NBC asking GOPer candidates if it is okay to rerun Law and Order over summer

[Robbien]

NBC wants to air “Law & Order” repeats over the summer, but is worried about the political consequences — specifically whether the network would need to honor an equal time rule. The WaPo reported, “Hoping to avoid violating a Federal Communications Commission provision that would force the network to provide equal time to other candidates running for president, NBC chief lobbyist Robert Okun has reached out to the GOP presidential campaigns of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, among others, to inquire whether they would make a major issue out of Thompson being featured in reruns this summer.”

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/

Hey NBC, there is more to worry about than just GOPers. It may not seem like it to you but there is another party out there from which you should be seeking permission.

[northzax]

1. no, because Thompson is only potentially involved

in a party race right now. Next year there will be a general election, and if Thompson is the candidate for the GOP, this will apply to Democrats as well. How it works.

[melody]

2. Gosh, I wish they'd rerun the Wiseguy white supremist arc instead. :)

Much better series, plus we get the Fredulent one spouting all manner of racist
rhetoric.

[KharmaTrain]

3. The FEC Needs To Go After Thompson

Enough of this shit is enough. Thompson's purposely avoiding declaring so this show can continue to bring him big coin and exposure...also his fill-in commentaries for Paul Harvey that are heard on hundreds of mostly right wing radio stations...REAL gold and he is raising money through a third party...which i'm sure he'll re-imburse himself with at the earliest opportunity.

Of course NBC/Universal just sees money sitting in a can...Thompson's candidacy would not only stop first runs of this show, but also would apply to the reruns on its networks and its syndication. If Thompson waits until October to "formally" announce, then NBC makes it into the new Fall season...and it gives syndicated stations time to find replacement programming.

This is all about the Benjamins...Thompson is cranking in the bucks under the radar and will do so for as long as he can.

[Clark2008]

5. Thompson's no longer on the show, so it won't effect first runs.

http://thecelebritycafe.com/features/9940.html

[KharmaTrain]

6. The Remanider Of This Season...

This only covers a few weeks...but for NBC/Universal its still money. Thompson didn't renew for next season...but NBC still wants to show episodes from the current season he's appeared in.

[Clark2008]

9. It's summer. Isn't the season already over?

And I know about the reruns - that's why I only mentioned first runs.

[TwilightGardener]

8. Agreed--he is such a fucking sleazebag--he's doing everything he can to

milk maximum exposure and money out of his "limbo" status, and he's actively trying to skirt campaign-finance laws--the laws HE supported in the Senate!

[onenote]

4. During primary season, no need to seek permission from opposing party candidates

Actually, unless and until Thompson formally declares his candidacy, there is no reason for NBC to seek permission from other republicans either. The provisions of the Communications Act and the FCC's implementing rules clearly specify that the equal opportunities requirements (often labelled "equal time") only apply to appearances by "legally qualified" candidates and, during the primary timeframe, someone can only be a legally qualified candidate if, among other things, they have "publicly announced his or her intention to run for nomination or office". Assuming Thompson announces and meets the other criteria to be a "legally qualified candidate" under the equal opportunities rules, then the rule will apply, up until the nominating conventions, only vis-a-vis other repub candidates.

[Perky]

7. agreed n/t