NYPD Too Blue For FCC

January 27, 2008 -- Five years after ABC showed the rear end of actress Charlotte Ross on "NYPD Blue," government TV censors finally got their own butts in gear by imposing $1.4 million in fines on the stations that aired the controversial episode of the popular show.

Fifty-one TV stations - mostly in small markets in the South, Midwest and West - face possible penalties of $27,500 apiece under the order issued Friday by the Federal Communications Commission.

The FCC didn't fine stations on the East and West coasts, where NYPD Blue aired at 10 p.m. All the stations fined, mostly in the Central and Mountain time zones, aired the show earlier in the evening.

The network will appeal. "ABC feels strongly that the FCC's finding is inconsistent with prior precedent from the commission, the indecency statute, and the First Amendment," a network spokeswoman said.

The ruling describes Ross' semi-nude scene in lascivious detail.

Her character, Detective Connie McDowell, "removes her robe, thereby revealing the side of one of her breasts and a full view of her back," the ruling said.

"The camera shot includes a full view of her buttocks and her upper legs as she leans across the sink to hang up her robe."

The FCC found the scene indecent "because it depicts sexual organs and excretory organs - specifically an adult woman's buttocks." And repeatedly showing Ross' butt was "titillating and shocking."

As a longtime fan of NYPD Blue I was absolutely agape when that episode aired, and just now refamiliarized myself by playing the tape. I had to stop after but 6 or 7 viewings as the sight of Miss Ross was simply too much to handle. It is a good thing that the FCC punished these stations, as we simply cannot have people thusly excited. See y'all later as I go back to look again just to be sure...

Just as I suspected. I've included some pics of Miss Ross, including one she did for PETA, for you to make up your own mind.