Julian McMahon, left, and Dylan Walsh, shown here with all their clothes on, star in "Nip/Tuck." Click photo for larger image.

Toyota Motor Corp. has pulled all advertising from the FX drama "Nip/Tuck" (10 tonight) in part over concerns about the show's content, according to a Nov. 1 letter from the automaker addressed to the television decency advocacy group Parents Television Council.

The move follows a letter-writing campaign by the Los Angeles-based PTC informing "Nip/Tuck" advertisers of the graphic depictions of sex and violence on the show and asking them to rescind their sponsorships, said Tim Winter, the group's executive director.

"We applaud Toyota for their decision," Winter said. "We understand their need to reach young audiences and their desire for edgy programming. ... Protecting children from graphic sex and violence in the media is a shared responsibility. Parents are the front line, but advertisers need to be responsible also."

The PTC has contacted hundreds of "Nip/Tuck" advertisers since the show first aired in 2003, said Winter, "and dozens have responded by no longer sponsoring shows or letting us know that they won't continue their sponsorship in the future."

Having advertisers walk away is nothing new for the surgery-heavy show. Last year, Ben & Jerry's and Gateway Inc. were among companies that pulled ads from the show, although reasons for their decisions were not publicly given.

Other advertisers sometimes pulled out of specific episodes, such as one that included underage drinking.

Toyota spokeswoman Nancy Hubbell said the carmaker's decision was based on several factors, including content. She described the move as part of a broader re-evaluation of where and how Toyota advertises.

John Solberg, vice president of public relations for FX, declined to comment on Toyota's decision, saying the network does not discuss individual advertisers.

"The show is sold out for the season at one of the highest advertiser rates in all of cable," Solberg said. He said that the show's first seven episodes averaged 2.8 million viewers in the highly valued 18-49 age bracket.

(Steven Barrie-Anthony, Los Angeles Times)

Channel surfing

The locally produced "Charlie Godart Show," formerly on WBGN, moves to WPGH at midnight Saturday beginning this weekend. ... The WB is developing an "Aquaman" TV series from the producers of "Smallville." But it won't be a spin-off and won't feature the actor who played the part on a recent "Smallville" episode. ... NBC has opted not to order another season of low-rated "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart."... MTV will spin off Lauren (aka LC) from "Laguna Beach" for a new reality show, "The Hills," which follows her as she lives in Los Angeles and attends college.

(Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor)