Scenes of smoking have become increasingly rare in non-R-rated movies, according to the MPAA. Of the movies portraying smoking in recent years, 72% were rated R, 21% were rated PG-13, and 6% were rated PG.

CNN: Should smoking trigger an R rating?

It should be noted, however, that MacFarlane's "Ted" recently broke a box office record: The flick about a teddy bear that comes to life has surpassed "The Hangover" as the highest-grossing non-sequel R-rated comedy worldwide.

CNN: And the award for best host(s) goes to ...

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Virginia, called it a "non-starter" and "political chicanery" that threatened to undermine the talks.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) plans to introduce a non-binding resolution urging Attorney General Janet Reno to appoint an independent counsel to investigate the Democrats' fund-raising.

CNN: Republicans Pressure Reno For Independent Counsel