewis Black: Red, White & Screwed," HBO, Rickmill Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
"Tony Bennett: An American Classic," NBC, RPM TV Productions, Inc.
"A Tribute To James Taylor (Great Performances)," PBS, A Production of Warner Music Group in association with Thirteen/WNET New York
"Wanda Sykes: Sick And Tired," HBO, A Sykes Entertainment / Music Link Productions and Images Entertainment in association with HBO Entertainment

SPECIAL CLASS PROGRAM
"79th Annual Academy Awards," ABC, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
"The 64th Golden Globe Awards," NBC, Dick Clark Productions, Inc.
"Jerry Seinfeld - The Comedy Award," HBO, The Comedy Festival
"Prince Super Bowl XLI Halftime Show," CBS, Don Mischer Productions in association with NFL Network and White Cherry Entertainment
"The 60th Annual Tony Awards (2006)," CBS, White Cherry Entertainment in association with Tony Awards Productions

WRITING FOR A COMEDY
"Extras: Daniel Radcliffe," Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment,
"The Office: Gay Witch Hunt," Greg Daniels, NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio,
"The Office: The Negotiation," Michael Schur NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"30 Rock: Tracy Does Conan," Tina Fey NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio.
"30 Rock: Jack-Tor," Robert Carlock NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio

WRITING FOR A DRAMA
"Battlestar Galactica: Occupation/Precipice," Ronald D. Moore Sci Fi Channel • R+D TV in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"Lost: Through The Looking Glass," Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse ABC, ABC Studios
"The Sopranos: Kennedy And Heidi," Matthew Weiner, David Chase HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
"The Sopranos: The Second Coming," Terence Winter HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
"The Sopranos: Made In America," David Chase HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

WRITING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY PROGRAM
"The Colbert Report," Stephen Colbert, Allison Silverman, Richard Dahm, Michael Brumm, Rob Dubbin, Eric Drysdale, Peter Gwinn, Jay Katsir, Laura Krafft, Frank Lesser, Comedy Central, Central Productions with Busboy Productions and Sparina Productions
"The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," Rachel Axler, Kevin Bleyer, Rich Blomquist, Steve Bodow, Tim Carvell, J.R. Havlan, Scott Jacobson, David Javerbaum, Ben Karlin, Rob Kutner, Josh Lieb, Sam Means, Jason Reich, Jason Ross, Jon Stewart Comedy Central, Central Productions LLC and Hello Doggie, Inc.
"Late Night With Conan O’Brien," Mike Sweeney, Head Writer; Chris Albers, Jose Arroyo, Dan Cronin, Kevin Dorff, Daniel J. Goor, Michael Gordon, Berkley Johnson, Brian Kiley, Michael Koman, Tim Harrod, Brian McCann, Guy Nicolucci, Conan O’Brien, Andrew Weinberg, writers NBC, Conaco, Broadway Video, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"Late Show With David Letterman," Eric Stangel, Justin Stangel, head writers; Michael Barrie, Jim Mulholland, Steve Young, Lee Ellenberg, Matt Roberts, Jeremy Weiner, Joe Grossman, Meredith Scardino, Bill Scheft, Aaron Blitzstein, Bob Borden, Frank Sebastiano, David Letterman, writers CBS, Worldwide Pants, Inc.
"Real Time With Bill Maher," Billy Martin, Head Writer; David Feldman, Matt Gunn, Brian Jacobsmeyer, Jay Jaroch, Chris Kelly, Bill Maher, Jonathan Schmock, Danny Vermont, Scott Carter, writers HBO, Kid Love Productions and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

George Carlin Class Clown-Class Act.

When I was talking to Dave White on his radio show, Talking Television With Dave White, we discussed how I have written a large amount of obituaries lately. Sadly, once again I'm honoring a true pioneer who has left us way too soon and at a time when we still need him.
Donna and I were visiting my brother and my two nephews in Chicago. I wanted to get a picture or the Bob Newhart statue at Navy Pier (See Hi Bob). Over lunch at Bubba Gump's the older generation had to explain to the younger who Bob Newhart is. We stayed on the subject of comedy and comedians. The younger of the nephews (Alex age 16) is a big fan of political satire. We discussed his favorite comedians Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and Lewis Black. I was telling him about the comedians who inspired his favorites. Obviously the conversation could not go too far without mentioning George Carlin.

I told him that George Carlin is one of the greatest comedians in American history. I told him about George Carlin's comedy routine on the "Seven Dirty Words You Can Never Say on Television".

This routine appeared on his Class Clown album. George Carlin was arrested on July 21, 1972 at Milwaukee's Summerfest and charged with violating obscenity laws after performing this routine. The case was dismissed in December of that year; the judge declared that the language was indecent, but Carlin had the freedom to say it as long as he caused no disturbance. I told my nephew that the classic routine is an excellent example of the power of comedy. Radio station WBAI (a Pacifica Radio Station in New York City) played similar routine, "Filthy Words," from George Carlin's Occupation: Foole album over the air. The broadcast was then brought to the attention of the FCC. Pacifica received a citation from the FCC, which sought to fine Pacifica for allegedly violating FCC regulations which prohibited broadcasting "obscene" material. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the FCC action, by a vote of 5 to 4, ruling that the routine was "indecent but not obscene," and the FCC had authority to prohibit such broadcasts during hours when children were likely to be among the audience. FCC v. Pacifica Foundation , 438 U.S. 726 (1978).

The following morning I was shocked to learn that George Carlin had died. Before leaving Chicago I stopped by a Borders and bought the younger Figueroa a CD of George Carlin's Class Clown and Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics. Since then we have had a couple of conversations on George Carlin and he even bought a third CD. We talked about Carlin's influence on his favorite comedians, his love of words, his way of pointing out politicians and the news media manipulates the language to change their impact. I was so touched that my young nephew is now enjoying one of my favorite comedians.

Mr. Carlin’s body of work will still be relevant to a new generation. A true testament to his talents. Whenever we loose someone of prominence there are those who will ask, "Why?" I think it is because the time has come for us to activate our own Inner-Carlin. We examine our vocabulary, analyze what we hear from our leaders, point out the absurdities in life and not settle for being main stream.

To quote George Carlin, "I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately".

Good Night Mr. Carlin and good luck.

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa