TV too Conservative? Nah.

So Mr. Steven Bochco, the man responsible for showing America David Caruso's hind end, thinks that TV is too conservative now.
'NYPD Blue' Producer Deems TV Too 'Conservative': "'NYPD Blue' Producer Deems TV Too 'Conservative'"

He cites, or at least this article does, the Janet Jackson experience that the world had last January has made networks too afraid to come up with some racy stuff for TV.

I have to disagree. I think it's racier than ever, it just doesn't show up in drama format on daytime TV. There are more R rated series than ever available at the tube these days, but they have found a more appropriate home on cable TV. Subscription cable is the obvious place, where shows like Sex in the City, Deadwood, and another series by Penn and Teller that has a title not fit to print. Even the comedy is rated R, like Curb Your Enthusiasm. (Deadwood and Curb are two of my favorite shows, but baby, they shouldn't be shown on ABC without some bleeping and blurring.)

Even basic cable has some great shows that are not fit for prime time on broadcast. The two that come to mind immediately are the Shield and Rescue Me, both on FX. These shows are well written and well acted, and I wouldn't watch either of them in front of company.

The standards for what is OK on TV have slipped significantly in the last thirty years anyway.

I think Bochco either doesn't get it or won't be happy until all TV is defiled. There's something to be said for keeping the free content that is broadcast over the airwaves held to higher standards than the content you pay for. Everyone else has to muster some self control, why not broadcast TV?