Salt Lake Tribune
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KSL and Leno
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2009, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

I enjoy all manifestations of the comedic muse, and I am certainly no prude. What I am not a fan of is hypocrisy for the sake of a buck. Years ago when KSL Channel 5 switched network affiliation, it chose not to run NBC's "Saturday Night Live." That was its prerogative, and I'm sure The CW Network appreciates the revenue from running it in Salt Lake. More recently, KSL opted out of showing a reality poker program. Again, its prerogative. Left-wing humor, sexual content and glorifying gambling are not its cup of tea, er, Postum.

Imagine my surprise when this same station has no qualms airing, five times a week during prime time, "The Jay Leno Show." During my first few months of sporadic viewing, I saw sketches referencing masturbation, oral sex, drug use and even one with a school chalkboard that pulled down to reveal a bed bedecked in red satin sheets to facilitate teacher-student sex (hardly a laughing matter in Utah). Where is KSL's righteous indignation now? Oh wait, could it be the advertising revenues that would be lost if it were to show something else instead, perhaps re-runs of LDS General Conference?

George Francis

Salt Lake City

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