H'w'd to Lieberman: Chill out
Then Hollywood got mad.
"There will be a fight. We're tired of this crap. This is about censorship," one studio exec says. "If he's not going to recognize (the steps we're taking) already, then forget it."
The ace hiding in Hollywood's pocket? Paradoxically, it could just be the new Republican administration.
Industry toppers are cautiously optimistic that President George W. Bush isn't about to back Lieberman -- considering the former 2000 vice presidential candidate is being mentioned as a possible 2004 presidential contender.
"This issue is not on the Bush administration's radar," says one well-connected politico.
Bush even used Hollywood's fruits to lure the Kennedy clan to the White House on Feb. 1 for his first presidential screening. Bush showed "Thirteen Days," a pic about President John F. Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis.
Motion Picture Assn. of America prexy Jack Valenti says he respects Lieberman, but that today's headline is making sure copyright laws are extended to the digital and Internet age. Otherwise, the biz is ready to move on. "All the proclamations of Joe Lieberman about violent content are not central to our future. I may disagree with him, but I have no problem with him," Valenti says.
Lieberman has nevertheless gotten oodles of media attention since returning to the Senate earlier this month.
Topping his agenda is proposed legislation that would give the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to go after the movie, music and vidgame industries for deceptive advertising.
Studios say they've taken substantial steps to ensure that violent, R-rated movies are no longer target-marketed to kids, a practice pointed out in a critical FTC report released last September.
Under Valenti's watch, the majors have adopted a number of marketing reforms impacting trailer placements, advertising and test screenings.
Not good enough, Lieberman says. And unless entertainment toppers include enforcement mechanisms, he'll go ahead and introduce the FTC legislation.
"This half-hearted response is unacceptable. It shows real disregard for the growing burdens of raising children in in a multi-channel universe," Lieberman intones. Capitol Hill colleagues say while they admire Lieberman for fighting the good fight, they believe he is misguided in talking about new laws.
Rather, Lieberman should follow the example of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who knows that the congressional bully pulpit and continued FTC monitoring are the only way to go without the risk of running afoul of the First Amendment.
"We can say all this is about marketing, but everyone really knows it's about changing content," one congressional staffer says. "It's one thing to take somebody to the woodshed; it's another to censor."
