"NYPD Blue'' were dealt a last-minute blow.

Anxious ZBM bosses pulled the plug on the show which critics have labelled "soft-core porn''.

They have decided to scrutinise ABC's programme before airing it.

The drama -- which features several nude scenes -- has caused massive controversy in the United States.

One of the show's stars is 37-year-old David Caruso who plays a detective.

Caruso, dubbed one of the "Hunks of Autumn'' by Mademoiselle magazine, strips off twice in the first six episodes.

One nude scene is with an actress, the other as he crosses a locker room.

"I did a nude scene this morning -- totally gratuitous,'' the actor told The New York Times last Sunday.

As many as one-fourth of ABC stations decided not to carry the first episode on Tuesday.

Bermudians had expected to view the show at 11 p.m. on TV 7.

Surprisingly the programme was given a G rating in the TV Week guide, suggesting it was suitable for general viewing.

One disappointed viewer was Mrs. Helle Patterson, of Hamilton Parish, who complained to The Royal Gazette .

She also wrote to Mr. Rick Richardson, Acting General Manager of Bermuda Broadcasting Company.

"For some time now my husband and I have been eagerly looking forward to the arrival of NYPD Blue only to find tonight, at the very last minute, that you are withholding it while you ponder whether we deserve to see it!'' she said.

"Instead, we are to be blessed with an out-of-the-blue episode of LA Law -- even though you removed that from our screens quite a few seasons ago, no doubt because we were all enjoying it too much.

"Now why is there this bit of ado about NYPD? Because of a flash of bare buttock or breast?'' Mrs. Patterson suggested 11 p.m. was a safe viewing time.

"Any child who is still up watching television at 11 p.m. on a school night has parents who do not care, or have lost control, in which case the kid will laugh at your prudery, having seen on video things you and I -- or at least I -- could not even imagine.'' Mrs. Patterson was scathing about some Bermuda Broadcasting and ABC programmes which, she claimed, rendered parents brain dead.

The usual Tuesday night TV line-up -- with such programmes as "Full House'' and "Coach'' -- was "coma-inducing''.

Mrs. Patterson asked why Bermuda Broadcasting had not previewed Saturday evening Channel 7 fashion programmes, which also featured nudity.

Yesterday Mr. Richardson said "over-the-air `free' television'' had more of a moral obligation to examine programmes than "pay-per-view'' or cable.

Bermuda Broadcasting had a self-imposed code of ethics, pointed out Mr.

Richardson.

And additional guidelines and regulations were imposed by the Broadcast Commissioners.

Mr. Richardson said ABC had brought to the company's attention the graphic scenes in "NYPD Blue''.

"We are not able to catch everything that is sent our way, but we do try to act accordingly when duly warned.

"At this point, we are looking to air NYPD Blue, but not without some scrutiny.'' Mr. Richardson invited the opinions of teachers and community leaders who are "constantly blaming television for the decline and erosion of moral standards''.