Parents Television Council Files FCC Complaint Against ‘The Mick’

[TMC]

http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/cul...t-against-mick

By Matt Philbin | May 3, 2017 | 11:32 AM EDT

It’s an irony the late liberal comic might appreciate. “George Carlin’s infamous comedy routine about the seven words you can’t say on television is still an unofficial guideline the FCC uses to determine whether language is in violation of Federal Indecency laws,” according to Parents Television Council President Tim Winter.

And one of those words – “tit” – appeared on the April 25 episode of Fox’s sitcom The Mick, spurring the PTC to file a formal indecency complaint with the FCC, and ask citizens to do the same.

While using the word “tit” may be an actionable violation of indecency laws, The Mick, which ended its first season May 2, has done arguably a lot worse. It is one of the more debased offerings on TV – which is saying something. The Mick revolves around irresponsible grifter Mackenzie “Mick” Murphy (Kaitlin Olson) who is forced to look after her niece and nephews after her sister is caught on federal fraud charges with her husband.

So from the outset, the show’s core is confusion, and the distinctly unlikeable characters inhabit a world without any moral center besides a set of liberal social pieties and trendy preoccupations.

[tvfan25]

It sounds like the show is pretty vulgar. But I'd rather hear the word "tit" than some of the other ones that get through the censors.

[robyrob]

I don't watch the show but I really don't understand why this Parents Television Council is even a thing anymore - obviously the show is not geared towards kids and good parents should be engaged in what their kids are watching (and doing), and these days any kid can find things 100 times worse on the internet or on cable TV in under a minute.

The idea that because a few people are offended by something then everyone should be banned from watching it is idiotic. People have the power to choose, and if you don't like something you can change the channel. While I do think that the 8pm "Family Hour" of basic network TV is not the best place for graphic sex, violence and language inappropriate for children, it is the audience and ratings that are driving the networks to make decisions - and if the people are leaving then the networks should be able to try and do what they can to gain those viewers back. Obviously if it doesn't work and they drive away more viewers than the ones they bring in, then things will change in a hurry.

[70s show watcher]

Originally Posted by robyrob

I don't watch the show but I really don't understand why this Parents Television Council is even a thing anymore - obviously the show is not geared towards kids and good parents should be engaged in what their kids are watching (and doing), and these days any kid can find things 100 times worse on the internet or on cable TV in under a minute.

The idea that because a few people are offended by something then everyone should be banned from watching it is idiotic. People have the power to choose, and if you don't like something you can change the channel. While I do think that the 8pm "Family Hour" of basic network TV is not the best place for graphic sex, violence and language inappropriate for children, it is the audience and ratings that are driving the networks to make decisions - and if the people are leaving then the networks should be able to try and do what they can to gain those viewers back. Obviously if it doesn't work and they drive away more viewers than the ones they bring in, then things will change in a hurry.

very well said

[stevea]

I agree. If parents deem that it's an inappropriate show for their children, they need to switch the channel or turn off the TV.

[Torgo]

Originally Posted by robyrob

I don't watch the show but I really don't understand why this Parents Television Council is even a thing anymore - obviously the show is not geared towards kids and good parents should be engaged in what their kids are watching (and doing), and these days any kid can find things 100 times worse on the internet or on cable TV in under a minute.

The idea that because a few people are offended by something then everyone should be banned from watching it is idiotic. People have the power to choose, and if you don't like something you can change the channel. While I do think that the 8pm "Family Hour" of basic network TV is not the best place for graphic sex, violence and language inappropriate for children, it is the audience and ratings that are driving the networks to make decisions - and if the people are leaving then the networks should be able to try and do what they can to gain those viewers back. Obviously if it doesn't work and they drive away more viewers than the ones they bring in, then things will change in a hurry.

Couldn't have said it better.

[James]

Originally Posted by robyrob

I don't watch the show but I really don't understand why this Parents Television Council is even a thing anymore - obviously the show is not geared towards kids and good parents should be engaged in what their kids are watching (and doing), and these days any kid can find things 100 times worse on the internet or on cable TV in under a minute.

The idea that because a few people are offended by something then everyone should be banned from watching it is idiotic. People have the power to choose, and if you don't like something you can change the channel. While I do think that the 8pm "Family Hour" of basic network TV is not the best place for graphic sex, violence and language inappropriate for children, it is the audience and ratings that are driving the networks to make decisions - and if the people are leaving then the networks should be able to try and do what they can to gain those viewers back. Obviously if it doesn't work and they drive away more viewers than the ones they bring in, then things will change in a hurry.

Sorry, I disagree. Producers should go back to the Hays Code. If it had still been in place in 1993 there would have been less incentive for ABC to cancel "The Wonder Years" (giving it the closure it deserved, at that!) and start "NYPD Blue."

Producers should be struck by fear when the hear the words Parents Television Council.

[JSP]

Obviously I'm not in favor of government censorship, but pretty much all the characters are unlikeable on the show. Maybe the whole point of the show is to make those of us who aren't wealthy feel a lot better about ourselves, because these people really go over the top in their irresponsibility. It's as though they all should be in prison, sadly.