True Blue

Exactly what kinds of dirty minds are navigating fall pilots? A number of show creators have pushed the proverbial envelope in an attempt to distinguish their new series, whether it's depicting a sexed-up surgeon stimulating a hot Latina housekeeper with a vibrating pager (ABC's ''Meds'') or a cop farting in the face of his partner who's trying to apply a wire to his crotch (Fox's ''Fastlane''). The foul language is flying too: In Fox's ''Cedric the Entertainer Presents,'' one sketch features the star comedian as a mean character named Mrs. Cafeteria Lady who says things like ''I'm a bicycle with the seat off.... I'll get in your ass.''

Network suits not only defend the naughty content but say it will most likely make it on the air. ''You always want to create the highest possible stakes in a pilot,'' says one Big Four exec. ''When you're introducing a slew of new characters, it's a quick and easy way to give someone a signature moment.'' That's one way to define a scene about cutting the cheese.

(Additional reporting by William Keck)

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