Parents TV Council calls on CBS to stop "Dexter"

[Mr. Television]

http://www.time-blog.com/tuned_in/20..._and_dvrs.html

LOS ANGELES (January 30, 2008) – The Parents Television Council™ called on CBS to cancel its plans to air Dexter, a graphically violent show about a “hero” who is a serial killer, that has aired on premium cable network Showtime for two seasons and is scheduled to begin airing on broadcast network CBS on Sunday, February 17.
“We are formally asking CBS to cancel its plan to air the first season of Dexter on its television network. This show is not suitable for airing on broadcast television; it should remain on a premium subscription cable network. The biggest problem with the series is something that no amount of editing can get around: the series compels viewers to empathize with a serial killer, to root for him to prevail, to hope he doesn’t get discovered. Dexter introduces audiences to the depths of depravity and indifference as it chronicles the main character’s troubled quest for vigilante justice by celebrating graphic, premeditated murder,” said PTC President Tim Winter.

[Dean Winchester]

well, I am sure Dexter is cleaned up a bit for CBS. Personally, I think the PTC are very one-track minded and want everyone to share their "moral values". The truth is, Dexter is far more complex than they want to wrap their minds around. Dexter was born a killer and had those traits ingrained in him, but with his adoptive father's aid, he used those urges in for "good" in a sort of way, by "taking out the trash" in a better word. I think Michael C. Hall is phenomenal in the role (and it shows how versatile an actor he is being able to jump from Six Feet Under to Dexter in a years time and succeed at playing two polar opposite characters), and if you can edit the show enough without stripping the show of it's dignity, then I see nothing wrong with trying to expose it to a larger audience, it's already Showtime's #1 show and Hall has been nominated for awards for his portrayal.

Granted, we're talking a group of people who think Hannah Montana likely has objectionable content, but I think people who are of age (it's not a show for kids, but neither is CSI) will find a lot to enjoy. I think the whole question of morality on the show is a great strength of the show. Are we supposed to root for Dexter using his uncontrollable urge to kill by killing bad guys, or should we loathe him, and why do we root for him and want him to get away with what he does? It's far more complex and asks questions that aren't suitable for children, nor should it be. It asks if someone is born to be a killer or if it's something they become. I think it's brilliant and can't wait for the third season to start.

I haven't seen the CBS airings, but if they've been able to take the violence out of the show to the point it can pass FCC standards, what's wrong with having it on? PTC thinks adults aren't supposed to have entertainment because everything needs to be Disneyfied. If you're a good parent, you know what is and isn't appropriate for your child to watch.

[Janice]

^ It's not scheduled to air on CBS until mid-February. From our PM discussions, John, I am very intrigued by Dexter. Netflix has both Seasons 1 & 2 available. If CBS is going to sanitize it so it's squeaky clean, I'd rather see the unedited version from Netflix. Besides, I don't feel like waiting a week between shows. We'll blast through a Season in days. That's what we did with Lost.

I haven't seen the show, but if it's too violent for Network tv, then I can see their point. Is it an extremely violent show, John? Since it was created for Showtime, I'm sure it has some wild scenes. It appears though, that the PTC's issue is with the premise of the show, not the actual content. That's ridiculous. Vigilantism has been shown on tv for years now.

In any case, this is must-see-tv for me. I fell in love with Michael C. Hall on Six Feet Under. To say he's talented doesn't do him justice. He has the most expressive eyes and face. He can easily make one laugh, cry and everything in between. It's quite a commitment watching it from Netflix, so I have to find when the time is right. Actually, with football season ending, and baseball season two month's away, this is as good time as any. Are there any other well-known names on the show? I'm very excited about this. Please tell me Dexter is his last name, lol.

Off topic, but related, have you watched Peter Kraus (Nate, SFU) on, Dirty Sexy Money? I hear he's fantastic. Rachel Griffiths found a home on Brothers & Sisters. I keep waiting to see Lauren Ambrose aka Claire, land on a hit show or movie. Same for Matthew St. Patrick aka Keith, and Freddy Rodriguez aka Federico. I do see Jeremy Sisto (Brenda's crazy brother Billy, lol) in movies. Six Feet Under was a showcase of outstanding talent, and I'm glad it propelled the majority of the actors into fame. Admittedly, I don't watch much Network TV, so they could all be on hit shows for all I know, lol. Thanks for recommending Dexter. It certainly sounds like my kind of show.

[Dean Winchester]

Originally Posted by Janice

^ It's not scheduled to air on CBS until mid-February. From our PM discussions, John, I am very intrigued by Dexter. Netflix has both Seasons 1 & 2 available. If CBS is going to sanitize it so it's squeaky clean, I'd rather see the unedited version from Netflix. Besides, I don't feel like waiting a week between shows. We'll blast through a Season in days. That's what we did with Lost.

I haven't seen the show, but if it's too violent for Network tv, then I can see their point. Is it an extremely violent show, John? Since it was created for Showtime, I'm sure it has some wild scenes. It appears though, that the PTC's issue is with the premise of the show, not the actual content. That's ridiculous. Vigilantism has been shown on tv for years now.

In any case, this is must-see-tv for me. I fell in love with Michael C. Hall on Six Feet Under. To say he's talented doesn't do him justice. He has the most expressive eyes and face. He can easily make one laugh, cry and everything in between. It's quite a commitment watching it from Netflix, so I have to find when the time is right. Actually, with football season ending, and baseball season two month's away, this is as good time as any. Are there any other well-known names on the show? I'm very excited about this. Please tell me Dexter is his last name, lol.

Off topic, but related, have you watched Peter Kraus (Nate, SFU) on, Dirty Sexy Money? I hear he's fantastic. Rachel Griffiths found a home on Brothers & Sisters. I keep waiting to see Lauren Ambrose aka Claire, land on a hit show or movie. Same for Matthew St. Patrick aka Keith, and Freddy Rodriguez aka Federico. I do see Jeremy Sisto (Brenda's crazy brother Billy, lol) in movies. Six Feet Under was a showcase of outstanding talent, and I'm glad it propelled the majority of the actors into fame. Admittedly, I don't watch much Network TV, so they could all be on hit shows for all I know, lol. Thanks for recommending Dexter. It certainly sounds like my kind of show.

I am sure the CBS Dexter will be unrecognizable to the Showtime versions, especially since the episodes usually run 55 minutes or so, so there'll be at least 10-12 minutes edited for CBS. I am sure the murder scenes are going to be sanitized since you see Dexter in action.

The only other well-known actor on the shows name is a blank to me right now, but he was Richard on Sex And The City (the boyfriend Samantha had that she fell in love with but still slept around) and has been in a lot of other things, he plays Dex's adoptive father who was a former cop that taught Dexter to control his killing urges and to kill bad guys, but his character is dead by the time the first episode began so it's all flashbacks with him. His girlfriend on the show is played by Julie Benz, who is known to Buffy/Angel fans for the role of Darla, but she's not a vampire in this, lol. Dexter is his first name, rofl.

Freddy Rodriguez is currently on Ugly Betty as a potential love interest for Betty, he did good in Grindhouse: Planet Terror last year as well.

[Mikado]

That's sick, I wont be watching, I've always thought that "Murder as entertainment" was immoral to begin with, and this is taking that to the max!
(It's no wonder that some people today think taking a life, over an accidental bump in a mall, is perfectly acceptable/logical these days!)
Now, don't get me wrong, generally , i'm against things like censorship but, there ARE limits!

[Dean Winchester]

^ why don't you give the show a chance instead of condemning something you haven't even seen a frame of as "immoral filth"? The Parents Television Counsil have always tried to censor anything that a three year old can't watch and try to tell adults we're supposed to watch shows like Drake And Josh and Hannah Montana and don't deserve things we can watch but kids can't. If the PTC had their way, a group of single 30 year olds would be having "Zach and Cody parties" (even tho that sounds really creepy and pedophiliac) instead of Grey's Anatomy or Desperate Housewives parties when a new episode airs. They think everyone should suffer through bad kiddie television because there are a few bad parents out there who never heard of a v-chip or moniter what their child watches.

Dexter is one of the three or four best shows on television at the moment IMO, and it's not a show about immorality, the show is all about questioning morality!!!!

Anyways, The Sopranos is probably the best reviewed/received show from the past 20 years and that show glorifies the mafia.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by Mikado

That's sick, I wont be watching, I've always thought that "Murder as entertainment" was immoral to begin with, and this is taking that to the max!
(It's no wonder that some people today think taking a life, over an accidental bump in a mall, is perfectly acceptable/logical these days!)
Now, don't get me wrong, generally , i'm against things like censorship but, there ARE limits!

Against censorship, until you disagree with what's being shown. Murder is shown in movies and tv all the time. if it's not your cup of tea, don't watch it. Watching something about murder, mafia, or anything doesn't mean a person condones it. I watch, HBO's, Big Love, and I'm not on board with polygamy. You'd have to stick with G-Rated movies, if you can't handle murder plots or whatever else offends you.

[Dean Winchester]

Originally Posted by Janice

Against censorship, until you disagree with what's being shown. Murder is shown in movies and tv all the time. if it's not your cup of tea, don't watch it. Watching something about murder, mafia, or anything doesn't mean a person condones it. I watch, HBO's, Big Love, and I'm not on board with polygamy. You'd have to stick with G-Rated movies, if you can't handle murder plots or whatever else offends you.

I agree. It's not fair for someone who hasn't seen even a still frame from Dexter to condemn it for immorality, when I think it's one of the most morality-minded series on television at the moment because of what questions it asks and makes you wonder which side you should be on it and why you are rooting for Dexter to get away with murder.

I do believe there are a lot of shows on TV that are just plain filth and scandalous, but Dexter is a complex study of the mind of a killer trying to justify what he does as right.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by Dean Winchester

Dexter is one of the three or four best shows on television at the moment IMO, and it's not a show about immorality, the show is all about questioning morality!!!!

Anyways, The Sopranos is probably the best reviewed/received show from the past 20 years and that show glorifies the mafia.

I don't agree with that. The Sopranos depicts what a dark and dangerous life those in the Mafia lead. What it does do is it humanizes the characters. So, we see Tony worrying about his kids or another thug crying over his mother's death. I don't think anyone's ever watched The Sopranos and thought, now there's a life I want to lead. They're killing each other off all the time.

I ordered the first disc of Season 1 of Dexter. I'm really hoping that I get it on Saturday. It has four episodes. Can't wait!

[Janice]

John, who's that hunka hunka burning love in your avatar?

[Dean Winchester]

Originally Posted by Janice

I ordered the first disc of Season 1 of Dexter. I'm really hoping that I get it on Saturday. It has four episodes. Can't wait!

you will be addicted, each season has a central arc and as soon as you finish episode 4, you'll be anxious to see what's next

When you watch it, let us know what you think, I think if you like Hall and aren't offended by the subject matter, you'll love it

[Dean Winchester]

Originally Posted by Janice

John, who's that hunka hunka burning love in your avatar?

it's Nick Zano. He used to be an MTV personality several years ago and turned into an actor, probably best known as Vince on "What I Like About You" and is going to be in "Joyride II" soon. He's been one of my fave guys for years

[Mikado]

UMMMM, I never used the term "immoral filth" (Kindly do not put words in my mouth), secondly, I DO NOT watch these shows , as I said, I think the idea that killing someone for an hour's entertainment is wrong and it influences the way society reacts to crime, by desensitizing people. The idea that people should empathise with a serial killer is disgusting, and i needent watch the show to feel that way.

[Dean Winchester]

Dexter isn't a serial killer per se though. He was born with the urge to kill, and his adopted father picked up on that as a child, so he taught Dexter to only kill "bad people". The people who you see Dexter murder are pedophiles, rapists and the sort who got away with their crimes

[Mikado]

he taught Dexter to only kill "bad people". The people who you see Dexter murder are pedophiles, rapists and the sort who got away with their crimes

So the premise of the show is "its ok to kill, cause two wrongs make a right"? Perfect example of what's wrong with Hollywood and it's amazing ability to show the cesspool that society is becoming.
Anyway, you're welcome to your own opinion, and this is mine.