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Don’t worry, NBC, Comcast’s code of conduct probably won’t apply to TV shows

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It might be time for Comcast Corp. to rewrite some of its code of conduct, now that it owns NBC Universal.

Among the actions that can create a hostile work environment, the Comcast guide sites ‘displaying sexually suggestive materials in the workplace or on Company computers or mobile devices.’

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What about creating sexually suggestive content for those and other platforms? On the most recent episode of ‘Saturday Night Live,’ for example, there was a skit called ‘Bride of Blackenstein,’ a spoof on the black exploitation films of the 1970s that certainly displayed sexually suggestive materials. Then there are all those little films the show makes that get so much attention, like the one about guys putting things in boxes and another that brought new meaning to Mother’s Day.

Of course, we’re aware that the rules that Comcast wants employees to follow don’t apply to the folks making TV shows. Comcast already knows this well. After all, it owns E!, home of the Kardashians and ‘Kendra,’ a show featuring former Hugh Hefner girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson.

But it is ironic how big media companies have these very specific rules about how employees are supposed to conduct themselves while at the same time making TV shows that often violate those very rules.

Oh and the company also frowns upon ‘pursuing a romantic relationship with a co-worker who
has indicated that he or she is not interested.’ That rule, if followed by writers and producers, would just about kill the premise of every workplace comedy on television.

-- Joe Flint

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