Gregory House MD endorses Barack Obama?

News Type: Event — Wed May 21, 2008 11:59 AM EDT

politics, obama, house, fox, conservative, campaign-finance, bumper-sticker, commerical, change-2008

"13" in the stall - "Vote For Change 2008" sticker on the wall behind her.

A "Vote for Change 2008" bumpersticker was affixed to the wall in the bathroom stall scene in the final episode of House on Fox networks two nights ago. Fox is often decried as a bastion of conservative thought and speech (particularly their news channel). Yet one of their best shows was clearly showing an endorsement for the democratic front runner, Barack Obama.

I don't know the specific rules governing the use of public airwaves to provide commericals for the various candidates though I'm sure there are many regulations doing just that. Thus, I couldn't help but wonder was something wrong going on by having this bumper sticker on air for a full scene. I would guess that it was on display for at least 15 seconds. Does Fox now have to embed an advertisement for the other candidates into some other show for an equal amount of time? If not does the presence of the sticker, even though it didn't actually say "Obama" constitute a campaign contribution?

I will update this story as I learn more about the rules and repercussions of the bumper sticker (if there are any)

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8.4

1.0

{"commentId":1826282,"authorDomain":"finalcut"}

finalcut

Did anyone else notice the sticker? While shows often use product placement as a means to help make money I don't see political product placement very often. Is there an existing precedent to such a blatant endorsement on a show?

{"commentId":1826282,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"finalcut"}

3 votes

#1 - Wed May 21, 2008 12:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":4121268,"authorDomain":"emolinaa"}

Esteban-734243

I also notice the sticker, and it wasn't a flash take. It's absollutely a subliminal message. a good one....

{"commentId":4121268,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"emolinaa"}

1 vote

#1.1 - Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:24 AM EST

{"commentId":1826538,"authorDomain":"spikegary"}

Spikegary

I saw the sticker, but didn't think much about it. It's amazing to me that people call Fox News the bastion of Conservatives, because they differ in their interpretation of the news. I like Fox News because I see stories that I don't normally see on the other MSMs.

{"commentId":1826538,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"spikegary"}

2 votes

#2 - Wed May 21, 2008 12:49 PM EDT

{"commentId":1826593,"authorDomain":"finalcut"}

finalcut

I only thought about it becuase it seemed so unusual. I can't remember ever seeing an actual campaign object in a show before. Plus, the irony of it being on Fox which is constantly assaulted by those on the left for its blatant conservatism.

Plus, I thought the entire bathroom was kind of unkempt for a hospital bathroom. There was graffiti in House's stall and the sticker in 13's.

{"commentId":1826593,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"finalcut"}

2 votes

#2.1 - Wed May 21, 2008 1:01 PM EDT

{"commentId":1828253,"authorDomain":"g-lowell"}

g-lowell

I can't remember ever seeing an actual campaign object in a show before.

The candidates themselves have appeared on many different shows, and I would consider them a "campaign object."

{"commentId":1828253,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"g-lowell"}

#2.2 - Wed May 21, 2008 7:34 PM EDT

{"commentId":1828434,"authorDomain":"finalcut"}

finalcut

other than late night or daytime talk shows I can't really think of a fiction type show (like House) that has had a Presidential candidate on it. Do you remember some? If so I'd love to hear about some of them.

{"commentId":1828434,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"finalcut"}

#2.3 - Wed May 21, 2008 8:34 PM EDT

{"commentId":1828490,"authorDomain":"g-lowell"}

g-lowell

SNL, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report

I don't really consider The Daily Show and Colbert Report talk shows.

{"commentId":1828490,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"g-lowell"}

#2.4 - Wed May 21, 2008 8:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":1828564,"authorDomain":"g-lowell"}

g-lowell

I don't know how much credibility these have, but I have been told that Boston Legal endorsed Obama in its season finale.

{"commentId":1828564,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"g-lowell"}

#2.5 - Wed May 21, 2008 9:18 PM EDT

{"commentId":1829598,"authorDomain":"finalcut"}

finalcut

I'll have to try to find some info about the Boston Legal episode. That is the type of show I'm looking for (SNL, Colber, Jon Stewert are all "talk shows" to me, they are just comedic talk shows). I'm looking for sit-coms, drama's, dramedy's, serial mysterys (csi-type shows), etc..

{"commentId":1829598,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"finalcut"}

#2.6 - Thu May 22, 2008 8:17 AM EDT

{"commentId":1826923,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

Interesting topic.

I am not sure of the answer.

{"commentId":1826923,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

2 votes

#3 - Wed May 21, 2008 2:20 PM EDT

{"commentId":1827175,"authorDomain":"killfile"}

Killfile

There's no more requirement for "equal time" so that's out the window. The Dems have been trying to bring it back but with little success.

It doesn't constitute a campaign contribution b/c the Obama camp didn't (presumably) get any input as to how, when, and where it would air... kind of like how a paper endorsing a candidate doesn't count as an advertisement and thus there's no contribution.

I saw it too and thought it was pretty cool though.

{"commentId":1827175,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"killfile"}

3 votes

#4 - Wed May 21, 2008 3:17 PM EDT

{"commentId":1827310,"authorDomain":"finalcut"}

finalcut

thanks for the input Killfile. It seems odd that having "product placement" even without input would be considered the same as a newspaper or news story about him. The context of the sticker is totally different.

I'm not sure how input into how, when and where it were to air has any bearing on whether or not it would be a contribution either. None of the campaigns have any input on how much money I send to them but it is still a contribution.

I don't believe any tv channel can put up unlimited free commericals for one candidate and not do so for the others can they? Wouldn't that give that candidate an unfair advantage? This sticker on the show is a "commerical" and thus, to me, seems like it would fit into the same category as a free commerical broadcast.

PACs and what not have to pay for their commercials and they have to follow some kind of reporting guidelines I would imagine. If a TV show or channel were to behave like a PAC wouldn't they have to follow the same rules?

It just doesn't seem like it is as cut and dry as you make it out to be. With all of our rules and regulations about everything it seems like this type of free advertising would fall under the auspices of some regulation.

{"commentId":1827310,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"finalcut"}

1 vote

#4.1 - Wed May 21, 2008 3:38 PM EDT

{"commentId":1827457,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

I don't believe any tv channel can put up unlimited free commericals for one candidate and not do so for the others can they? Wouldn't that give that candidate an unfair advantage? This sticker on the show is a "commerical" and thus, to me, seems like it would fit into the same category as a free commerical broadcast.

Good point.

I am not sure, however, that this placement would qualify as a commercial.

It MAY, and this is just a guess, fall under creative license. For example, the writer could claim he wanted to make the statement that House supported Obama, to add dimension to his character.

It could also be that no one of import noticed the sticker, and no one has yet made a stink about it.

It could also be that the sanction for this type of violation is so small that the writer/director/producer does not care about the risk of the sanction.

In any case, good catch.

{"commentId":1827457,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

1 vote

#4.2 - Wed May 21, 2008 4:01 PM EDT

{"commentId":1827460,"authorDomain":"killfile"}

Killfile

I'm not sure how input into how, when and where it were to air has any bearing on whether or not it would be a contribution either. None of the campaigns have any input on how much money I send to them but it is still a contribution.

Right, but they can use that money for things over which they have control over the how, when, and where.

There are a bunch of rules about what constitutes an advertisement for a candidate and what doesn't, mostly because of groups like MoveOn.org. I know you can't mention a candidate by name and I also know you can't let a candidate or campaign direct your advertising campaign or have any knowledge of it that's not generally public.

I don't believe any tv channel can put up unlimited free commericals for one candidate and not do so for the others can they? Wouldn't that give that candidate an unfair advantage? This sticker on the show is a "commerical" and thus, to me, seems like it would fit into the same category as a free commerical broadcast.

Not as such, but they certainly can express their political opinions. Consider Fox News. Now by almost any sane estimation isn't little more than a 24 hour commercial for the Bush Administration. What stops them? Do they have to do equal time?

PACs and what not have to pay for their commercials and they have to follow some kind of reporting guidelines I would imagine. If a TV show or channel were to behave like a PAC wouldn't they have to follow the same rules?

PACs are different and, again, we're talking about political organizations. PACs generally just give money. 501(c)4s (like MoveOn) can use their money to lobby for legislation. At the end of the day though, I'm pretty sure that Fox or NBC or whomever can air whatever partisan content they'd like.

It just doesn't seem like it is as cut and dry as you make it out to be. With all of our rules and regulations about everything it seems like this type of free advertising would fall under the auspices of some regulation.

It would, but look how the show was very careful so as to put it in the background, not mention a specific candidate or party, and not talk about it explicitly.

{"commentId":1827460,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"killfile"}

1 vote

#4.3 - Wed May 21, 2008 4:02 PM EDT

{"commentId":1827523,"authorDomain":"finalcut"}

finalcut

@Shaun - thanks. I don't know if it counts as a commerical either. I suppose normal product placement tactics are though. So when House has a Coke on the show Coca-Cola is probably paying for it to be a Coke and not a generic cola.

@Killfile - Fox News is, supposedly a News Channel. And when they aren't showing "news" they are showing "Op-Ed" type shows and thus are being pretty straight forward in their statement that they are showing opinion pieces. I'm not sure if News and OpEd shows follow the same rules as other things might have to. I honestly wouldn't even know where to begin finding out.

Plus, didn't McCain Feingold have some kind of language in it that says stations have to provide some kind of equal air time (and didn't that piss of a bunch of free speech defenders?) Or am I all backwards?

I honestly don't care that there was a sticker for Obama on the show. I say props to him for the coup of sorts since this is the first time I've ever seen something like this. The simple fact that it is so unique to me is why I'm curious about what the legal implications actually are. If there is no limitation on what these channels can broadcast as far as political propaganda, and since Fox is so often cited as a conservative company, I'm surprised it wasn't a McCain type sticker in the stall.

Has no channel/show gone whole hog in support of a candidate on the campaign before because it would alienate a large chunk of their viewing audience? If so perhaps this sticker was a big gamble for the producers of House - I wonder what the demographic of those who watch it are. I can't believe I'm the only non-Democrat out there who enjoys House and his caustic comments.

{"commentId":1827523,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"finalcut"}

1 vote

#4.4 - Wed May 21, 2008 4:16 PM EDT

{"commentId":1827617,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

Fox is so often cited as a conservative company, I'm surprised it wasn't a McCain type sticker in the stall.

Good point.

{"commentId":1827617,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

1 vote

#4.5 - Wed May 21, 2008 4:37 PM EDT

{"commentId":1827909,"authorDomain":"mikesifeldeen"}

Mike Sifeldeen

I'm betting Hugh Laurie wanted it in the scene, so he pulled some strings. ;-)

{"commentId":1827909,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"mikesifeldeen"}

1 vote

#5 - Wed May 21, 2008 5:52 PM EDT

{"commentId":1827923,"authorDomain":"finalcut"}

finalcut

Did you see it? Interestingly enough it was in the stall he wasn't in. It was behind his young apprentice "13"

I wish I had a screen capture of the scene.

{"commentId":1827923,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"finalcut"}

#5.1 - Wed May 21, 2008 5:56 PM EDT

{"commentId":1828006,"authorDomain":"finalcut"}

finalcut

A little googling around and I found a screen grab - the article has been updated with an image of the scene.

{"commentId":1828006,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"finalcut"}

1 vote

#5.2 - Wed May 21, 2008 6:20 PM EDT

{"commentId":1828247,"authorDomain":"g-lowell"}

g-lowell

"A vote for change" is too vague to be in support of one candidate. All three of the major candidates, Clinton, McCain, and Obama, are talking about change; so that could really be in support of any candidate.

Even if that is in support of Obama, it does not break any election laws. It is not funded by Obama and Fox putting up the bumper sticker is protected by freedom of speech.

Even if this was somehow funded by the Obama campaign, it would not violate any election laws. All three major candidates have appeared on television shows to promote themselves. This would be no different.

{"commentId":1828247,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"g-lowell"}

1 vote

#6 - Wed May 21, 2008 7:32 PM EDT

{"commentId":1828443,"authorDomain":"finalcut"}

finalcut

I'm pretty sure "A Vote for Change" is a pretty clear indication of Obama considering that is one of his main campaign slogans.

I'd really like to know what laws might be applicable (or not) - I don't begrudge him but, as I have already stated, I just have never seen a placement like this in this type of TV show before. Can you identify a sit-comedy/drama type show on TV where a candidate has been on the show?

They have all been on SNL which is, to me just a comedic talk show, and they have been on a bunch of talk shows - but I can't think of a single instance where any candidate in any year that I have been alive (since 72) has been on, or been endorsed on, a drama or comedy.

{"commentId":1828443,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"finalcut"}

1 vote

#6.1 - Wed May 21, 2008 8:37 PM EDT

{"commentId":1828502,"authorDomain":"g-lowell"}

g-lowell

Clinton and McCain have also been talking about change.

{"commentId":1828502,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"g-lowell"}

1 vote

#6.2 - Wed May 21, 2008 8:53 PM EDT

{"commentId":1829596,"authorDomain":"finalcut"}

finalcut

Come on now g-lowell; all candidates mention change but none have campaigned on that particular phrase quite like Obama has:

Obama Campaign Store:
http://store.barackobama.com/category_s/1019.htm

Clinton Campaign Store:
http://www.hillarystore.com/stickers.htm

McCain Campaign Store:
http://store.johnmccain.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=21

I challenge you to find 1 item in their stores that mentions "Vote for Change" - clearly this sticker in the bathroom is an Obama sticker. "Vote For Change" is one of his specific rallying calls; hell he probably has it as a registered trademark.

{"commentId":1829596,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"finalcut"}

2 votes

#6.3 - Thu May 22, 2008 8:15 AM EDT

{"commentId":1830028,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

clearly this sticker in the bathroom is an Obama sticker

It's interesting that it was in the bathroom.

I do think, though, that the "vague" argument could be the key, regarding any possible sanctions.

{"commentId":1830028,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

1 vote

#6.4 - Thu May 22, 2008 10:30 AM EDT

{"commentId":1830899,"authorDomain":"rosieboo"}

RosieBooDeleted

{"commentId":1918436,"authorDomain":"gimmesummat"}

Igmeus

The actress who plays 13 (and the guy who plays Cutner, incidentally) both campaigned for Obama. My guess is she stuck it up there.

{"commentId":1918436,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"gimmesummat"}

1 vote

#8 - Sat Jun 7, 2008 9:38 PM EDT

{"commentId":1941751,"authorDomain":"tuppington"}

Tup

I see it more as a mockery of Barack Obama. It associates him with a bathroom!

House is a conservative show. It's all about a Strict Father-figure who knows best for everyone. Remember when Mitt Romney was the presumptive Republican nominee, and a Mormon just "happened" to pop up on the show?

{"commentId":1941751,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"tuppington"}

#9 - Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:16 PM EDT

{"commentId":1944898,"authorDomain":"finalcut"}

finalcut

I can't imagine they didn't make fun of the Mormon. house makes fun of pretty much anyone who is religious. I'm not sure how having a Mormon on supports the idea the show is a conservative one.

It may seem like it is strict-father figure - but he is also a drug abusing person who challenges authority at every chance he has - which, frankly, doesn't sound very socially conservative.

I honestly never put any political leaning on the show at all - I just like his caustic attitude and enjoy watching them solve the crazy medical puzzles. That was why the sticker surprised me.

{"commentId":1944898,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"finalcut"}

#9.1 - Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:28 AM EDT

{"commentId":2715468,"authorDomain":"txcvnurse7"}

Bamachic90

I just thought I would mention I blogged on the message board about the "change '08" sticker. It appears they didn't like the fact I mentioned it- as my blog under "ask the writers" is now gone. I was just disappointed that they would use their show to display a political statement.

{"commentId":2715468,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"txcvnurse7"}

#10 - Wed Sep 3, 2008 9:14 AM EDT

{"commentId":2716410,"authorDomain":"finalcut"}

finalcut

what blog under "ask the writers" are you talking about? Are you talking about the official "House" website or something?

{"commentId":2716410,"threadId":"267713","contentId":"1503514","authorDomain":"finalcut"}

#10.1 - Wed Sep 3, 2008 10:15 AM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"267713","isPrivate":false}

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