Wednesday, October 8, 2008

No Age vs CBS


Hello All,

I have recently come under what can only be called extreme censorship. On Oct 2nd No Age was scheduled to perform on the Late Late show with Craig Ferguson, to be broadcasted on CBS later this month. I felt it was important to voice my choice for presidential candidate, Barack Obama, seeing as the episode would air 8 days before election day. We rehearsed on the stage and were waiting to film our performance when I was told that I would not be able to wear my Barack Obama t shirt. I was shocked, it seemed like some kind of joke, especially coming from a show like the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, produced by David Letterman's production company World Wide Pants. The representatives of CBS said that by wearing an Obama T-shirt I would be violating the FCC rule of equal time for all candidates
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-time_rule
however there there is a doctrine of fairness that former President Ronald Reagan and current president George W Bush supported the repeal of in order to allow themselves more time in the media.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairness_Doctrine
Regardless, the Equal time rule clearly favors candidates with more financial support. Ralph Nader and Ron Paul are not seen nearly as much as Obama and McCain.

I had to look at what I was up against and with 5 minutes before we were supposed to shoot I had only a hand full of options. I could either A) walk away from the show and decline from appearing on the show, or B) change my T-shirt. My first choice was A. However, after talking way past the 5 minute mark, Dean and I decided that it would be better to take advantage of the stage we had at our disposal. I decided to make an appeal for "Free Health Care" on my T-shirt seeing as I was unable to voice my support for Barack Obama. Access to affordable health care is an issue very near to my heart for many personal reasons and I am sure that many of you can relate. I have lost and stood by as many of my close family members have battled with terrible illnesses. I have myself gone through traumatic hospitalizations only to come out the other side alive but horribly in debt.

I encourage all of you to speak out about your political views and your feelings about the many issues that are up for discussion at this crucial time in American history. CBS and major media outlets DO NOT speak for me. I do not look to corporate media to inform my views on the issues. Together through our communities we can make a difference and make it a point to express our views in order to shape our world into a better place.

Thank you,
Randy Randall
http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/arthur/384/who-cares-what-musicians-
http://stereogum.com/archives/no-age-almost-go-shirtless-for-obama_026401.html

16 comments:

Rich James said...

very interesting read.

Anna said...

Whoa. Dude. That's pretty dumb. Though you guys have dealt with it perfectly in my opinion. Thanks for letting us all know and well done for being smart dudes!

Michelle said...

I heard about this and CBS was being completely bogus towards you guys. I live in Nashville so spent some time on Belmont campus yesterday for the debate. CBS taped some segments of the Early Show there, including an appearance by John Rich playing "Raisin' McCain." Now maybe they thought that was okay since he was surrounded by mostly Obama supporters waving Obama signs, but that still seems mighty fishy to me.

Anonymous said...

wow, that is RIDICULOUS. i am glad you are putting the word out there, and getting some press about what really happened.

Ricardo said...

Just saw your performance. I am glad you guys decided to perform as this is the first time I heard of you and enjoyed it a lot.

Craig did mention that you posted this so I had to look it up.

Cameron Rath said...

Good call on the change Randy. I wonder if they would have said anything if it was a McCain shirt...

Anonymous said...

Yawn. Thank god you bravely decided to take a stand and, uh, play your lumpen indie rock on television.

The reason that CBS's reaction is funny is, of course, that a) the American electorate doesn't give anything even approaching a shit about your political leanings, and b) they give even less of a shit about listening to your music. The fact that you don't realise this is a testament to your arrogant, puffed up fuckwittery.

You'd have had more effect on the American public by just walking away with your pal Dean, and both having a colossal wank into a sports sock. Please, please realise this. For the sake of humanity.

pumpkinhead said...

i really want to agree with jeff thomas, but i like whut you did instead.

but then, i'm not a fan of yer band. quite frankly, idonno whut the fuss is about. but i like that you started from the ground up (whut with the smell performance and a stint at the los angeles river [i've fantasized about that]).

so hey! power to ya. play yer blasted fuckwittery. i approve of this message.

pumpkinhead said...

i really want to agree with jeff thomas, but i like whut you did instead.

but then, i'm not a fan of yer band. quite frankly, idonno whut the fuss is about. but i like that you started from the ground up (whut with the smell performance and a stint at the los angeles river [i've fantasized about that]).

so hey! power to ya. play yer blasted fuckwittery. i approve of this message.

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