CHCH takes aim at 'objectionable content' with Gilligan and the Bradys

[Sal]

I was reading a post on here about MeTv's new Saturday morning cartoon block when someone mentioned that certain cartoons could be censored or removed entirely because of questionable content that could be considered offensive to today's viewers (but was perfectly acceptable between 1947-2001!). Such alleged atrocities like Richie Cunningham having a poster with a Confederate flag in his room is no longer acceptable on TV because it might rot some youngster's brain (more so than usual!).

MeTV Flags Objectionable Content


Taking their lead from America's leading classic TV network, Canada's MeTv equivalent, CHCH, has recently begun airing disclaimers before a few of their retro episodes claiming questionable content in such perennially harmless family favorites "The Brady Bunch" and "Gilligan's Island". The warnings contain the following message:


“The following presentation is a product of its time. It depicts prejudices that were wrong then and remain unacceptable today. CHCH does not condone discrimination of any kind."

“Rather than ignoring past discriminatory practices, exhibiting work like this allows viewers to engage in thought or discussion that educates and promotes the importance of social justice and inclusivity. Viewer discretion is advised.”

I think this is silly and pure nonsense. These shows were a product of an earlier era and while there may be stuff on there that you would not see today (like the way Indians are portrayed, for example) they still hold up today as timeless classics that can be enjoyed by anyone of all ages and there is nothing there that should be frightening or harmful for anybody. This is simply an overreaction to the current state of gloom and doom that has invaded today's society. It's a good thing for me that we have shows like "Gilligan's Island" and "The Brady Bunch" that are on every afternoon to allow us to forget all of this.


CHCH broadcasts trigger warning before episode of "Gilligan's Island"

[LUNCH]

That's crazy, but it is not that surprising in the upside down 21st century. What's next a warning label before airing Leave it to Beaver or Andy Griffith. On a positive note at least they still air the shows. Maybe these days they almost have to have such a ridiculous disclaimer to air harmless older shows like that.

[rusty spike]

Why don't groups take action over offensive content such as commercials which jack up the volume at 150% ?

[LUNCH]

Originally Posted by rusty spike

Why don't groups take action over offensive content such as commercials which jack up the volume at 150% ?

Good point. Or what is allowed to be advertised these days.

[Charley Knox]

You would have to have a magnifying glass or microscope to find something offensive about those two shows. Stupid is as stupid does.

[TSMIV]

Originally Posted by LUNCH

That's crazy, but it is not that surprising in the upside down 21st century. What's next a warning label before airing Leave it to Beaver or Andy Griffith. On a positive note at least they still air the shows. Maybe these days they almost have to have such a ridiculous disclaimer to air harmless older shows like that.

It won't be long before those shows are deemed "unacceptable" and they won't be aired anymore. The media have become totalitarians.

[LUNCH]

Originally Posted by TSMIV

It won't be long before those shows are deemed "unacceptable" and they won't be aired anymore. The media have become totalitarians.

It would not surprise me.

[GentlemanJim]

There seems to be an insistence upon implicit endorsement,which while wrong, seems to be quite pervasive.

If you claim someone to be your friend, that must mean you agree with everything they believe.

If you associate with someone, that must mean you share the same priorities.

If you show a program on your network, that must mean that you stand behind every aspect of the content....unless you post an objection up front disowning ANY potential that someone might take offense.

It's a marriage between the victimology that has over-run our society, and opportunism.

Let's be honest, there are factions out there who have become experts at playing the victim game for personal gain. And their claims for being offended have become a hard currency.

[rusty spike]

I posted the thread on the Andy Griffith Show about Netflix's parental warning. (TAGS has since been dropped from Netflix.)

It wasn't a NR or even a G.

No, it was PG (for fear and violence).

That's how crazy the world has become.

[TSMIV]

Let's be honest, there are factions out there who have become experts at playing the victim game for personal gain. And their claims for being offended have become a hard currency.

EXACTLY!

[KatieAnn]

Better to put the "warning" and air the episode rather than eliminate the episode.

Actually the warning got me to look closer at the particular episodes to see just what the issue could possibly be. So far it's mostly the depiction of Native Americans that trigger this warning.

[GentlemanJim]

I believe that Dave Chappelle had useful insight on this

[dee2364]

Originally Posted by GentlemanJim

I believe that Dave Chappelle had useful insight on this

Like all comedians, David Chappelle is an arrogant fool who thinks being a comic makes someone some kind of wise sage and guru.

Back on topic, the reason why older shows come with disclaimers is that the younger generation are so filled with hatred that they've been deliberately exploiting older shows and movies to push Neo-Nazis, Incel and antisemitic ideology on social media and YouTube.

For example, an incident that immediately made me finally unregister at Reddit was a discussion about the movie, The Breakfast Club. This is a great movie that any high schooler can relate to regardless of race, but Alt Righters were using the fact that it was a white cast to claim as it a great "white movie."

Other examples are Incels taking clips from the Muppet Show where Miss Piggy is karate chopping Kermit and posting a flood of comments about how this proves how all women suck or "get away with murder." Or using Married with Children, again, as "proof" of why men should hate women.

The point is that nobody had to put disclaimers on old shows before because we didn't have an internet where mobs of internet trolls were using them in the worst way to recruit young people for their toxic agendas. We have to now, because kids on YouTube, Reddit, Twitter and other forms of social media are being taught to view them through a twisted lens.

[rcbrad]

I would be curious to know what material was found to be objectionable on the Brady Bunch? If anyone has come across what was considered to be this way, please share.
Thanks!

[Sal]

Originally Posted by rcbrad

I would be curious to know what material was found to be objectionable on the Brady Bunch? If anyone has come across what was considered to be this way, please share.
Thanks!

Here are the episodes where the disclaimer has appeared so far from among the ones I've seen:

The Brady Bunch - "The Un-Underground Movie"

Gilligan's Island - "Two On A Raft"

Green Acres - "The Rains Came" and "It's So Peaceful In The Country"