Emmy controversy as censors cut her acceptance speech when it touched on war

By Alex Ben Block

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today 9/16/07) – Showing heightened sensitivity in the wake of the Janet Jackson flap or perhaps a conservative political agenda, the Fox Broadcasting Company, a division of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., bleeped Best Actress winner Sally Field during her mildly political acceptance speech.

Fields was unrepentant when she faced reporters. Fields said she isn’t afraid of controversy. “I’ve been there before. Good!” she declared. “…I wanted to pay homage to the mothers of the world.”

Fields said that the heart of her character on “Brothers & Sisters” Nora Walker is a mother, so she said her award belonged to the mothers of the world, especially those who wait to see if their children will come home from war. “Let’s face it,” said Fields, “if the mothers ruled the world, there would be no god damn wars in the first place.”

Backstage a sheepish Fields did say, “I shouldn’t have said the ‘God’ in front of the damn.”

Field said there was a need for more shows about women like her, members of the baby boom generation who are now hitting their 60s. She said what she loves about her role on the show is the opportunity to play a realistic character. “It’s a blessing and a great opportunity for me to explore myself,” said Fields, “as an actor and at the same time, in my life.”

Now we really, really like Sally Field.