Earlier today we posted a story about Hal Halpin addressing the Mass Effect/Fox News situation and his defense of video games, but the drama isn't over.
When asked to apologize for their incorrect portrayal of Mass Effect by EA, Fox simply issued a statement that they have "extended several invitations to EA for a company representative to appear on Live Desk w/ Martha MacCallum to discuss Mass Effect, and the segment which aired on Monday. We have received no response.”
That's been the official word from the network, but on yesterday's Live Desk w/ Martha MacCallum, Martha herself took some time to acknowledge the statements made by Cooper Lawrence, the guest on the original program who debated with game journalist Geoff Keighley about the supposed pornographic nature of the game.
We at X-Play reached out to Live Desk and managed to get our hands on a copy of the show transcript (and as of this posting are the only outlet to have it) of just what was said on air:
“Last week we aired a segment about a video game called Mass Effect. There has been some criticism from the gaming community about the segment – on Friday, Cooper Lawrence who was the guest who spoke-out against the game, had this to say in an interview with the New York Times:
(MacCallum reading Lawrence’s comments from Jan. 26th NYT article): “I recognize that I misspoke. I really regret saying that, and now that I have seen the game and seen the sex scenes, its kind of a joke. Before the show I had asked somebody about what they had had heard, and they had said its like pornography. But its not like pornography. I’ve seen episodes of ‘Lost’ that are more sexually explicit.”
MacCallum: That from Cooper Lawrence in the New York Times.
MacCallum: Again, we are inviting a representative from Microsoft, or BioWare or EA, the creators and distributors of this game for an interview with me, on this show to give their perspective of this story.
Thanks for being with us today – a busy day on the Live Desk – we’ll see you right back here tomorrow. I’m Martha MacCallum, coming up next, E.D. Hill and America’s Pulse."
Not exactly an admittance of guilt, but it's at least an acknowledgement of the skewed prespective of the discussion in the first place. When contacted for further comment, Fox News once again extended their January 24 invitation to EA/BioWare.
Comment(s)
Fox Person: Well Greg Zeschuk (Bioware founder) is there a scene of two characters having sex in your game?
Greg: Yes, but you have...
Fox Person: Thank you for your time you porn addict. Coming up next, we spend two hours talking about Britney Spear
I can't keep it all straight.
And no kididng Firestorm76....I just hope g4tv doesn't sell out and start going after "ratings"
Really, you know the moment they get someone on their show they're going to turn it all around on them.
They just want to milk this for all it's worth.
Every 'reporter' on there seems to consist of inordinately attractive blondes with large busts in low cut 'business' attire. Which is the only reason I watch Fox News, or for that matter, any network news channel. (Soledad O' Brian...mmm.)
But, misspeaking, and being completely wrong are two different games altogether, Mz.Lawrence.
Here, here! Admiral Ackbar should be quoted more often.
Relax.
Hetman is right, we have ratings for a reason, so people don't have to worry about questionable content getting to kids. And at the same time we need to respect the game developers' freedom of speech. If they want to make a violent/pornographic game then that's their choice, you don't have to let your kids play those games.
EA should never honor Fox with an appearance. Fox is not a credible organization, therefore, all credible organizations/individuals have better things to do than be party to a Fox Farce.
F-bomb Fox!!!
I hate Fox even more now.
Not to be mean or anything, but I would like to point out that without sex, we wouldn't have a society. If your parents hadn't committed an act that you consider detrimental to themselves and society, then you wouldn't be commenting on this post. That's right, forget about reproduction?
And doctors will tell you that sex and staring at boobs are better for you than exercise and Cheerios. Studies have been done.
BTW, hetman, spike47(?) left a comment on that story about 120-160 GB PS3s. He may be back.
this is wonderful. First O'Riley constantly bad mouthing Cnada, now this schlock? what's next, bush cloned to take over the US government again?!?!?!
WILL THIS NEVER END?!?!?!?!
"F..K FOX NEWS"
The Onion news is more reliable than Fox. Did you all know that the reporters are not even real people? If they are, then how do you explain Bill O'Reily? That guy just has to be a robot. Well, what can you expect when Bush has a family memeber that runs their news anyway.
they asked microsoft ea, or biware to send a representative. they didn't. so they had two "experts" on.
one chick on that was all...it's porn...and it's the demise of all civilization.(she sounded like a nut to me so why even take her seriously)
then the other guy(who was calm and well informed)said it wasn't. he said you could see butt and side boob. and that you had to form a relationship with the character and basically fall in love to see the cutscene.
both "sides" were given the time to talk. then a bunch of people that work on fox news were talking about how they didn't like video games because of the violence and sex.
is everyone suprised that fox news is biased? every person ever born has biases. and since news programs are put on by PEOPLE then of course they will be biased.
I disagree with the fox news anchors. but i also disagree with alot of the stuff bill mahr says on his program and passes it off as news.
It shouldn't be a suprise that fox news leans right. just like it shouldn't be a suprise that cnn and the new york times, and hbo, and abc, and msnbc and basically every other news station on the face of the planet leans left.
Come on people...this is america. fox news isn't the devil because it leans right. just like bill mahr isn't the devil because he leans left. why don't you watch all the news stations, get all the sides of the stories.