Trash on the boob tube

Due to the recent mentions in the news I've been thinking lately of the quality of programming on television as of late.

Last week there was an article regarding advertisers pulling out of FX's controversial Nip-Tuck drama. Toyota was the latest to withdraw their ads, which is unusual as they tend not to get involved in such political matters (according to the article). I wish that I had the link, I would post it. I will admit myself, I was quite astonished to be flipping through the channels mid day (during my unemployment :D) and caught what was essentially soft porn on basic cable. I'm definitely not a proponent of censorship, and I think one of the great foundations of this country is freedom of speech, however, that being said... as cable is a government regulated institution, right or wrong, it probably does give leverage to the FCC to impose some decency standards. In the perfect world, none should have to be imposed. I think it should be up to the private stations to adhere to some unwritten ethics on what time of the day it is appropriate to air certain content. After 10:00 pm or on subscription channels like HBO, they should be able to show whatever they damn well please.

Another alternative to silence censorship advocates would be to promote and educate the public more effectively on the use of the V-chip. We are likely reaching an age where nearly all TV's have this capability, however I would guess the actual use of this feature is sparse.

In truth, the best weapon against an erosion of values is communication with children. Honesty and realistic discussion is probably the best route to go. Sadly I question how many parents out there take the time to do this. We live in a nation where each generation has progressively become more self centered and hedonistic. The "right thing" to do in many circumstances today would likely sharply contrast with values of even just 25 years ago. Other parents are honestly, I feel, embarrassed to talk to their children about certain things that they should. I think this is directly related to a statistical trend of higher teen pregnancy in the Bible belt.

Toyota's withdrawing advertising money is an excellent example of a consumer economy working the old fashion way to utilize certain powers within their grasp. This is an ideal way to force the hand of what I feel are, irresponsible programming directors. Censorship is not the answer.

To bring up a past issue. The FCC's crack down on Howard Stern, essentially singling him out from hundreds of shock jocks across the country was wrong. It was wrong because, it was government imposed censorship. It was wrong because it was clearly politically motivated. Stern had become increasingly critical of the Bush administration, and apparently it did not go unnoticed.

To head back to the quality of television programming, anyway here is another link from the Globe on the increased amount of sexuality, specifically in television directed towards teenagers.

Study says sexual scenes have nearly doubled

Two particular portions of this article stand out to me. This first quote:

''If you are the parent of a 16-year-old and you tell them to be very careful, don't engage in sex, the message TV is giving them is that that's not relevant, we're not talking about that," Kunkel says. ''Kids can get deluded into thinking that pregnancy, AIDS, or [sexually transmitted diseases] don't happen because they rarely happen on TV."

I like this quote for a couple reasons. Now you might say "Give kids some credit". Now I would have to say in response, most kids who are 16 think that they are 30. In addition, today, myself included many people pushing 30 don't even have life figured out let alone at 16. Yet at 16 we tend to think we are brilliant. We are indignant and think we know all the answers. So if you have programming with attractive "cool" kids engaging in risky behavior with reckless abandon. If they are treating sexual behavior simply like they are going on different carnival rides at the fair... Well, lets just say people often forget that "The Zipper" often breaks down and turns your world upside down. Restraint in such matters is very important, and when the entertainment world explores almost exclusively the allure over consequences it can be problematic.

Another point made in the article, that I find questionable is "While family advocates reacted to the study by calling on Hollywood or Congress to limit the portrayals, some Boston-area teens said that television isn't influencing them, it's merely presenting an exaggerated version of real life." I put those last words in bold because I feel it demonstrates part of the problem. If you fantasize about having a life like a character on the OC, and you think that this is merely a swankier version of "real life", then I think... and perhaps I'm wrong, but I believe this could lead to sort of a shitty real life.

What part is exaggerated? The betrayl, the cheating, the promiscuity, the lavish lifestyles, the beauty of the actors and actresses, or is it all of the above? I'd be curious to hear what the average teen fan of the show thinks is "exaggerated". I'd almost place money that 8 out of 10 list the wealth and appearance as the exclusive exaggerations, and that, I feel would vindicate the type of danger such a show can impose on pliable minds of teens.

I also like this particular quote, I think it stands on its own merits: ''Sexual activity doesn't even involve love anymore. Instead, sex on TV is treated about as casually as choosing what ring tone you want on your cell phone. If that's where society is going, I think we're in for a world of hurt."

The same people who would generally criticize my views on television's sexual content influencing teenagers and adolescents tend to have a very adverse response to violence on TV. It is something I really don't get. I think you would have to be a real dim wit to watch the Terminator and let it influence you to go out and beat people up randomly. It is fantasy! And that is the problem, I feel with a lot of these teen soaps. The lines between fantasy and reality are blurred. Even porn tends to portray it self as something outside of the normal plane of reality. No one would suggest that their typically absurd plot lines... or lack there of are an "exaggeration of real life" (Not that I would advocate this to hormone overloaded teens).

Lastly, something I find perhaps even more disturbing than soap operas, the majority of reality TV. You have a show called "The Biggest Loser" which, if I need to explain what is wrong about that one.... well, quite frankly I feel bad for you. Fear factor is an excuse to watch women in sports bras shriek, and Big Brother, the Mole, Survivor and most of the others all tend to be about a couple of ugly things, gossip, and unnecessary drama. I feel shows like these incubate the mentality of behind the back bickering and creating major personal problems over things that should be passed over and forgotten. I find it to be divisive television that shows adults acting like a bunch of 15 year olds. Backstabbing, ganging up on the weakest and meekest, and excluding people who are different are rewarded behaviors in most of these shows.

Anyway I suppose I'm done spewing my horrible backwards Puritanical ethics for now. Perhaps some of you relate, or perhaps you are thinking... what did that kid's parents do to him. Either way, I hope it was somehow entertaining. :D