Family Guy's Stewie

When it comes to cartoon nudity, Fox has bottomed out.

Entertainment president Gail Berman told critics yesterday that the network -- heavily fined by the U.S. regulator last fall for violating broadcast standards -- has censored their edgy cartoon comedy Family Guy.

"We pixilated animated butt, two weeks ago," Berman told a small gathering of critics after her executive session press conference.

The offending butt belonged to Stewie, Family Guy's diabolical baby. The four-year-old episode had run uncensored for several seasons.

The whole thing was a bummer, said Berman, who stressed that the censorship was not a reaction to viewer requests. "We did it because it was right after we had just been cited for indecency and we have to be a responsible broadcaster." Berman blamed shifting standards at the Federal Communications Commission for broadcast limits confusion. "We have to be second- and third-guessing ourselves now and that's not easy to do," she said.

Fox is currently challenging an FCC ruling levelling a $1.2-million fine at the network for an episode of Married By America. Parent groups complained to the FCC last summer after stumbling upon wild sex scenes on the little-seen series.

Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, also at the L.A. press tour yesterday, dismissed the 'toon tush coverup, or derriere debacle, as part of the dreaded "post-Janet Jackson world."

"Fact is, everybody has an ass -- it's not gender specific," said MacFarlane.

Fox, which is tired of having its kicked, is appealing the fine. They argue that the fact cable networks like HBO and its own FX (home to ass-friendly adult dramas Nip/Tuck and The Shield) get a free ride -- renders the FCC ruling unconstitutional.