TV/VIDEO

Brits Balk at Violent Content: More than 100 legislators in Britain are demanding a ban on the video release of Oliver Stone’s film “Natural Born Killers.” Their call, in a House of Commons motion supported by members of all parties, comes in the wake of the shooting deaths of 16 schoolchildren and their teacher last week in Dunblane, Scotland. The motion says the House “reaffirms its commitment to the protection of children and other vulnerable viewers from gratuitously violent videos.” It goes on to say the British Board of Film Classification should have special regard to possible harm by videos “dealing with criminal, violent or horrific behavior,” and says the legislators are “appalled” that the board “ignored the wishes of Parliament by classifying the grossly violent film ‘Natural Born Killers’ for video release without cuts.” Last week, distributor Warner Home Video responded to the Dunblane killings by indefinitely postponing release of the movie about a psychopathic couple on a killing spree, calling it “inappropriate for the time being.”

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Dunphy’s Response: KCBS-TV Channel 2 news anchor Jerry Dunphy, upset with his treatment by station management in light of a revamping of the station’s news schedule that excludes him from the on-air lineup, said Tuesday that he plans to sit out the remaining 21 months of his contract, which will pay him more than $1 million this year and almost $1.5 million next year. News Director Larry Perret had said the station wanted to find another role for the veteran newsman, but Dunphy, who had anchored the 4 p.m. broadcast, said he is considering reprising his 1970s series, “Jerry Visits,” in which he talked to celebrities at their homes. KCBS officials could not be reached for comment.