Should viewers ever be offended by what they hear in a TV sitcom? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 03-22-2004, 10:10 AM

I don't think no one should be offended by what is seen or heard in a sitcom because it's connected to entertainment and the purpose of the show is to make us laugh, not MAD. Thoughts?

ClassicComedyFan2 · 03-22-2004, 10:25 AM

I disagree. There should be limits--by your logic, hardcore pornography could be shown in the family hour and excused by a joke or the purpose of "Entertainment"

Shows like "Friends," "Will & Grace," and "Coupling" are push the limits of broadcast entertainment too far and are easily bested, IMO, by more creative and family-friendly fare (such as "Star Trek," "Pokemon," "Green Acres," "Frasier," "Laverne & Shirley," "Andy Griffith Show," etc.). Its worse that Friends and now Will & Grace air in the family hour.

Thankfully, there seems to be a huge kick-start in the fight against indecency recently!

Nanny Fine · 03-22-2004, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ClassicComedyFan2
I disagree. There should be limits--by your logic, hardcore pornography could be shown in the family hour and excused by a joke or the purpose of "Entertainment"

Shows like "Friends," "Will & Grace," and "Coupling" are push the limits of broadcast entertainment too far and are easily bested, IMO, by more creative and family-friendly fare (such as "Star Trek," "Pokemon," "Green Acres," "Frasier," "Laverne & Shirley," "Andy Griffith Show," etc.). Its worse that Friends and now Will & Grace air in the family hour.

Thankfully, there seems to be a huge kick-start in the fight against indecency recently!

Come on, there a big difference between hard core porn and FRIENDS/Will & Grace. Yes they are adult humor and they push the envelope but they are FUNNY (and I Realize we all have different standards of funny so you may think it's not funny but I do and that's my right). Standards are different now on TV than they were 20 years ago. How many years ago was it that Lucy and Ricky couldn't even be shown sharing a bed together?

My 9 year old watches FRIENDS. Most of it goes over her head. She thinks they are funny, she laughs at stuff she understands and the other stuff she doesnt' even know what they are talking about. This same child turns around and watches MR. Ed, Green Acres, Laverne & Shirley, etc with me.

If you think it's too crass or rude, just avoid it. I'm sick that FRIENDS is coming to an end and Thursday nights won't be the same without it.

Brian · 03-22-2004, 02:23 PM

In Solomon's thread, "Would you still buy TV shows on DVD if the eps were NOT UNCUT?", I mentioned that if some episodes were edited for the sole reason that they contained stuff that might offend people like minorities, then I would still buy it. If a show from the 70s used words like the "N" word, then it would probably offend someone who is African-American. I'm not African-American, in case you are wondering.

Sterling Holobyte · 03-22-2004, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nanny Fine
Come on, there a big difference between hard core porn and FRIENDS/Will & Grace.

Not much of one, really. The only difference is that they don't show the hardcore sex, but the implication is there.
Ok, maybe the acting is a little better also, but that is about it. But perhaps if the actors on Friends and Will&Grace would take some acting lessons from the porno actors, they could always get better!

barwars · 03-22-2004, 04:23 PM

Like Brian said.... words like the "N" word shouldnt be used.

But when used right.... racism can be funny.
Take a show like All in the Family, The Jeffersons, or even the currently airing -- Chappelle's Show.... they all have racist remarks.... but it shouldnt offend anyone.

Its like with Speedy Gonzalous....
he's forbidden to be seen on Cartoon Network because he's considered a "racial profile" of all Mexicans.
But Speedy was always the FASTEST.... he was the winner.
And as far as I know and have heard.... Mexicans HATE the fact that they wont show him.

Racism isnt right.
But when used in the right way.... it certainly is funny!
I mean.... people are black.
people are white.
nothing can change that.... just like height and age....
might as well make fun of it.
(as long as its not descrimanotary.... there's a difference)

benjamoon · 03-22-2004, 04:28 PM

It is a CHOICE to watch adult-themed sitcoms so I don't think people should be offended. I understand why people were upset about the halftime show because the Superbowl is family viewing and people didn't know it was coming but you know what to expect when you watch "Friends" or something so I don't think people should be offended

TVFactFan · 03-22-2004, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars88
Like Brian said.... words like the "N" word shouldnt be used.

But when used right.... racism can be funny.
Take a show like All in the Family, The Jeffersons, or even the currently airing -- Chappelle's Show.... they all have racist remarks.... but it shouldnt offend anyone.

Its like with Speedy Gonzalous....
he's forbidden to be seen on Cartoon Network because he's considered a "racial profile" of all Mexicans.
But Speedy was always the FASTEST.... he was the winner.
And as far as I know and have heard.... Mexicans HATE the fact that they wont show him.

Racism isnt right.
But when used in the right way.... it certainly is funny!
I mean.... people are black.
people are white.
nothing can change that.... just like height and age....
might as well make fun of it.
(as long as its not descrimanotary.... there's a difference)

The N-word or H-word should not be CUT out of episodes of the Jeffersons Good Times, Sanford and Son and All in the Family because it's what the MADE those shows CLASSICS. TBS alwways cut those scenes OUT but thankfully UPN didn't.

barwars · 03-22-2004, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
The N-word or H-word should not be CUT out of episodes of the Jeffersons Good Times, Sanford and Son and All in the Family because it's what the MADE those shows CLASSICS. TBS alwways cut those scenes OUT but thankfully UPN didn't.

H-word??
you mean Hell??

I didnt say that the word should be edited out.... if it was alright the first time.... its certainly alright now.

But I just think CURRENT shows shouldnt use the N-word.... but besides that.... anything goes IMO.

barwars · 03-22-2004, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ClassicComedyFan2
Shows like "Friends," "Will & Grace," and "Coupling" are push the limits of broadcast entertainment too far and are easily bested, IMO, by more creative and family-friendly fare (such as "Star Trek," "Pokemon," "Green Acres," "Frasier," "Laverne & Shirley," "Andy Griffith Show," etc.). Its worse that Friends and now Will & Grace air in the family hour.

Pokemon is definately NOT family-friendly.
But I agree with everything else.
Pokemon appeals to young children, and anime fans.
None of which are in my family.... so its not family-fare.

TVFactFan · 03-22-2004, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars88
H-word??
you mean Hell??

I didnt say that the word should be edited out.... if it was alright the first time.... its certainly alright now.

But I just think CURRENT shows shouldnt use the N-word.... but besides that.... anything goes IMO.

HONKY. That what George would CAll Archie, and Tom Willis

barwars · 03-22-2004, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
HONKY. That what George would CAll Archie, and Tom Willis

haha.... id give anything for Sherman Helmsley to do "the walk".... come in my face and shout "HONKY".... that would be AWESOME.

TVFactFan · 03-22-2004, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars88
haha.... id give anything for Sherman Helmsley to do "the walk".... come in my face and shout "HONKY".... that would be AWESOME.

George didn't say Honky no more in the 80's

lockdown06 · 03-22-2004, 10:47 PM

there is no time when someone should be offended by tv...if u are offended by Tv just turn it off and if you can't turn it off they have one their job.

as in the chapelle show. i love his racial jokes. especially the white ones ( i am white). u always hear the same black joks and how much fun can chicken and cadillacs be after 30 years. but the way chapelle pokes fun at all races and nothing is held back is awesome and i love it.

it offends me that shows like Will & Grace are on during pimetime TV when little kids are subject to the homosexual lifestyle. If someone becomes gay that is fine. But to promote it on primetime TV is wrong. Therefore I do not watch it and rarely watch the WB.

TVFactFan · 03-22-2004, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lockdown06
there is no time when someone should be offended by tv...if u are offended by Tv just turn it off and if you can't turn it off they have one their job.

as in the chapelle show. i love his racial jokes. especially the white ones ( i am white). u always hear the same black joks and how much fun can chicken and cadillacs be after 30 years. but the way chapelle pokes fun at all races and nothing is held back is awesome and i love it.

it offends me that shows like Will & Grace are on during pimetime TV when little kids are subject to the homosexual lifestyle. If someone becomes gay that is fine. But to promote it on primetime TV is wrong. Therefore I do not watch it and rarely watch the WB.

Yeah Will ad Grace belongs on Bravo

03-22-2004, 10:10 AM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,101	Should viewers ever be offended by what they hear in a TV sitcom? I don't think no one should be offended by what is seen or heard in a sitcom because it's connected to entertainment and the purpose of the show is to make us laugh, not MAD. Thoughts?

03-22-2004, 10:25 AM	#2
ClassicComedyFan2 Coolicious! Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 28, 2001 Location: AL, United States, Alpha Quadrant Posts: 698	I disagree. There should be limits--by your logic, hardcore pornography could be shown in the family hour and excused by a joke or the purpose of "Entertainment" Shows like "Friends," "Will & Grace," and "Coupling" are push the limits of broadcast entertainment too far and are easily bested, IMO, by more creative and family-friendly fare (such as "Star Trek," "Pokemon," "Green Acres," "Frasier," "Laverne & Shirley," "Andy Griffith Show," etc.). Its worse that Friends and now Will & Grace air in the family hour. Thankfully, there seems to be a huge kick-start in the fight against indecency recently!
	__________________ The world always looks brighter from behind a smile. ~Author Unknown Optimism is the foundation of courage. ~Nicholas Murray Butler Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are. ~Author Unknown It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. ~ John Cassis ~

03-22-2004, 04:28 PM	#7
benjamoon Bewitched Senior Member Join Date: Jun 15, 2000 Location: New York Posts: 1,450	It is a CHOICE to watch adult-themed sitcoms so I don't think people should be offended. I understand why people were upset about the halftime show because the Superbowl is family viewing and people didn't know it was coming but you know what to expect when you watch "Friends" or something so I don't think people should be offended
	__________________ My Blog: http://benjamonsterstv.blogspot.com/ My Site: peaktvdatabase.weebly.com My favorite TV shows: Bewitched, I Love Lucy, American Dreams, Mary Tyler Moore, The Office, Happy Days, The West Wing, Modern Family, Friday Night Lights, Friends, Mad Men, Parks and Recreation, and Parenthood

03-22-2004, 10:47 PM	#14
lockdown06 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 18, 2004 Location: ohio Posts: 709	there is no time when someone should be offended by tv...if u are offended by Tv just turn it off and if you can't turn it off they have one their job. as in the chapelle show. i love his racial jokes. especially the white ones ( i am white). u always hear the same black joks and how much fun can chicken and cadillacs be after 30 years. but the way chapelle pokes fun at all races and nothing is held back is awesome and i love it. it offends me that shows like Will & Grace are on during pimetime TV when little kids are subject to the homosexual lifestyle. If someone becomes gay that is fine. But to promote it on primetime TV is wrong. Therefore I do not watch it and rarely watch the WB.
	__________________ "Life's Tough Get a Helmet"

03-22-2004, 02:23 PM	#4
Brian Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jun 23, 2001 Posts: 20,451	In Solomon's thread, "Would you still buy TV shows on DVD if the eps were NOT UNCUT?", I mentioned that if some episodes were edited for the sole reason that they contained stuff that might offend people like minorities, then I would still buy it. If a show from the 70s used words like the "N" word, then it would probably offend someone who is African-American. I'm not African-American, in case you are wondering.

03-22-2004, 04:23 PM	#6
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Like Brian said.... words like the "N" word shouldnt be used. But when used right.... racism can be funny. Take a show like All in the Family, The Jeffersons, or even the currently airing -- Chappelle's Show.... they all have racist remarks.... but it shouldnt offend anyone. Its like with Speedy Gonzalous.... he's forbidden to be seen on Cartoon Network because he's considered a "racial profile" of all Mexicans. But Speedy was always the FASTEST.... he was the winner. And as far as I know and have heard.... Mexicans HATE the fact that they wont show him. Racism isnt right. But when used in the right way.... it certainly is funny! I mean.... people are black. people are white. nothing can change that.... just like height and age.... might as well make fun of it. (as long as its not descrimanotary.... there's a difference)