Naked Truth: Plug Pulled On Cable Show
PORTLAND - A community cable-television station has suspended a show that featured film clips of nude beaches after a group of men flashed their backsides to the camera and a woman bared her chest on a live broadcast.
"Nudity is not dirty, and people are too serious," said Jim Spagg, the host of "Portland Call-In" on Channel 21.
Spagg defended the show, which featured him wearing garish clothes, a wig and strumming a cardboard guitar. A few film clips of nude beaches were shown but Spagg spent most of the hour-long program singing ditties, making off-color remarks and taking calls.
Multnomah Community Television officials said they suspended the program because minors may have been on the set of the last show when the brief nudity was broadcast live.
State law restricts people younger than 18 from witnessing certain displays of nudity without a parent or guardian present. The station is investigating.
Spagg claims the action violates the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech.
"They can't criticize my show, so they're using other angles to sink it," said Spagg.
Alex Quinn, the station's general manager, denied Spagg's allegations.
"This is not a program content issue; it has nothing to do with program content," said Quinn. "It has to do with other issues we have questions about, and that's what we're investigating."
Spagg began as host of "Portland Call-In" at 10 p.m. Fridays in October. The show has aired four times.
After receiving some complaints, the station's board considered changing the viewing time to after midnight to discourage children from tuning in, Quinn said.
But Spagg said the move would have ruined the live show because shows after midnight must be taped.
The board weighed community concerns with free-speech rights and backed off, Quinn said.
Spagg said he did not believe there was anyone under 18 at the show but he admitted he does not check his audience for identification.
"I didn't think I was selling liquor or that it's that crucial," he said.