Click here for Adobe Acrobat version
 Click here for Microsoft Word version
 FCC NEWS

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
445 12th STREET S.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554

News media information 202/418-0500
TTY 202/418-2555
Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830
Internet http://www.fcc.gov
ftp://ftp.fcc.gov
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission Action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 516 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 August 9, 2004
 NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
 Janice Wise at (202) 418-7450
Janice.Wise@FCC.GOV



FCC DENIES COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST NOVEMBER 20, 2001, EPISODE OF “BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER”

Washington, D.C.: Today, the Federal Communications Commission issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order denying a complaint by Parents Television Council alleging that various television station licensees airing UPN programming, including the licensee of Station WDCA(TV), Washington, DC, aired indecent material during the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” program on November 20, 2001. The complainants alleged that the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” episode at issue included a scene in which the characters Buffy and Spike engage in sexual intercourse.

The Commission concluded that the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” program at issue, as described by the complainants, was not sufficiently explicit or graphic to be indecent. The Commission noted that there was no nudity, and there was no evidence that the activity depicted was dwelled upon, or was used to pander, titillate or shock the audience.

By the Commission: Chairman Powell, Commissioners Abernathy, Copps, Martin and Adelstein, FCC 04-196, August 9, 2004.

Enforcement Bureau Contacts: Janice Wise or Elizabeth Valinoti (202) 418-7450