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Nude Developments at PBS? You'll Have to Stay Tuned

Ian McKellen as King Lear. PBS plans to air the acclaimed stage production, which features brief nudity by the 69-year-old title character. (Reuters)

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An acclaimed production of "King Lear" is coming to PBS but the channel was coy Saturday about whether a full-frontal nude scene with star Ian McKellen will be exposed on TV, an Associated Press reporter types.

The Full McKellen on PBS? a Philadelphia Daily News critic blogs.

"About the full-frontal nudity?" Kerger finally says, starting to wilt under the pressure. Some critics in the hotel ballroom laugh.

"Yes," the critic shoots back.

"Let's talk about this in January, okay?" Kerger tries, hopefully.

"Oh, come on! You're familiar with the scene, right?" the critic continues.

"I saw the production, yes," Kerger says.

"And what do you think about showing that on PBS?" the critic says.

"Well, it's what I think about it and what the FCC will allow," Kerger says, again with those pesky facts. "So we'll cross that bridge -- we're bringing it to you in January. Ask me the question again and I promise you --"

"My readers can't wait that long!" the critic snaps.

"Oh, yes they can," Kerger responds.

Later, another critic insists on knowing what Kerger thought of the nude scene when she saw the production.

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