MSNBC Slaps Tape Delay on Scarborough

MSNBC is putting a 7-second muzzle on Joe Scarborough, after the Morning Joe host accidentally uttered the F-word during Monday’s show. Though cable networks are immune from FCC decency rules, MSNBC confirmed that it was instituting the delay to prevent a repeat incident and noted it had done the same thing for Don Imus when his gums flapped a little to wide.

The Parents Television Council applauded the move. “Millions of families are grateful for MSNBC’s decision to try to prevent inappropriate language from airing,” said a spokesman, who added that “NBC should follow suit with the Today Show and its other live programming.” Jane Fonda let slip a different not-so-nice epithet in an interview on that show this year. (More MSNBC stories.)