It’s bye-bye Bart in Venezuela. After getting the boot from China a TV channel in Venezuela has also pulled the plug on “The Simpsons” because it contains material officials say is inappropriate for children.
According to local newspapers, the decision came after the country’s National Telecommunications Commission received dozens of angry complaints from viewers, who were distressed that the animated series was being aired daily during an 11 a.m. time slot.
A representative from Televen TV, which aired “The Simpsons,” said the show had the highest levels of viewership for that time slot in the history of the channel, but was yanked because NTC officials considered it a series that “isn’t appropriate for that time because it isn’t appropriate for children.”
“The Simpsons” has been replaced by “Baywatch Hawaii.” Yes, the series that showcases a slew of buxom bikini-clad babes and half dressed hunks running in and out of the waters surrounding the 50th State.
Interestingly, the TV station has not received a single complaint about that show.
HEIDI JUMPS SHIP
More like sashayed her Peabody Award-winning “Project Runway” show to Lifetime, and in the process is being named in a lawsuit by NBC Universal Co., which used to air the show on its Bravo network.
In the lawsuit NBC Universal claims Lifetime’s new deal (which is reportedly worth $150 million and allows the network to air the next five seasons of the popular reality TV show beginning this November) violated an agreement to give Bravo the right of first refusal to the series after the initial five-season run concluded. However, the company that produces “Project Runway” maintains that there was no right of first refusal in the contract.
The show just completed its fourth season on Bravo last month, and drew nearly 5.2 million viewers to its finale. Heidi Klum’s televised fashion competition is Bravo’s top-rated program and production is already underway on the fifth season, which will air on Bravo before the Lifetime deal kicks in.