Judge Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul
Judge Simon Cowell jokingly holds the nose of judge Paula Abdul as they arrive for the world premiere of the television series "The X Factor" at the Arclight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, California September 14, 2011. Reuters

Fox's new singing contest show, The X Factor, has already stirred up controversy as a U.S. watchdog group is charging last week's episode violated decency standards.

The Parents Television Council is threatening to file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission that the show violated broadcast decency rules in the episode aired Wednesday. The group says contestant Geo Godley's conduct was indecent dropping his pants and exposing himself during a song and dance routine.

The prolonged, previously videotaped footage of a contestant dancing nude on the 'X Factor' stage represents a conscious decision by the producers -- with the approval of the network's broadcast standards department -- to intentionally air this content in front of millions of families during hours when they knew full well that children would be watching, PTC president Tim Winters was quoted by Deadline.

If Godley performed his act in public, he would have been arrested. But if he performs it in front of a Fox camera, his act is beamed via the public airwaves into every home in the nation, Winters said.

Earlier, X Factor judge Paula Abdul had called Godley's performance shocking and disgusting, as did other celebrities.

The show's original British version, presented by ITV1, also was accused of not taking its responsibilities seriously after it aired footage of skimpily clad youngsters in a drunken state, indulging in intimate kissing and hot-tub frolicking.

The controversial episode, broadcast Saturday at 8.15 p.m., was shot over the summer during a welcome party for 186 contestants at the show's Bootcamp stage.

The UK X Factor has been dubbed Sex Factor by the show's production staff, said a Daily Mail report quoting insiders.

FCC