Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.latimes.misc From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Hit 'Slap' With Delete Key Date: Sun, 8 Nov 92 10:01:22 EST Message-ID: HEADLINE: Hit 'Slap' With Delete Key Publication Date: Saturday November 7, 1992 BYLINE: Why don't we put to rest a misused word common in film journalism? "Madonna's Movie Will Be Edited for 'R' " (Oct. 30) refers to the forthcoming Madonna-Willem Dafoe film "Body of Evidence" as having originally been "slapped" with the NC-17 rating. Later, the article said it was "hit" by the troublesome rating. I have a problem with the word slap , as it implies punishment, rebuff or insult. It was my impression that the NC-17 rating was designed to avoid and eliminate the stigma that went with being "slapped" with the X rating. The film's producer, Steven Deutsch, has rightly become aware "that in the audience's mind, there is still no difference between the NC-17 and the old X." One wonders if the same could be said for The Times and its film writers and editors. A firm slap to you for perpetuating this misconception. By the way, nobody raised an eyebrow when "Beauty and the Beast" was slapped with a G rating. Go figure. LES SCHWARTZ Silver Lake This article is copyright 1992 The Los Angeles Times Home Edition. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM