(U-WIRE) GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida administration has dumped the keg of Gainesville’s airwaves.

Broadcasts of the Cox Radio segment Drunk Bitch Friday, an offshoot of the popular Lex and Terry program, have been suspended by UF officials in connection with the university’s plan to discourage student alcohol abuse.

Also stated as a reason for the suspension is the possibility of indecency violations for the Friday program under Federal Communications Commission guidelines.

“In light of the University of Florida’s efforts to foster responsible social drinking and help reduce binge drinking and its serious side effects, Rock 104 and the University of Florida are reviewing with attorneys the content of Lex and Terry’s Friday show,” said WRUF General Manager Larry Dankner, reading from a release.

“We have currently suspended the Friday show pending the advice of our attorneys,” he continued.

Lex and Terry will continue to broadcast Monday through Thursday without restrictions.

The contestants of “Drunk Bitch Friday” are driven into the show’s Jacksonville studio Friday morning and their alcohol consumption is closely monitored, said Peter Welpton, director of syndication for the Lex and Terry Morning Network, in an e-mail.

When the participant enters a “state of inebriation that is entertaining,” Welpton added, she is not allowed to consume any more alcohol.

The contestant is required to bring a female companion, who is not allowed to drink, and during the program, listeners are discouraged from driving drunk.

Thousands compete to be on the show and multiple interviews are conducted to determine participants, Welpton wrote.

He called the show “a good educational tool to demonstrate the effects of alcohol.”

Dankner said he does not know when or if the show will air again on WRUF.

“What we are looking at is the legalities of the show,” Dankner said. “Basically, I think that the law is just concerned if the show violates any FCC standards. Until we know the eventual outcome, everything is speculative.”

– David Cohen

WRUF is a commercially licensed radio station; however, the Cox Radio contract that includes clearance to air Lex and Terry broadcasts is controlled by UF’s Board of Trustees.

Dankner said the decision to suspend was mutual between the trustees, UF President Bernie Machen and WRUF.

Lisa Hupf, a UF graphic design freshman, does not see what the fuss is about.

“It’s all in good fun. It’s kind of a silly entertainment piece,” Hupf said.

But she added FCC violations would be valid reasons to suspend the show.

Blair Welsh, co-founder of Women’s Interlocking Network, had a more vitriolic perspective.

“I think it’s just a clear objectification of women,” she said. “The sheer title of it is derogatory towards women.”

Welpton said he understands that people may find the title offensive.

“We realize that some people may find the show’s name insensitive and even offensive,” he said. “But after over two years … it would be difficult to change the name of what is now our most popular feature.”