NBC's 'ER' Cuts Shot of Patient's Breast

[Khephra]

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Janet Jackson's revealing Super Bowl halftime moment has created fallout for ``ER,'' with NBC removing a glimpse of an elderly patient's breast in Thursday's episode.

The network said Wednesday it had ``unfortunately concluded that the atmosphere created by this week's events has made it too difficult for many of our affiliates to air this shot.''

NBC's decision was criticized by John Wells, the executive producer of the popular and long-running medical drama, who said such ``affiliate overreactions'' have a ``chilling effect'' on dramatic integrity.

In a statement, Wells called the Jackson incident at last Sunday's Super Bowl ``inappropriate and deplorable on a broadcast intended for viewers of all ages.''

But ``the incidental exposure of an elderly woman's breast in the context of a medical trauma is not comparable,'' he said.

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http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-TV-ER-Breast.html