TV Reviews : ABC Afterschool Special Tackles Censorship

“It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll,” an ambitious, clumsy ABC Afterschool Special today at 3 p.m., focuses on issues of censorship and freedom of expression.

It’s more New Kids on the Block than 2 Live Crew, but when the lead singer of a high-school rock band performs a suggestive song, the band is caught up in a local anti-obscenity campaign. They’re also offered a record contract.

But singer Hallie (Alison Bartlett) only did the song because guitarist Johnny (William McNamara) challenged her to cut loose. She becomes a symbol for artistic freedom based on a song she doesn’t believe in.

If she won’t record the song, the band loses its contract, she loses Johnny and the self-righteous guardians of local decency claim victory. If she does record it, she’s compromised her artistic integrity.

It’s a hot issue, but it doesn’t have much punch here. The message that censorship is wrong, but artists have a responsibility to the public, is undermined by silly dialogue, wooden performances and pseudo-artsy camera work.

Bartlett is fine, but gets no help from co-star McNamara, who’s all Johnny Deppish pout, or from uncomfortable Grammy winner-turned-actress Carole King. As the exploitative record company exec, former Monkees star David Jones is more camp than sleaze, stuck with lines such as, “You dudes have a truly righteous sound.”

Gordon Rayfield wrote the teleplay; Allen Coulter directs.