Chris Brown does the right thing

It's not so much that it reflects well on Chris Brown that he has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Kids' Choice awards, as it reflects awfully on Nickelodeon. The kids' TV network has handed the moral high ground to a man who doesn't deserve it which leaves them looking a bit shabby.

Yesterday, of course, Nikelodeon were busily suggesting that the prize was based on the music alone:

"Like all our KCA nominees, was nominated by kids several months ago based on his body of work as a performer, and the kids who vote will ultimately decide who wins in the category," Dan Martinsen, Nickelodeon spokesman, told the Associated Press.

Oddly, now Brown has pulled out, their tune has changed:

Nickelodeon television network issued its own statement Wednesday.

"We agree with and respect his decision, and are looking forward to presenting a great event for our audience," it said.

But yesterday you said it was up to the kids - so, effectively, you're saying that you didn't think it was right to tell him he couldn't come, but it's right for him to realise he couldn't come? It's hard to tell if Nickelodeon is more spineless than it is self-serving, or more self-serving than it is spineless. Great lessons for the network to be teaching its audience, either way.