Fuck the Parents Television Council...

Oct 05, 2006 14:37

From One boob == 963,000 Complaints...

The real problem with the PTC complaints is that the organization uses "indecency criteria" so simplistic that they makes Blue's Clues look like a college philosophy course. They rate shows based on "sex," "language," "violence," and "overall." Curse words-bad for children! Shows stuffed with nothing but consumerism, tawdry celebrity, and mockery of those who can't hold a tune-good for children!

Consider Everybody Loves Raymond, which received "green lights" in all four PTC categories. In promoting the show as a family-friendly offering, the PTC notes that "Raymond promotes the idea of long-lasting marriage, and Debra feels fulfilled in her role as a stay-at-home mom. Language on this series used to be harsh, but since the first of 2004 [sic], has dropped to a record low number of just 8 uses of mild 'hell,' 'crap,' and 'damn' in 6 episodes. Sexual references have been non-existent since January 2004."

The focus is on specifics: exact words, number of uses, etc. While the PTC does point to the fact that the couple remain married and that Debra "feels fulfilled," it's arguable whether the show portrays family in such a way that anyone would want to have one. The main characters show little affection for one another, the jokes routinely come at the expense of spouses, and the whole milieu feels joyless and barren. Regardless of how "mild" the show's use of "hell," "crap," and "damn" may be, it's a show that makes me viscerally uncomfortable to watch, and it's not the kind of thing I want my kids to see.

news, rant

Previous post Next post
Up