Have television executives forgotten about family-values and decency?

[TMC]

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.a...57bc94b40630e#

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/De...spx?id=1590144

A media critic says he's disappointed with ABC for lowering its
standards regarding family-friendly programming.

Movieguide's publisher, Dr. Ted Baehr, finds it sad to see how the
network has slumped to doing shows like "Don't Trust the B____ in
Apartment 23" and "Good Christian Belles" (GCB). These prime-time
programs on ABC have been criticized by pro-family groups as
anti-Christian and promiscuous.

"So, we have been writing ABC, writing Robert Iger, the head of ABC (and
president and CEO of Disney) … saying look -- you have a commitment in
Disney to be family-friendly," Baehr asserts. "How in anybody's
estimation is ['Don't trust] the B' next door or 'Good Christian Bs'
family-friendly? It's not family-friendly at all."

He does, however see good news regarding these controversial shows.

"A lot of sponsors have dropped out. Unfortunately, they're still
sponsors like AT&T that have hung in there," the Movieguide publisher
notes. "And AT&T needs the family audience, or it's going to go down.
So, there are still people hanging in there, and you need to write your
sponsors."

Meanwhile, with the resignation of Disney's Rich Ross, the first
alternative lifestyle president of a major studio, Baehr is hoping for a
"breath of fresh air" at ABC's parent company.

"It was a disastrous three years," he concludes.

[*Pleasant Tomorrow*]

Haha. These same groups have been giving ABC (among others, I'm sure) crap since Three's Company. Yawn.

Of course, that was before ABC was tied to Disney. That kind of creates a problem with the whole wholesome Disney image.

[EmoJoe]

There are plenty of shows on TV that are safe for kids and families, from generally family-friendly shows like The Middle on network TV (not to mention safe reality programming like Idol, The Voice, ect) to the dozens of family/kid sitcoms Disney Channel and Nick pump out. But I don't see why EVERY show needs to be safe for kids. If adults want to enjoy a raunchy comedy like Apartment 23 after the kids are in bed, why shouldn't they be able to? Parenting isn't the job of network executives. It's the job of the parents. I find it pretty disgusting that people like this guy and the PTC feel is it their job to decide what TV we should all be watching.

[Tubehead]

i agree how about bring back tgif? that had boy meet worldperfect stranger family matters and full hhouse.i thinktheyshould focus onsome of the cartoon like family guy,amercian dad and the simpon.espaily on carton network some of their adult cartoon arae realy bad, shooot i thinkSpongeBob SquarePants got sosme dirty stuff in it i also think that parnest should makingg sure their kidsnot watching dirty shows. my momanddad watch tv show with us irember we used to watch the smiopsons when it firstgot starte then it gotten drity. shoot i turn 31this summer imnot allowto watchanythingdirty. if you wont to get tenchly i say get rideof sex and tthe city. how about my name is earl or moder n family that got gay people in it. only sitcom i usualwach is the bigbang theroy it kind of dirty too. i mostly watch the lcassc likei love lucy & thehooneymooner .

[James]

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

Parenting isn't the job of network executives. It's the job of the parents.

Yeah, but there was a time when airing stuff like you saw in Friends would have gotten you thrown in jail, if not the electric chair. It's called responsibility.

BRING BACK THE HAYS CODE!!!

[EmoJoe]

Originally Posted by James

Yeah, but there was a time when airing stuff like you saw in Friends would have gotten you thrown in jail, if not the electric chair. It's called responsibility.

BRING BACK THE HAYS CODE!!!

Well, if you're looking for an environment where ridiculous punishments are given out to people who simply are expressing their creativity, there's many oppressive dictatorships around the globe that might suit your needs.

[AKA]

Originally Posted by James

Yeah, but there was a time when airing stuff like you saw in Friends would have gotten you thrown in jail, if not the electric chair. It's called responsibility.

BRING BACK THE HAYS CODE!!!

I know you've been a member of these boards for over eleven years, yet sometimes I wonder if you, "James" (if that is your real name) are merely an elaborate hoax perpetuated by some radical in an effort to highlight the ridiculousness and hypocrisy of television and film content watchdog groups. After all, no actual human could really be so committed to puritanical ideals that they would wish hard time or death upon persons who dare exhibit something on television that isn't sanitized for the whole family... could they?

James, if you're so committed to having nothing but squeaky-clean television, why is The Wonder Years okay? There's enough "adult material" in several episodes of that show to warrant TV-14 ratings in today's world. What makes The Wonder Years exempt from your ire? I've asked you this question on several occasions, yet I don't recall you ever answering it.

[James]

Originally Posted by Brad

James, if you're so committed to having nothing but squeaky-clean television, why is The Wonder Years okay? There's enough "adult material" in several episodes of that show to warrant TV-14 ratings in today's world. What makes The Wonder Years exempt from your ire? I've asked you this question on several occasions, yet I don't recall you ever answering it.

Well, Brad, The Wonder Years on the whole was OK. I mean, compared to other stuff that came after its cancellation it's squeaky clean. I personally blame the proliferation of offensive material on the lack of availability of shows like The Wonder Years for us "99%ers." (And NO, I do NOT support the "occupy" movements at all!)

As to the episodes you think were "TV-14" rated, ISTR a few from the last two seasons after writers Neal Marlens and Carol Black left that fit the criterion. I refuse to watch those episodes, and I overlooked them, hence me making The Wonder Years the gold standard for decency. Their replacement (replacements?) was unable to hold a candle to them. I think his name was Greg Beeman (sp?).

Also, NO, I'm not some "hoax perpetuated by some radical."

[Schmoopie]

It's sad that I find the shows on the Disney Channel more enjoyable than any of the ABC shows on these days. Its nice to watch shows where the worst that could happen is that you'd get references to "gross" stuff that kids would think are funny but that aren't offensive.

[CommonTater]

I guess it all depends on what each of us considers decent. I raised my children with high morals and they are in their 30's now and have their own children.

They don't think MOST of the so called family friendly shows are actually family friendly and I agree. We have even seen newer cartoons that we don't feel children should watch. But that is our opinion for our family.

Many years ago when my children were small I had a friend who allowed her children to watch Bevis and Butthead, Southpark and a few other shows I would not allow my own to watch. She had her idea of what was appropriate for her children and I had mine.

I for one am not asking the networks to make all programming child safe BUT I do believe that during prime time they should have some shows that are 100% child safe.

It's sad to me when my granddaughter even notices things said and done on shows and knows it's not right.

[AKA]

Originally Posted by James

Well, Brad, The Wonder Years on the whole was OK. I mean, compared to other stuff that came after its cancellation it's squeaky clean. I personally blame the proliferation of offensive material on the lack of availability of shows like The Wonder Years for us "99%ers." (And NO, I do NOT support the "occupy" movements at all!)

As to the episodes you think were "TV-14" rated, ISTR a few from the last two seasons after writers Neal Marlens and Carol Black left that fit the criterion. I refuse to watch those episodes, and I overlooked them, hence me making The Wonder Years the gold standard for decency. Their replacement (replacements?) was unable to hold a candle to them. I think his name was Greg Beeman (sp?).

Also, NO, I'm not some "hoax perpetuated by some radical."

“Damn it, Kevin! How many times I tell you not to leave your bike in the driveway?”

“I asked you a question, damn it; what did you say?”

“NORCOM? What the hell is that?”

“He manages business? What the hell's that supposed to mean?”

“Damn it, Norma. Don’t tell me to relax.”

“…about the incompetent jackasses in shipping and receiving?”

“We better go. Traffic’s gonna be hell.”

“Aw, well, hell, Pete… they can just get someone else, then.”

“What the hell do you want?”

“You thought maybe it would get there by today? What the hell—?”

“You what? You went with a new carrier? Jesus, Wisansky, you didn’t clear that with me! If this screws up the damn account, we’re all gonna be—“

“What the hell is this, Arnold?”

“Well, it sure as hell better be!”

You know what those are? Of course you do: they're all quotes from just one episode of The Wonder Years: the series' third, "My Father's Office" — years before Marlens and Black left the show.

"Gold standard," indeed. Even that utterance of "Jesus" would have a very hard time flying on television today, some 24 years later. I think you're picking and choosing what you find offensive. It seems that since you like The Wonder Years so much (and why wouldn't you; it was a great show), you're remembering its content with tunnel vision. I, however, recall it having about as much adult content as most other shows on television in its time (I gave you examples of "strong language" from just one very early episode. There are tons of other instances I could find for you if you'd like).

[EmoJoe]

Originally Posted by CommonTater

I guess it all depends on what each of us considers decent. I raised my children with high morals and they are in their 30's now and have their own children.

They don't think MOST of the so called family friendly shows are actually family friendly and I agree. We have even seen newer cartoons that we don't feel children should watch. But that is our opinion for our family.

Many years ago when my children were small I had a friend who allowed her children to watch Bevis and Butthead, Southpark and a few other shows I would not allow my own to watch. She had her idea of what was appropriate for her children and I had mine.

I for one am not asking the networks to make all programming child safe BUT I do believe that during prime time they should have some shows that are 100% child safe.

It's sad to me when my granddaughter even notices things said and done on shows and knows it's not right.

I think we've entered a time where prime time TV just isn't really for kids anymore. When I was a kid I couldn't care less about what was happening on primetime TV because I stuck to Nick and Cartoon Network. I could understand the need for family-friendly programming when the broadcast networks were the only game in town but now that we have channels specifically designed for children, I don't see the need. Young kids likely aren't going to be interested in most primetime TV shows, they deal with content that they don't understand and isn't meant for them, so why should networks worry about whether or not the content is "safe" for them? I agree there's no harm in having some family-friendly shows but I really don't see what the problem is with a show like The Middle, what do you find objectable in that show?

[benjamoon]

Originally Posted by Brad

“Damn it, Kevin! How many times I tell you not to leave your bike in the driveway?”

“I asked you a question, damn it; what did you say?”

“NORCOM? What the hell is that?”

“He manages business? What the hell's that supposed to mean?”

“Damn it, Norma. Don’t tell me to relax.”

“…about the incompetent jackasses in shipping and receiving?”

“We better go. Traffic’s gonna be hell.”

“Aw, well, hell, Pete… they can just get someone else, then.”

“What the hell do you want?”

“You thought maybe it would get there by today? What the hell—?”

“You what? You went with a new carrier? Jesus, Wisansky, you didn’t clear that with me! If this screws up the damn account, we’re all gonna be—“

“What the hell is this, Arnold?”

“Well, it sure as hell better be!”

You know what those are? Of course you do: they're all quotes from just one episode of The Wonder Years: the series' third, "My Father's Office" — years before Marlens and Black left the show.

"Gold standard," indeed. Even that utterance of "Jesus" would have a very hard time flying on television today, some 24 years later. I think you're picking and choosing what you find offensive. It seems that since you like The Wonder Years so much (and why wouldn't you; it was a great show), you're remembering its content with tunnel vision. I, however, recall it having about as much adult content as most other shows on television in its time (I gave you examples of "strong language" from just one very early episode. There are tons of other instances I could find for you if you'd like).

Very well said... there's a lot of hypocrisy when it comes to complaining about family values (and seriously, how long has that argument been going on about TV!!)

People seem to be willing to overlook so-called "offensive" material in shows that they enjoy but they take other shows to task for it. People need to get over this kind of stuff. If you don't approve then don't watch it and don't have your kids watch it. Simple as that.

[70s show watcher]

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

I think we've entered a time where prime time TV just isn't really for kids anymore. When I was a kid I couldn't care less about what was happening on primetime TV because I stuck to Nick and Cartoon Network. I could understand the need for family-friendly programming when the broadcast networks were the only game in town but now that we have channels specifically designed for children, I don't see the need. Young kids likely aren't going to be interested in most primetime TV shows, they deal with content that they don't understand and isn't meant for them, so why should networks worry about whether or not the content is "safe" for them? I agree there's no harm in having some family-friendly shows but I really don't see what the problem is with a show like The Middle, what do you find objectable in that show?

i agree i never have been a patty heation fan but even i like yhe eps that i have seen of the middle i see no harm in kids watching it

[noveel]

The family hour wouldn't work today. The family hour worked when families only had 1 TV and 3 or 4 channels.