LOS ANGELES (August 7, 2009) – The Parents Television Council™ is warning its members about the explicit nature of Comedy Central’s “Roast of Joan Rivers,” which will air on Sunday, August 9. Even a one-minute video preview on the Comedy Central web site contains a warning: “Explicit Language, Viewer Discretion is Advised.”

“We have found that time and again Comedy Central ‘Roasts’ have some of the most explicit content available on basic cable and the ‘Roast of Joan Rivers’ promises to be no different. This type of show is one of the main reasons why consumers want the ability to choose and pay for only the cable networks they want through some form of Cable Choice,” said PTC President Tim Winter.

Previous Comedy Central “Roasts” have been regularly filled with explicit dialogue and innuendo. For instance, when Larry the Cable Guy was roasted in March 2009, these are examples of what was said: “You’re so fat and hairy you could be a stunt double for Rosie O’Donnell’s [bleeped ‘c-word'];” “She’s never given birth but she has had eighty fingers inside her at the same time;” “Lisa’s vagina is known as the limo cause it fits eight, it has leather interior and I came in it tonight.”

The PTC will be monitoring the show and intends to contact every sponsor of the “Roast of Joan Rivers.”

“If the content of this year’s broadcast comes even close to that of prior years’ broadcasts – and we have every reason to believe it will – we will hold each and every advertiser publicly accountable for underwriting the program. We are warning advertisers now that they cannot separate their brand from the content that their media dollars make possible,” Winter continued.

“With the exception of cable television, no other media sector requires its customers to purchase a product they do not want – or that they may even find harmful or offensive – in order to consume a product that they do want. During these hard economic times, consumers do not need to pay for cable channels that they do not want or watch. Given Comedy Central’s upcoming explicit ‘Roast,’ we urge our members to contact their representatives of Congress and demand Cable Choice for consumers.”


To speak with a representative from the Parents Television Council, please contact Kelly Oliver (ext. 140) or Megan Franko (ext. 148) at (703) 683-5004.