Bully to the Florida station that declined to show the Osbournes – it is enough that the reality show that they starred in showed the son killing the pet dog, just off camera (but clearly the killing was done, and yet there were no consequences, no charges, no denuciation, no apology) – these people people are truly sick, and aren’t juct acting like that just ‘for show’: they don’t belong on broadcast TV.

I disagree w/ Joe’s comment, ergo he has no right to say it.

Hey WPGX

Just in case you forgot, this is AMERICA, meaning you are going against the First Amendment to the
Constitution; another thing, as far as I’m concerned is: This is just entertainment and is not intended to be taken seriously; it’s just an act, relax. If parents don’t want their children to watch it, then it gets turned off, it’s that simple. You are only making fools of yourselves and going against the First Amendment

It may not be right, but its their equipment, their network, and their station. So basically its their choice, and any judge in America will side with them because its their property and they can do with it what they want. Thats like somebody telling you what color you can paint your house because they live across the street. Don’t like it? Get Satelite.

Who made you king of America. Did the United States become a monarchy? Censorship in any form is wrong. If some objects to something, there are many other forms of entertainment to chose. Read a book, sounds like the bible is the only book for you, internet, movie, or simply turn the channel. I enjoy off beat humor and I shouldn’t be denied my rights because you object. The Osbornes are outrages and if I my only regret is the show isn’t on HBO. I hope Fox doesn’t ruin the show, with poor editing. The reason broadcast TV veiwership is down, is because they try to market everything to a 8 year old child. Adults that can’t afford cable need to be entertained too. Thank you Fox for some adult programing. Parents should decide what their children should watch, surely not the state or right wing TV station managers. Middle America adults need programming too.

Sorry folks, but the first amendment talks about the GOVERNMENT restricting freedom of expression. A private company, like a television station, can decide what it wants to show. Of course, the public can also protest their choices…. (or just download the episode from a bit torrent file)

That episode was a joke. The whole thing was staged, including a “director” yelling “Cut!” at the end. No dogs were killed.

you must not have watched the end of the show because if you had you would have seen the dog alive and well.they showed you at the end it was all scripted and wanted you to guess if the whole show or just the last episode was scripted

Joeovercoat- you are just jealous that you dont have your own show on FOX. Your and idiot and you should keep your comments to yourself you Negative Nancy. I want to be entertained during this economic slump.

Well of course they have the right not to show the program if they choose! IT’S THEIR TV STATION, THEIR EQUIPMENT, THEIR SIGNAL!!! They can opt out if they want to. Good for the station managers to have the fortitude for doing what TV managers should have been doing a long time ago… turning down the junk.

The station has the right to not show what they don’t want to, as per the Fox network guidelines. If you don’t like their practices then write the Fox executives a letter. Blah.

Good for you, WGPX!

the right to free speech does not include the right to make someone else repeat it — how is forcing an entity to say something it obviously doesn’t want to say not a violation of free speech in its own way?

I live in NW Fl close to Panama City to the west. it is actually a very conservative place with alot of bible thumpers… I personally love Ozzy but he is a walking billboard for “just say no” if I ever saw one. I think a station can refuse to air some programming as long as they are not tied to it from the network. This isn’t the first time a station has refused to air a show and I am sure it won’t be the last.. But hey.. since they bring up NW Fl and put it on a national stage come on down and enjoy the beautiful beaches. Sugar white sand and tourquiose water.

“(or just download the episode from a bit torrent file)”

You can’t download from a file….

Because the Simpsons is just chock-full of family values and pure virtue, right? Idiots!

The clips from the Osbournes show that I’ve seen during American Idol were revolting. I agree with the station manager, that kind of trash belongs on cable after 11 PM. I am glad someone – especially a Fox station – stood up and refused to broadcast that cr@p. Just as viewers have the right to turn off their TV, the station has the right to refuse to air the show. Congratulations, somebody finally gets it that we don’t have to scrape the bottom of the barrel just because we can.

Misplaced liberal support for “free speech” has led the US down the slippery path of immorality and decay. Time to wake up. The constitution was enacted to protect the people, not the demons who would enjoy destroying them. Broadcast companies SHOULD act to protect the public from immoral and depraved shows. Broadcast media has a powerful impact on the youth. It is time they acted responsibly.

BTW, Jack did not kill the dog..it was all a joke.

If you really think the dog was killed then you’re a major loser. Just goes to show that people beleive anything they see.

Ozzy is a legend and they should kiss the ground that he walks on. This is like banning the Beatles in England. Ozzy is our Americas Paul. For someone to do this is un constitutional.

Yeah, I like the righteous “no denuciation…” – is that even a word? Obviously he didn’t watch the dog episode PERSONALLY or he wouldn’t have made such a stupid comment. So he’s based something he’s never seen, on something else he’s never seen. Brilliant. No wonder America’s on top with the rest of the world.

Yeah, the affiliate can do what it wants, but they have the little thing called a CONTRACT with Fox, which they’re now about to breach. Hope it’s worth it to them.

To: NOT a first amendent issue

I am going off the cuff. While the station is indeed a private company, the government lease of the airwaves to private industry may be enough ’state action’ to at least give some legs to the suit.

I personally applaud the TV station .. but just saying that there may be sufficient government action here for some judicial review.

I belive if its not for you, turn it off. Let the viewer decide. I grew up listening to Ozzy and I turned out fine. No big deal, it will be available on the FOX website i am sure. At least the rest of the nation will enjoy there Monday night. BTW is Simpsons much better?! I would rather let my kid watch Family Guy over Simpsons.

First Amendment rights mean that the guy who owns the business has the right to decide what to promote through his business. If you want Ozzy, start your own station.

We need more station managers like this one. It’s his station, he can do what he likes. If more station managers would refuse crap like this, maybe the quality of television would actually go up…

In the words of The Osbournes, turn the f#%king show off if you don’t like it! These are just some more bored power hungry people who think they are better then people who would watch it. They are probably on the conservative side. Some, not all, of them are afraid of some little naughty language, yet many probably have their own prejudices against certain groups of people, but THAT is okay and morally right to them.

As an attorney, I can tell you that this is in fact, not a first admentment right. The first admendment refers to “free speech” as prohibited by the government, not censorship of a television network. The network can pick and choose what to air, they are the owners. The owner of any establishment has the right to decide what they offer the public.
I am at a loss as to why so many of you are offering up such negative comments to each other. Remember this is America, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I am reminded of the old saying that opinions are like A holes…everyone has one!

who cares about these freaky family. Ozzy is exploiting his family to a freak show for more money. I wonder what did he do with all the money he made these years that he has to make clown of his family….yack

This isn’t a free speech issue. This is a contract issue between Fox and the local affiliate.

Some of you should actually, you know, read the constitution.

Attention Apotheosis>>

Ozzy is a Brit, so he can’t be “America’s Paul”.

I always find it funny that some people have such a problem with sex and cussing on tv, but they will watch shows about murder.

Do you think anything shown on the Osbournes is worse that what children can find on the Internet? With one google search, kids can watch a donkey gang bang. I find it hard to beleive that anything shown on Fox at 9:30pm could be worse than donkey porn!

This fight will be lost. Here’s why: The Fox affiliate DOES have the right to decide what it wants to air, or what it doesn’t want to air.

This IS NOT a first amendment issue. It is not censorship. It is a question of censorship when the government tries to limit or control free speech. Not when a company decides what to limit on its airways. Media companies whether they are TV, cable, newspaper, or internet do have the legal right to censor themselves.

Its their equipment, their station etc… but they are broadcasting on public frequencies that they license from the US Government.
They can not broadcast anything they want. Example
They can not broadcast full frontal nudity or the 7 dirty words

I don’t think it is as black and white as you are stating it.

by the way, depending on the city and what laws they have on the books, THEY can tell you what colors you can paint your house.

The First Amendment is to protect your right to say what you think about topics. It is not about what you have the right to watch or listen to. If you study the First Amendment you would not think this qualifies. Also if you read the First Amendment it applies to the government not to private enterprises.

First Amendment “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

They say, “unsuitable and contrary to the public interest,”, well, that’s true for almost all US TV and “entertainment”, no?

I think this manager, as are all censors, are obsolete. Let individuals choose which channels/programs they want into their homes.

Heck, I get basics cable because the TV antenna repair was $500. But even with Basic Cable, I still end up programming out half the channels (I find the 700 Club VERY offensive, as all the infomercials on ED, and investment schemes). I pay for things I never see, and the ironic part, my bill increased. They said it’s the cost of programming. Is this the same programming I’m blocking and not viewing? Who knows, they won’t tell you.

I’d find Ozzie less offensive than any informercial on ED, investement/real estate/gold schemes, or religious programming.

Read carefully. Just because the US supreme court is in error about what the first amendment means does not prevent a reasonable person from concluding that court is full of BS. One persons rights ends where another persons NOSE BEGINS. In the end we will choose up sides and fight it out. The sonner the better.

Want to know why the country’s going down the swirler? Misdirected priorities (see above).

The second anyone uses any variation of the word “morality”, they immediately lose the argument.

Religious wackjobs are the last kind of people who should be telling free thinkers what is in their best interest.

WPGX general manager Jeff Cavileer told the News Herald. “ This show in my market does not serve my public in Panama City. ”

My Public? I don’t think so.

I have an idea! How about instead of bullshitting everyone, they just go ahead and say “This show looks so bad that it would be irresponsible of us to show it to you.”

Free speech is cool and all, but the less attention this show is given, the better. It looks worse than Howie Do It.

And no, I don’t hate Ozzy. I’m a fan of some Sabbath and his early solo work. Just think of the final third of The Simpsons’ Spinoff Showcase episode and you’ll understand why this is a terrible idea.

Right, it is not the govenment saying not to air this show. But RIGHT WING NUTTS, yes, NUTTS, want laws passed to only show what they deem appropriate. WPGX has the right to not run the show, but they are letting one idiot decide for an entire community. If the station loses viewers or ratings he will most likely get fired. Viewers should have the right to watch or not to watch, is all that I am saying. Let the show air and if the rating are low, don’t air it. I am sure it will do better then a re-run, Simpsons, which I love. Plus, some Simpsons episodes are just as raunchy.

If the entire community made the decision, I would hope that it would be not to air this piece of trash. Edgy? Absolutely not. Hilarious? Never. Clever? God, no. This show looks like the worst thing since Viva Laughlin, and it’s probably worse than that.

Ah florida a new dead baby every week and yet they care about ozzy’s mumbalin ass keep up the good work

“It is not about what you have the right to watch or listen to.”

Wrong. The First Amendment has been interpreted many times over to mean exactly that. But don’t believe me. Do your own Googling on the subject. It’s true that community decency laws have (unfortunately) been given a lot of weight in first amendment cases.

Nevertheless, your company can fire you for shooting your mouth off in the office and your neighbor can kick you out for being an jerk in his house. This station is free to play nanny for its viewers and its viewers are free to not watch their crummy programming.

Call me when the government actually steps into this.

Come on, you idiots. This is like a retailer making the decision not to sell Jet CDs because they fucking suck.

If you really care about this god damned show (What kind of person ARE you?!), check it out on the net.

I really wanted to see this show. I took off work early to watch it. I sat through the last 10 minutes of AI, heard Seacrest frontsell it, then MY station, in KC, comes on with this Special Sports Show. No explanation as to WHY the Osbournes wasn’t on! I called the TV station here and was just told it would be on at 1am. I had no idea all this controversy was going on. Why couldn’t they just have told us in advance it wasn’t going to be on? So disappointed and I don’t get to watch TV much. But Ozzy was really nice to me years ago at an after concert meet and greet. And so was Sharon. Really nice people. I hope they sue someone over this. It’s not right. As for decency: Alot of shows show far worse than the Osbournes ever did.

What a garbage show. I hate to see Ozzy doing anything like this. He is a rock legend and deserves better than that old bag of a wife dragging his old bones onto another television show. I wouldn’t watch it because I respect Ozzy too much. I’m gladd some stations are banning it. Less people to watch a rock god embarass himself.

Why on Earth does a station advertise nonstop about a show and then leading all the way up to when it’s about to air, all of a sudden they crap their pants about what they’re about to put on TV and feel the need to take it off?

Like to know why? It all boils down to the fact that Ozzy plays metal music and our politicians do not and have not liked heavy metal. Nor do they believe his family has any moral values. Which is wrong because who are we to judge how a family lives their own life? Both Jack and Kelly have gone through rehab, and as Sharon has already stated before, “Jack is a beacon of hope to all struggling addicts.”

Fox plays American Dad, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and South Park, all of which are far more controversial and “edgy” than the Osbourne family could ever dream of producing. South Park for instance has an episode banned by the Vatican.

The First Amendment of our Constitution does not only apply to government regulated operations. If that were true, the KKK would have been stopped decades ago.

If you don’t like the show; don’t watch it. If you don’t want your kids to watch it; change the channel and don’t let them watch it. If parents would actually monitor what their kids watch and listen to, we would stop many of our countries problems. We sell music with a “Parental Advisory” and some parents (not all) actually take the smart road and buy the censored CD for their kid, but then turn around and let them watch a rated “R” film or the “Unrated” version.

Censorship needs to fall in the hands of our parents. Seriously. Stupid things like this need to stop.

Who is WPGX’s (Panama City) General Manager Jeff Cavileer to decided whether one should watch the Osbourne’s Variety show or not? It is my decision as a citizen to decide!!! If I determine it is trash then I will turn it off. I sat and watched American Idol with my children then BLAM, No Osbournes instead, The Simpsons, which I personally would not let MY children watch!!! Has Cavalier seen THAT show? It contains many values that I do not prefer my children to have, BUT I do not ask for it to be taken off the air. I can determine what is good for my OWN household. Why doesn’t Jeff have a problem with some of the other shows your station airs. For example Family Guy, American Dad. All cartoons. All geared to a younger audience. They are all TRASH, but I don’t complain, I CHOOSE. People need to stand up and make decisions for themselves. If I want to watch trash then I will watch trash. If I let my kids’ watch 24, which I wouldn’t, IT IS MY DECISION. NOT YOURS JEFF! By the way if you know anything about being a parent, JEFF, You the parent decides what your kids watch, not them. Finally even though I am complaining I would not have let them watch the Osbourne’s, and I probably wouldn’t have either, but that should have not been your decision.

They did the same thing in Cincinnati last night. Fox19 GM got on, said he didn’t want to have the 100,000 children go from American Idol into Osborne show. Said we could watch on their site today, or hulu.com . Wonder how many other cities did the same?

As far as I know the Constitution and the First Amendment were still in place when I woke up this morning. None of these Yo’s have the power nor the right to infringe on anyones rights. Nor are they in charge of deciding FOR ME. This is when people need to gather in the streets at these stations and collectively let these fools know that they are not in charge of the First Amendment, or our ability to change the channel. Censorship in any form must always be opposed. No Matter what.

Did the son actually kill the pet dog?!! If so i would think animal activests would be involved and ALL over it!!!

@JoeOvercoat….you’re an idiot. Plain and simple. I wish I had the conviction to argue as ignorantly as you do, but I don’t. You’re just a tool, that jumped on a bandwagon, and now that the air up there on your horse is so thin…..it’s affecting the ability of your brain. If you don’t have any concrete evidence of what happened, then do us a favor and shut the hell up. All of your speculation and mongering has done nothing….except make you and the others on their soapboxes sound like a group of doucebags.

For those of you applauding the station manager for not airing The Osbournes Reloaded, I have a question: Where does it end? Where is the line between what a single person can and can’t decide what is appropriate to air?

For example could a station decide not to air American Idol because its going to feature songs by a Gay/Lesbian artist?

Could a station refuse to air an episode of a regular network series because this episode is deemed as negatively critical of our government?

How are a broadcast station’s leases of the public airways, and their responsibility to serve the community under those leases, balanced with the stations rights to manage their own business.

I don’t know. But my belief is its best to err on the side of Freedom of Speech. Censorship of any kind is a slippery slope.

Remember its much harder to regain our rights once we’ve chosen to give them up.

“For those of you applauding the station manager for not airing The Osbournes Reloaded, I have a question: Where does it end? Where is the line between what a single person can and can’t decide what is appropriate to air?”

I hope that television morphs into a place where we can see deaths, “fuck”s, and fucks.
But come on. I’m for not airing this thing because of its quality. If shows like The Osbournes Reloaded, Howie Do It, and other shows that no one in their right minds should find funny could be banished from TV and replaced by shows that actually make you laugh like 30 Rock or The Office, that would be just amazing.

,,,,they can do what they want with their damned station,,,,,those of us that don’t agree can turn the channel, or call them up and complain. Fox sucks big time. Any station that will show The Simpsons, and then delete some other show because of some “questionable” material clearly has its head up its judgemental ass. Screw Fox.

There are lots of ways that someone can watch a TV show if the local affiliate is choosing not to broadcast it. If the show is really important to you, you’ll be able to find a way to watch it. Whining accomplishes nothing, and I think the owners of a station have a right to broadcast what they want. After all, it’s their station. If they do it often enough, they will soon be out of business or simply catering to little old church ladies and losing tons of money in the process. If you don’t like the station’s decision, then stop watching it.

I had fially forgiven Ozzy for the MTV show..this is embarrasing. If he needs the money, go do Vegas like David Lee Roth did or a few more Pepsi commercials

Ozzy-Why the hell are you doing this garbage when you could be recording with the original Black Sabbath? To say that this isn’t the best use of your time would be the understatement of the millenium!

The ignorance of the First Amendment is mind-boggling.

Illegal censorship is when someone *ELSE* prevents YOU from using YOUR OWN MEGAPHONE to make noise.

This is a case where the OWNER of the megaphone turned it off. Would-be listeners to the megaphone have no “1st amendment” case.

What next? We’re going to force people to play musical instruments when they don’t want to, because otherwise someone might not get to hear a song they think they’re entitled to hear? This is where the demented, non-constitutional reasoning of many posts submitted below is leading
(and which, by the way, is scarily like the anti-rational and self-satisfied sophistry that was used to justify torturing prisoners in Gitmo).

Those attacking the Fox affiliates are the real danger here. Agents of pseudo-constitutional stupidity.

The First Amendment protects citizens against censorship from THE GOVERNMENT. Are those of you all up in arms about this outraged by the GOVERNMENT’s recent attempt to shut down Rush Limbaugh? Too many have the “I’ll fight for your right to say it unless I disagree attitude”.

It was not shown in the Tri-state area here either. Although it was advertised. And how convenient that the person who made the decision soon took vacation and is not reachable. Hmm,I may never watch another show on Fox again. (including American Idol) There are many better things to do than watch your network. How would they like that? Many out there agree with me. If there is something on that I don’t want to watch then I won’t, it is my decision, my RIGHT! Regardless if you like the show or not!

I don´t understand why rock legends need this kind of TV appearances. Ozzy Osbourne must get very much money for this show and controversial things always get the best media attention. It´s even worse that Ozzy involves his wife and children into his shows. In my opinion rock stars should try to protect their families from the mass media. At least some moments of MTV´s “The Osbournes” were funny, but with this show the guy will become truly ridiculous and this is sad. Who needs such a crap? I don´t get it…

I wont be watching this show because it seems too corny to be ozzy… but GOD my state sucks at everything.

Ozzy didn’t put his wife and kids in the show. Sharon did. Ozzy doesn’t have the brains to start a show on his own. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a life long Black Sabbath fan and Ozzy solo, but this guy is totally burned out. If there is blame to toss around, toss it Sharons way.

The entire thing makes no sense to me. Channel 19 will play Family Guy, Hell’s Kitchen, and American Dad, all of hom have “adult themed shows. Yet this show has been deemed inappropriate. Let the government decided what can be on tv or not…boycotting 19 and spreading the word…I just dont get where this is all coming from. Wherre are we really going as a country

Again…neither the federal or state governments banned the show nor did FOX (FOX produces the show, duh). Why blame Florida or FOX? Read the article again – it’s the manager of that particular affiliate. If you want to boycott that channel in protest – that’s a perfectly appropriate tactic. However, you should listen to the Ozzy fans – Ozzy, WHY?

No one cares about the Osbournes anymore. Ozzy has become a puppet & a joke, he wife is awful & his kids are talentless.

you guys are acting like a bunch of fucking kids ozzy osbourne is beast so go fuck off thanks…

Ozzy fuckin rules!!

As someone mentioned: This is yet another case of our culture being manipulated to cater to sheltered, naive and ignorant adults. I’m not defending this show because it truly sucked. I don’t even care that it wasn’t shown in certain areas. But, this is yet another indication that the moral police think that a crappy piece of entertainment will be the downfall of their community. Various versions of this moral police force have been witch hunting Ozzy since the late 70’s/early 80’s. Then, there was another Moral Police Officer…Tipper Gore. She thought Prince lyrics could potentially threaten the innocence of her child. These adults need to grow up and have a little more “faith” in other adults and how they raise their children. This is basically why American culture (TV mostly) is insulting to a good portion of viewers. It’s geared toward these adult babies in such a way as to not offend them. Meanwhile, everyone else that is even halfway intelligent or has maybe lived life outside of the town they were born in has to sit through programming that really appeals to “adults” with a middle school perspective on the world.