I doubt sincerely that our children will be safer with numerous TV stations replacing ABC’s airing of Saving Private Ryan with less "offensive" programming. But that’s what plenty of TV stations fear the litigious FCC will think – and with good reason.
Despite the fact that ABC aired this movie once before in its entirety times are different now. Skins are thinner. And parents are presumed to be less capable than ever of controlling what is seen in their households or differentiating between indecency and a realistic depiction of war which pays appropriate tribute to America’s heroes on Veteran’s Day.
In one market at least, the F-word means swapping Saving Private Ryan with Return to Mayberry.
The real world swapped for a return to a world that never was.
Sounds just about right.