Related Resources • Opie and Anthony • Streaming Audio from Opie and Anthony

You may have heard about the controversial radio stunt recently pulled by WNEW's "Anthony and Opie" show in New York. They broadcast a couple having sex from St. Patrick's Cathedral - having sex right just feet away from worshipers during a service while a member of the show provided a running commentary on a cell phone. The couple, in their 30s, were trying to win a contest called "Sex For Sam". They were arrested after an usher spotted the half-naked woman next to the man zipping up his fly and charged with public lewdness, obscenity and exposure.

There's nothing new about high-profile radio personalities trying to garner press and publicity. Program Directors and General Managers generally encourage this behavior because, quite frankly, it can usually help contribute to better ratings.

You can't sell a product if the consumer doesn't know it's on sale and radio shows - radio stations - are products. When you listen to a webcast or a traditional radio station, you are "buying" the product.

This time, though, there is a certain amount of outrage coming from various quarters over this stunt. Sex during church service? Yeah, that's gotten some people's attention, including the FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps who released this statement on complaints received regarding the broadcast.

"I have received many outraged e-mails and phone calls complaining about a running on-air broadcast of a sex act in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York as part of a radio stunt. According to the complaints and press accounts, this act took place within a few feet of worshippers and visitors. I have forwarded each of the complaints to our Enforcement Bureau for action. I expect this complaint to be on the fast-track at the Commission. Congress passed laws limiting the broadcast of "obscene, indecent or profane" language and charged the FCC with the enforcement of these laws. The FCC has a responsibility to ensure that the indecency laws of the United States are being vigorously enforced. I take this responsibility with the utmost seriousness. If these complaints and press accounts prove true, this Commission should consider the strongest enforcement action possible against this station, up to and including revocation of the station's license."

Has the Federal Communication Commission been pushed too far this time? Would they actually consider revocation of the broadcast license held by Infinity Broadcasting for WNEW? Or, is the commissioner just trying to appease the outcry of critics?

What do you think? Did "Opie and Anthony" go too far? Email your guide radio.guide@about.com and let him know.

- Corey Deitz