A "Desperate" move by ABC on "Monday Night Football" this week has ABC in hot water with some of its viewers and the National Football League.
The network issued an apology Tuesday for its steamy pre-game intro to its "Monday Night Football" broadcast that featured some of the actresses from "Desperate Housewives."
"We have heard from many of our viewers about last night's 'MNF' opening segment and we agree that the placement was inappropriate," said ABC in a statement. "We apologize."
The spot featured one of the show's stars, Nicollette Sheridan, wearing only a towel and provocatively asking Philadelphia Eagles player Terrell Owens to skip the game -- against the Dallas Cowboys -- for her.
After she dropped her towel, he smiled, agreed to be late for the football game as she jumped into his arms.
Sheridan was shown only from behind and above the waist after she dropped the towel.
Then the shot cut to two other show stars, Teri Hatcher and Felicity Huffman, watching the scene unfold on a television and commenting on desperate women.
"ABC's opening was inappropriate and unsuitable for our Monday Night Football audience," the NFL said in a statement. "While ABC may have gained attention for one of its other shows, the NFL and its fans lost."
The Eagles said they appreciated ABC apologizing for the segment.
"After seeing the final piece, we wish it hadn't aired," the team said. Although the "Desperate Housewives" opening was planned, ABC isn't taking any chances on any spontaneous shows of indecency.
Starting this year, the network began running "Monday Night Football" with a five-second delay.
That precaution came after Janet Jackson bared her breast during the Super Bowl halftime show in February.
That incident led to a record fine of more than $500,000, against CBS, imposed by the Federal Communications Commission.
The racy opening isn't getting rave reviews from the government's top media regulator.
FCC chief Michael Powell told CNBC the networks seem determined to "keep it hot and steamy" for financial returns.
Powell said he wonders "if Walt Disney would be proud," referring to the fact that the Walt Disney Company owns ABC.
An FCC spokeswoman said the agency has received a number of complaints over the segment, but would not say how many.
The commission plans to review the complaints and decide whether to open an investigation.
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Racy 'MNF' Open: Too Desperate?
