Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Arlington officials object to lewd cable show Date: Sun, 15 Nov 92 16:56:27 EST Message-ID: \SE A;METROPOLITAN \HD Arlington officials object to lewd cable show \BY Laurie Kellman \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES Arlington officials yesterday objected to a television program broadcast by a public access cable channel - during prime time Friday night - that featured a lingerie-clad performer sitting on a sexual toy and singing about masturbation. "Midnight Madness," which aired on Channel 33 at 9 p.m., prompted county residents to complain about the profanity and sexually explicit lyrics sung by the program's hostess, "Esmirelda." The Arlington County Board decided yesterday to send a letter objecting to the show's content, though the county has no control over what the privately financed station broadcasts, county spokeswoman Sally Michael said. Arlington resident John Marshall said yesterday that he wanted to relax Friday night when he picked up his remote control and began changing channels. But when he turned to Arlington Community Television, he sat up in his chair, he said. Instead of the usual discussions of ballroom dancing or the county budget, there sat Esmirelda. "Hot passion was mounting, but then so was I," she sang. "The truth of the matter is: that shoe did me right!" Two men danced nearby in red bikini underwear, twirling sex toys. They occasionally mooned the camera. Later, Esmirelda erupted in profanities during a song about a woman who had apparently gotten on her nerves. "You lying [expletive], two-faced [expletive], get off my back," she sang. Mr. Marshall said sat in shock for a few seconds, then hit the "record" button on his tape machine. "I couldn't believe it," said the 41-year-old management consultant. "It was graphic, it was gross, it was vile." When Mr. Marshall described the show at yesterday's Arlington County Board meeting, he got mixed reactions from lawmakers. "My husband watched part of that, but not the whole thing," said one board member, Mary Margaret Whipple. Board Chairwoman Ellen Bozeman drowned out an undercurrent of snickering when she suggested that board members write a letter of objection to Channel 33. But other members warned that the county should handle the matter carefully, to avoid an argument over free speech issues. "This could turn into a national brouhaha if we're not careful," cautioned James B. Hunter III, a board member who said he had received several complaints from residents. "The problem here is how you define certain standards as you get to extremes," said board member Albert Eisenberg. "What we need to determine is whether federal standards have been followed or not. . . . But this was not something I want my children watching." Mr. Marshall, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for the House of Delegates last year, said he was disappointed with the board's response. "This isn't even a close call," he said. "It's clearly out of bounds." "Midnight Madness" ended with a plug for next week's show, which will feature a heavy-metal band called Cycle Sluts From Hell. The screen then cut to Arlington Community Television's motto: "A reflection of the Arlington Community." Federal law says cable companies are responsible for their programs' content, according to Robert Farr, executive producer of Arlington Cable 31, which broadcasts County Board meetings. Arlington County does not subsidize Channel 33, which is distributed by Cable TV Arlington, Mr. Farr said. No one from Channel 33, "Midnight Madness" or Cable TV Arlington was available for comment yesterday. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM