 Prior to the shows premiere and immediately afterward there was  enormous controversy over what was perceived to be high levels of  offensive language and nudity. Many affiliates refused to air the  show and several advertisers boycotted it. Steven Bochco (qv)  negotiated intensely with the network for a certain amount of  language and nudity to be allowed. He has said that because of the  pressure on the network from this criticism the show would likely  not have survived had it not been an instant hit.