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ABC apologizes for intro to 'Monday Night Football'
By Rudy Martzke, USA TODAY
ABC Sports apologized Tuesday for an "inappropriate" opening of the Philadelphia Eagles-Dallas Cowboys Monday Night Football telecast involving a sexually suggestive locker room meeting between Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens and ABC's Desperate Housewives' star Nicollette Sheridan.
Monday Night Football's racy opening segment with the Eagles' Terrell Owens and actress Nicollette Sheridan.
ABC TV
The bit involved Nicollette Sheridan, a star of ABC hit Desperate Housewives, and Eagles standout Terrell Owens. (Related story: Martzke: ABC's skit over the top)
Sheridan, playing her character from the show, wore only a towel as she tried to seduce Owens in the team locker room. Initially unable to entice him to skip the game for her, she dropped her towel. Owens then said, "Aw, hell, the team's going to have to win without me," and she jumped into his arms.
"We have heard from many of our viewers about last night's MNF opening segment, and we agree that the placement was inappropriate," ABC Sports Vice President Mark Mandel said in a statement. "We apologize."
ABC chose the opening despite a crackdown on suggestive TV acts by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue after the Federal Communications Commission fined CBS-owned and -operated stations $550,000 after the baring of Janet Jackson's breast during the Super Bowl halftime show in February.
The FCC got complaints from viewers about Monday's piece and is reviewing the matter, said an FCC spokeswoman who declined to be identified.
NFL Vice President Greg Aiello said in a statement: "ABC's opening was inappropriate and unsuitable for our Monday Night Football audience. While ABC may have gained attention for one of its other shows, the NFL and its fans lost."
The piece was taped last week in the Eagles locker room, according to Mandel. The club said in a statement, "We appreciate that ABC has taken responsibility and has apologized. ... It is normal for teams to cooperate with ABC in the development of an opening for its broadcast. After seeing the final piece, we wish it hadn't aired."
Desperate Housewives, ranked No. 2 among prime-time shows, is the hottest new program this year. MNF ranks 10th among prime-time shows.
If an "apparent violation" of the rules is determined, the FCC would issue a "letter of inquiry" to ABC asking for more information about the incident. If a violation is ultimately determined, penalties that could include fines could ensue.
By Rudy Martzke, USA TODAY
ABC Sports apologized Tuesday for an "inappropriate" opening of the Philadelphia Eagles-Dallas Cowboys Monday Night Football telecast involving a sexually suggestive locker room meeting between Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens and ABC's Desperate Housewives' star Nicollette Sheridan.
Monday Night Football's racy opening segment with the Eagles' Terrell Owens and actress Nicollette Sheridan.
ABC TV
The bit involved Nicollette Sheridan, a star of ABC hit Desperate Housewives, and Eagles standout Terrell Owens. (Related story: Martzke: ABC's skit over the top)
Sheridan, playing her character from the show, wore only a towel as she tried to seduce Owens in the team locker room. Initially unable to entice him to skip the game for her, she dropped her towel. Owens then said, "Aw, hell, the team's going to have to win without me," and she jumped into his arms.
"We have heard from many of our viewers about last night's MNF opening segment, and we agree that the placement was inappropriate," ABC Sports Vice President Mark Mandel said in a statement. "We apologize."
ABC chose the opening despite a crackdown on suggestive TV acts by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue after the Federal Communications Commission fined CBS-owned and -operated stations $550,000 after the baring of Janet Jackson's breast during the Super Bowl halftime show in February.
The FCC got complaints from viewers about Monday's piece and is reviewing the matter, said an FCC spokeswoman who declined to be identified.
NFL Vice President Greg Aiello said in a statement: "ABC's opening was inappropriate and unsuitable for our Monday Night Football audience. While ABC may have gained attention for one of its other shows, the NFL and its fans lost."
The piece was taped last week in the Eagles locker room, according to Mandel. The club said in a statement, "We appreciate that ABC has taken responsibility and has apologized. ... It is normal for teams to cooperate with ABC in the development of an opening for its broadcast. After seeing the final piece, we wish it hadn't aired."
Desperate Housewives, ranked No. 2 among prime-time shows, is the hottest new program this year. MNF ranks 10th among prime-time shows.
If an "apparent violation" of the rules is determined, the FCC would issue a "letter of inquiry" to ABC asking for more information about the incident. If a violation is ultimately determined, penalties that could include fines could ensue.
