Which Laws Should be Abolished?

Off Topic Politics & World Issues
241

Professor:

I’m trying to figure out if you are just selfish, or maybe just a bit slow to catch on. I honestly can’t tell.

Why should we (famililies) have to be the ones to turn off the television during prime time viewing hours? Why can’t you be the one to turn off the television during prime time viewing hours?

Prime time was always restricted for family programs until recently. Everytime someone points that out to you (and I have done it with facts, polls, examples etc.) you claim that parents are either stupid or lazy. Your latest tirade accuses parents of wanting the TV to baby sit.

We don’t “want them to be in front of the TV so much” as you claim in your latest basless rant. We want to view TV programs during prime time that are not adult oriented! Can you understand that?

Instead of posting back that parents are lazy and stupid, why don’t you offer an alternative suggestion as I have done.

Keep the mature themed programs on, but push them back to a later hour. While my suggestion shows empathy for the other side of the debate, your responses are callous and counter productive. They also (as of late) make no sense…then again you are a liberal…oh well.

242

maloneted:

First of all there are various definitions for “prime time” viewing. Traditionally I have always thought of 7pm and 9pm is prime time. Here is an exerpt written by Mitchell E. Shapiro on that very topic:

“Prime time is that portion of the evening when the American audience levels for television viewing are at their highest. In the Eastern and Pacific time zones, prime time is 7:00 - 11:00 p.m., in the Central and Mountain time zones prime time is 6:00 - 10:00 p.m… The 9:00 p.m. hour (Eastern and Pacific) and the 8:00 p.m. hour (Central and Mountain) have the highest HUT (homes using television) level.”

The link:
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/P/htmlP/primetime/primetime.htm

To directly answer your question: “Seriously, what is so horrible that is being shown in 7-8 pm time slot?”

“In a sample of programming from the 2001-2002 TV season, sexual content appeared in 64% of all TV programs. Those programs with sexually related material had an average of 4.4 scenes per hour. Talk of sex is more frequent (61%) vs. overt portrayals (32%). 1 out of every 7 programs includes a portrayal of sexual intercourse.”

Granted this may not all be happening between 7pm and 8pm. However, that is not traditionally the total prime time viewing period as previously stated.

243

mertdawg:

You would be wrong in your assumption:

"Children spend more time watching television than in any other activity except sleep. - Huston and Wright, University of Kansas. “Television and Socialization of Young Children.”

“Average time kids spend watching TV each day: 4 Hours.”

244

[quote]ZEB wrote:

“In a sample of programming from the 2001-2002 TV season, sexual content appeared in 64% of all TV programs. Those programs with sexually related material had an average of 4.4 scenes per hour. Talk of sex is more frequent (61%) vs. overt portrayals (32%). 1 out of every 7 programs includes a portrayal of sexual intercourse.”

If you think that the above is suitable prime time viewing for young children, you have a real problem!

When are these programs on?Specificaly, what programs are these?
Come on man, you can’t just qoute a statistic like that without some info that attatches it to your arguement. If this is an analysis of the shows that are on in the timeslots that you take issue with, you have a valid point, but if it is an analysis of all shows then it can detract from your point.Such as, 36% of the programming does not contain sexual content.This is the conclusion that can be drawn from the 64% stat. A 2 hour programming window is only 8.3% of the total of 24 hours.that is a disproportional amount of non sexual or violent progrmming=36%, to a window that only occupies 8.3% of the available time.
See, we can have fun with numbers all day.But what are the kids doing while we screw with methodology? Making bombs and watching porn.

245

[quote]ToShinDo wrote:
Is the $500,000 fine to high for Titigate? Maybe so, but I look at it this way. If you speed down the road 50 times and never get a ticket, don’t complain if you get nailed with a big fine on your 51st attempt!

Why don’t we make it a $10,000,000 fine then? And have the same for speeding, and jaywalking, and turning right on red. Then no one would commit crimes, right? The punishment should fit the crime. I could let four elderly care patients wander outside in the winter and have them die from hypothermia and be fined less than half than if I had said “shit” on TV.

There is so much sewage being pumped into the minds of young children by Television that I’m not going to lose any sleep over the fact that they got nailed with a big fine. Besides, according to the professor major corporations have plenty of money and need to get rid of some it. Half a million bucks is chump change to those guys…right professor?

The fines apply to individuals as well, not just the networks.
[/quote]

I agree, the punishment should fit the crime! When you have a sleaze like Janet Jackson on TV waving her flabby boob in front of children then she should do some community time helping children. No wait you can’t trust a “Jackson” around children…Okay, that was just her brother. And he is innocent until proven guilty!

For now he’s just a weird guy with a funny face who likes to “play” with young boys. We have to be fair. :slight_smile:

(Okay, I wandered off topic…but I started the dang thread so I figure I can higjack it)

246

[quote]Professor X wrote:
malonetd wrote:
Seriously, what is so horrible that is being shown in 7-8 pm time slot?

I would like to know this as well. Is there some Jenna Jamison special that I didn’t know about?[/quote]

You are sounding more and more out of touch. If something is not X rated does that mean it’s appropriate for children? OOOOKAY…

247

Zeb, a simple question was asked of you. What programs are on at this time that are filled with so much sexual influence that you can’t avoid it?

248

[quote]ZEB wrote:

Instead of posting back that parents are lazy and stupid, why don’t you offer an alternative suggestion as I have done.
[/quote]

I gave you alternatives. I even wrote about many shows that would be great for kids and gave you the premise surrounding them. Others then showed you how to block your tv from things you don’t want your kids to see. What else do you want?

249

[quote]Professor X wrote:
Also, was this one of those “non insults” that you all don’t throw out but complain about when they come your way? I just want to know. Spoiled? Anything I have I worked for. That is coming from having nothing to even move in a moving van two years ago. If that is spoiled than I might as well be royalty.[/quote]

With you incessant whining about your rights, your rights, your rights - with no consideration for the rights of kids…Well if you walk like a duck and quack like a duck. I hardly consider what I wrote an insult. and please spare me the ‘I grew up the son of a poor sharecropper’ speech.

[quote]I don’t know if you or others have noticed yet, but others with children seem to be agreeing with me. Why is that?
[/quote]

I don’t debate issues based on who I have agreeing with me. I feel I am right and you are wrong. I happen to agree with most of what Mufasa said as well - does that mean I’m on your side? Hardly.

Thanks for your time, King Prof.

250

You can also try P.B.S. They have good family oriented programming. But right after that, they run shows about being gay.So you have to be carefull about when they come on.You have to monitor what the kids are doing.

Looks like the stuff about changing your own behavior instead of someone elses went right out the window.

So why is prime time littered with sex? Because it sells.And if you watch, you are buying it.The stations determine how much they charge for different commercial timeslots by number of viewers.So if you don’t want to contribute to their calculations, you have to turn it off. It’s that simple.

Back on topic- Why does the government govern? Because we want them to. These last few posts are a good example of someone who doesn’t want to govern himself, but wants to govern everyone else.It’s not that easy.
“there uoght to be a law…”

251

[quote]Professor X wrote:
rainjack wrote:
Oh - that’s right, you are a spoiled 20-something who has all the answers. Try having a kid before you become an expert. And yes - you do have to have one before you can develop a frame of reference from which to speak. Because as it stands right now, you are in left field with your head firmly wedged between your ass cheeks on this subject. But you probably knew at least 3 days ago that I was going to say that.

Also, was this one of those “non insults” that you all don’t throw out but complain about when they come your way? I just want to know. Spoiled? Anything I have I worked for. That is coming from having nothing to even move in a moving van two years ago. If that is spoiled than I might as well be royalty.

I don’t know if you or others have noticed yet, but others with children seem to be agreeing with me. Why is that?
[/quote]

Professor:

No…actually “others with children” agree with me!

“In a recent national survey conducted by Nielsen (4/29/04), 78% of American families who had recently been part of the Nielsen ‘People Meter’ panel wanted more shows 'without profanity or swear words.”

“In a national opinion poll conducted for Common Sense Media (“New Attempt to Monitor Media Content,” NY Times, 5/21/03), 64% of parents with at least one child between the ages of 2 and 17 believed media products in general were inappropriate for their families. Only one in five parents ‘fully trusted’ the industry-controlled rating systems.”

“In a national survey by Public Agenda (“Parents feel they?re failing to teach values,” USA TODAY, 10/30/02), 'about 90% [of parents] say TV programs are getting worse every year because of bad language and adult themes in shows that air from 8 to 10 p.m.” (prime time)

Forgive me but it seems that you are posting just to read your own posts. You have not presented one cogent argument in favor of your premise.

When I post facts you simply disregard them. I would like you to respond to the above polls. It’s time for you to stop doing an end run around the facts which the majority of parents agree on!

I will wait for your resonse to the above.

Thank you :slight_smile:

Your Friend

Zeb

252

[quote]rainjack wrote:
With you incessant whining about your rights, your rights, your rights - with no consideration for the rights of kids…Well if you walk like a duck and quack like a duck. [/quote]

Where have I written that I have no consideration for kids? I wrote that is the parent’s responsibility to monitor what they watch. That doesn’t mean I don’t care for kids. I am sure I have volunteered at more elementary schools and kids’ functions than you ever have. I just did one last week. You are truly reaching when you equate a desire for parents to monitor their kids and their own homes with lack of caring for children. They’re your kids. You teach them, watch them, and mold them…not tv. I can’t remember a time when late night tv was just for kids. When was this? What year did “kid night” occur between 7-9 every night? What shows were on during this time?

253

[quote]Professor X wrote:
ZEB wrote:

Instead of posting back that parents are lazy and stupid, why don’t you offer an alternative suggestion as I have done.

I gave you alternatives. I even wrote about many shows that would be great for kids and gave you the premise surrounding them. Others then showed you how to block your tv from things you don’t want your kids to see. What else do you want?[/quote]

I want you to address the issue, which is why can’t shows with more mature subject matter be moved out of prime time? This is what myself and the majority of parents would like.

254

[quote]ZEB wrote:
Professor X wrote:
ZEB wrote:

Instead of posting back that parents are lazy and stupid, why don’t you offer an alternative suggestion as I have done.

I gave you alternatives. I even wrote about many shows that would be great for kids and gave you the premise surrounding them. Others then showed you how to block your tv from things you don’t want your kids to see. What else do you want?

I want you to address the issue, which is why can’t shows with more mature subject matter be moved out of prime time? This is what myself and the majority of parents would like.
[/quote]

I am adressing the issue, by asking why your kids are watching so much tv.

255

Ok…here is this week’s lineup for my area cable provider. This is the Monday through Friday, 7-9pm time slots as found on tvguide.com:

Monday:
CBS:
7 - Still Standing (tv-pg) NSNH(never seen or heard of it)

7:30 - Listen Up (tv-pg) NSNH

8 - Everybody Loves Raymond (tv-pg) Have seen some episodes. Seem like the typical family comedy of today. Harmless enough.

8:30 - Two and a Half Men (no rating) NSNH

ABC:
7 - Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (tv-pg) They help rebuild needy people’s homes. Nothing inappropriate here.

8 - Extreme Makeover (tv-pg)The “regular” version of the show where they makeover people. Still fairly harmless, but I don’t know if I want my kids watching shows about plastic surgery.

NBC:
7 - Fear Factor (tv-pg) High on the “Gross Factor”, but nothing inappropriate for most kids.

8 - Las Vegas (tv-14) Never seen it, but title, rating, and previews suggest it’s not appropriate for children.

FOX:
7 - Nanny 911 (tv-pg) Reality tv. Never seen it, but looks ok for all ages.

8 - 24 (tv-14) Never seen it, but crime dramas are usually not for children.

WB:
7 - 7th Heaven (tv-g) Seen this several times and my daughter loves it. Occasionally touches on subjects that I feel inappropriate for my 6 or 7 year old children, but handles such subjects tastefully. I think it might deserve a TV-PG rating.

8 - Summerland (tv-pg) NSNH

UPN:
7 - One on One (tv-pg) NSNH

7:30 - Cuts (tv-pg) NSNH

8 - Girlfriends (tv-pg) Never seen it, but heard of it and seen previews. Probably not appropriate for young children.

8:30 - Half & Half (tv-pg) NSNH

Tuesday:
CBS:
7 - NCIS (tv-pg) Never seen it, but most crime dramas are rated TV-14.

8 - Amazing Race 7 (no rating) Seen this once, bored the hell out of me. Nothing seemed inappropriate for children, I just can’t imagine a child enjoying watching this.

ABC:
7 - My Wife and Kids (tv-pg) Family sitcom; harmless.

7:30 - George Lopez (tv-pg) Never seen it, but seems similar to Everybody Loves Raymond and My Wife and Kids.

8 - According to Jim (tv-pg) Have seen it, typical family-based sitcom. Nothing inappropriate.

8:30 - Rodney (tv-pg) NSNH

NBC:
7 - Will and Grace (tv-14) Lots of sexual and gay humor. Main character(s) is gay. Rating is TV-14 so it is suggested inappropriate for children under 14.

7:30, 8 - Scrubs (tv-14) Seen a couple episodes; also contains some sexual situations and humor. Again, rating reflects show being inappropriate for children under 14.

FOX:
7 - American Idol (tv-g) Although some of the performances may be offensive to my ears and to music in general, the show is clean and appropriate for all ages.

8 - House (tv-14) Never seen it. Medical drama. Understandably has a TV-14 rating.

WB:
7 - Gilmore Girls (tv-pg) Seen this several times. Mostly harmless. Occasionally touches on subjects inappropriate for young children.

8 - Starlet (no rating) Never seen it. More reality tv.

UPN:
7 - All of Us (tv-pg) NSNH

7:30 - Eve (tv-pg) NSNH

8 - Veronica Mars (tv-pg) NSNH

Wednesday:
CBS:
7 - Survivor: Palau (no rating) Never seen any Survivor series, honest. Seems similar to Fear Factor as far as being appropriate for children.

8 - CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (tv-14) Again, most crime dramas are not for children.

ABC:
7 - Lost (tv-14) Never seen it. Doesn’t seem appropriate for children. Rating reflects this.

8 - Alias (tv-14) Again, crime dramas are usually not appropriate for children.

NBC:
7 - American Dreams (tv-pg) NSNH

8 - West Wing (tv-pg) Never seen it. Rated TV-PG, so supposedly appropriate for most children, although most dramas are rated TV-14

FOX:
7 - That 70’s Show (tv-14) Sexual content and humor. Also drug use and humor. Probably would only be rated TV-PG if drug content was eliminated.

7:30 - Simple Life: Interns (tv-pg) Seen the first series. A few sexual jokes, otherwise harmless. I must, however, warn that you will become dumber each time you watch the show. I think I lost 25 IQ points from the first series.

8 - American Idol (tv-pg) See above.

8:30 - Life on a Stick (tv-14) NSNH

WB:
7 - Smallville (tv-14) Never seen it, but I don’t see how a young Clark Kent can be too inappropriate. But, like I said, I’ve never seen it and it does have a TV-14 rating.

8 - Jack & Bobby (tv-14) NSNH

UPN:
7 - Ameica’s Next Top Model (no rating) Never seen it. More mindless reality tv.

8 - Kevin Hill (tv-14) NSNH

Thursday:
CBS:
7 - NCAA Basketball Tournament (no rating) March Madness, baby! Appropriate for all ages. Should be mandatory viewing. Go Panthers! Go Badgers!

ABC:
7, 8 - Jake in Progress (tv-pg) Never seen it. Previews make it seem ok for most children. Probably has some sexual humor.

NBC:
7 - Joey (tv-14) Friends spinoff. Probably receives TV-14 from sexual content.

7:30 - The Apprentice (tv-pg) Never seen it. Reality tv. Looks harmless.

8:30 - The Office (tv-pg) NSNH

FOX:
7 - The O.C. (tv-14) Never seen it, but reminds of Beverly Hills, 90210 or Melrose Place(is it by Aaron Spelling, too?). Looks inappropriate for children under 14, as rating suggests.

8 - Point Pleasant (tv-pg) NSNH

WB:
7 - Blue Collar TV (tv-14) NSNH

8 - Starlet (no rating) See above.

UPN:
7 - WWE Smackdown! (tv-pg) Professional wrestling entertainment. May or may not be appropriate for children depending on the parent.

Friday:
CBS:
7 - NCAA Basketball Tournament (no rating) See above.

ABC:
7 - It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown. (no rating) Charlie Brown Easter special. Appropriate for all ages.

7:30 - 8 Simple Rules (tv-pg) Never seen, but looks like another family-based sitcom.

8 - Hope & Faith (tv-pg) NSNH

8:30 Less Than Perfect (tv-pg) NSNH

NBC:
7 - Dateline NBC (no rating) News program. May or may not be appropriate for children depending on their age, maturity, and what you want them exposed to.

8 - Medical Investigation (no rating) NSNH

FOX:
7 - NAACP Image Awards (tv-pg) Awards show. Can’t see how it would be inappropriate for children.

WB:
7, 7:30 - What I Like About You (tv-pg) NSNH

8, 8:30 - Reba (tv-pg) I have seen this a few years ago. I think it features a teenage mother. May be inappropriate if your child can’t or doesn’t understand teenage pregnancy or motherhood.

UPN:
7 - Star Trek: Enterprise (no rating) Star Trek series. Haven’t seen this, but have seen others. Mostly science fiction, but nothing terribly inappropriate for children. Aliens and space travel and battles may be too much for young children.

8 - America’s Next Top Model (no rating) See above.

There it is; the lineup for the 5 major, non-cable networks. I really don’t see what’s so offensive. Yeah, there’s a lot of garbage, but it’s mindless garbage, not offensive garbage.

Another poster hit it on the head. Primetime is when TV sells itself. If garbage is on the air, it’s because people want to see it and people are tuning in.

So in effect, the best solution is to turn the TV off. Or at least turn the channel. Boycott the networks showing the garbage. Maybe you can even volunteer to be a Nielsen household and make your viewing selections count even more.

256

[quote]Professor X wrote:
rainjack wrote:
With you incessant whining about your rights, your rights, your rights - with no consideration for the rights of kids…Well if you walk like a duck and quack like a duck.

Where have I written that I have no consideration for kids? I wrote that is the parent’s responsibility to monitor what they watch. That doesn’t mean I don’t care for kids. I am sure I have volunteered at more elementary schools and kids’ functions than you ever have. I just did one last week. You are truly reaching when you equate a desire for parents to monitor their kids and their own homes with lack of caring for children. They’re your kids. You teach them, watch them, and mold them…not tv. I can’t remember a time when late night tv was just for kids. When was this? What year did “kid night” occur between 7-9 every night? What shows were on during this time? [/quote]

And tell me again how many kids you have of your own? I got the trump card Mr. Community Service.

You are selfish for only caring for your rights - and not those of the kids. Being a good liberal, I figured you guys had “it’s for the children” tattooed to your foreheads. But that’s only when your ‘rights’ are not at stake.

Nonetheless, I don’t know if being a youth group leader for three years and a highschool sunday school teacher for six consecutive years rates up there with your obviously far superior connection with the community, or not - but don’t go making statements out of pure ignorance just because you need to pat yourself on the back. And you wonder where I get the idea that you are in left field with your head stuck in between your massive glutes?

But you probably knew I was going to say that a week ago, didn’t you, King?

257

Thanks malonetd for your research. I didn’t have time today to do my own research, and I will certainly read your work and comment on it later toight.

258

Line-drawing with respect to government censorship is extremely difficult. You want to draw the line in a position that both protects kids from actual harm but also protects both the freedom of expression and freedom of consumption of adults – especially with regard to free speech.

With respect to broadcast regulation, governmental authority to censor is based on very tenuous grounds, given that the USSC opinion that justified it was based on the idea of the spectrum as a limited public resource, and technology is rapidly making that assumption obsolete.

I don’t have an easy solution – when I have kids, I won’t want them subject to the morally-numbing effects of over-exposure to violence and porn – and it seems clear this occurs when younger children are exposed to these sorts of stimuli. However, at the same time, adults should have access to action movies and spank mags if they want them. Parents obviously have a role in restricting their own kids, but that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be age-based restrictions on specific products, to the extent that is possible.

I suppose the analysis is going to need to proceed on a case-by-case basis, with video games on one standard, movies on another, etc. The internet just makes the calculation that much more difficult, especially as its reach goes beyond national boundries.

259

[quote]Professor X wrote:
ZEB wrote:
Professor X wrote:
ZEB wrote:

Instead of posting back that parents are lazy and stupid, why don’t you offer an alternative suggestion as I have done.

I gave you alternatives. I even wrote about many shows that would be great for kids and gave you the premise surrounding them. Others then showed you how to block your tv from things you don’t want your kids to see. What else do you want?

I want you to address the issue, which is why can’t shows with more mature subject matter be moved out of prime time? This is what myself and the majority of parents would like.

I am adressing the issue, by asking why your kids are watching so much tv.[/quote]

Professor,

With all due respect, you really have to pay better attention to my posts, if you are going to debate with me.

Several posts back I stated (at least twice) that we (my family) do not watch a lot of TV. I’m sure that you can understand this.

I am speaking more to the widespread problem of parents attempts to view prime time TV (and other media) with their children, in general. I have given you studies and polls that show that the majority of parents agree with me. We (parents) think there needs to be some sort of reform. You apparently disagree. That is the nucleus for a good debate!

Now, please address the issue at hand. Let me see your facts! Please don’t post anymore selfish opinion. I understand that you don’t want to change one single thing relative to your viewing habits. I gave you my opinion early on. I then attempted to build an argument around that opinion. You however have not gotten past giving me your opinion.

Simply typing: “It’s my right! Why should I ever give up anything” is not a cohesive argument.

Here are some ideas for you:

  1. Show, or prove that television programming during prime time is better than it was pre 1980 (before the advent of cable).

  2. Give examples of why the current prime time shows are good for the the family.

  3. Explain in detail why pushing the mature viewing programs back one hour is a bad idea, and will harm families, or whoever.

I am not in any way attempting sarcasm. I consider the debate (here on T-Nation) to be fun. I would like to continue, however simply posting your opinion, in place of a strong retort each time does nothing to strengthen the debate, and in fact weakens your own argument.

Thank you,

Zeb

260

[quote]malonetd wrote:
Ok…here is this weeks lineup for my area cable provider, as found on tvguide.com:

Monday:
CBS:
7 - Still Standing (tv-pg) NSNH(never seen or heard of it)

7:30 - Listen Up (tv-pg) NSNH

8 - Everybody Loves Raymond (tv-pg) Have seen some episodes. Seem like the typical family comedy of today. Harmless enough.

8:30 - Two and a Half Men (no rating) NSNH

ABC:
7 - Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (tv-pg) They help rebuild needy people’s homes. Nothing inappropriate here.

8 - Extreme Makeover (tv-pg)The “regular” version of the show where they makeover people. Still fairly harmless, but I don’t know if I want my kids watching shows about plastic surgery.

NBC:
7 - Fear Factor (tv-pg) High on the “Gross Factor”, but nothing inappropriate for most kids.

8 - Las Vegas (tv-14) Never seen it, but title, rating, and previews suggest it’s not appropriate for children.

FOX:
7 - Nanny 911 (tv-pg) Reality tv. Never seen it, but looks ok for all ages.

8 - 24 (tv-14) Never seen it, but crime dramas are usually not for children.

WB:
7 - 7th Heaven (tv-g) Seen this several times and my daughter loves it. Occasionally touches on subjects that I feel inappropriate for my 6 or 7 year old children, but handles such subjects tastefully. I think it might deserve a TV-PG rating.

8 - Summerland (tv-pg) NSNH

UPN:
7 - One on One (tv-pg) NSNH

7:30 - Cuts (tv-pg) NSNH

8 - Girlfriends (tv-pg) Never seen it, but heard of it and seen previews. Probably not appropriate for young children.

8:30 - Half & Half (tv-pg) NSNH

Tuesday:
CBS:
7 - NCIS (tv-pg) Never seen it, but most crime dramas are rated TV-14.

8 - Amazing Race 7 (no rating) Seen this once, bored the hell out of me. Nothing seemed inappropriate for children, I just can’t imagine a child enjoying watching this.

ABC:
7 - My Wife and Kids (tv-pg) Family sitcom; harmless.

7:30 - George Lopez (tv-pg) Never seen it, but seems similar to Everybody Loves Raymond and My Wife and Kids.

8 - According to Jim (tv-pg) Have seen it, typical family-based sitcom. Nothing inappropriate.

8:30 - Rodney (tv-pg) NSNH

NBC:
7 - Will and Grace (tv-14) Lots of sexual and gay humor. Main character(s) is gay. Rating is TV-14 so it is suggested inappropriate for children under 14.

7:30, 8 - Scrubs (tv-14) Seen a couple episodes; also contains some sexual situations and humor. Again, rating reflects show being inappropriate for children under 14.

FOX:
7 - American Idol (tv-g) Although some of the performances may be offensive to my ears and to music in general, the show is clean and appropriate for all ages.

8 - House (tv-14) Never seen it. Medical drama. Understandably has a TV-14 rating.

WB:
7 - Gilmore Girls (tv-pg) Seen this several times. Mostly harmless. Occasionally touches on subjects inappropriate for young children.

8 - Starlet (no rating) Never seen it. More reality tv.

UPN:
7 - All of Us (tv-pg) NSNH

7:30 - Eve (tv-pg) NSNH

8 - Veronica Mars (tv-pg) NSNH

Wednesday:
CBS:
7 - Survivor: Palau (no rating) Never seen any Survivor series, honest. Seems similar to Fear Factor as far as being appropriate for children.

8 - CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (tv-14) Again, most crime dramas are not for children.

ABC:
7 - Lost (tv-14) Never seen it. Doesn’t seem appropriate for children. Rating reflects this.

8 - Alias (tv-14) Again, crime dramas are usually not appropriate for children.

NBC:
7 - American Dreams (tv-pg) NSNH

8 - West Wing (tv-pg) Never seen it. Rated TV-PG, so supposedly appropriate for most children, although most dramas are rated TV-14

FOX:
7 - That 70’s Show (tv-14) Sexual content and humor. Also drug use and humor. Probably would only be rated TV-PG if drug content was eliminated.

7:30 - Simple Life: Interns (tv-pg) Seen the first series. A few sexual jokes, otherwise harmless. I must, however, warn that you will become dumber each time you watch the show. I think I lost 25 IQ points from the first series.

8 - American Idol (tv-pg) See above.

8:30 - Life on a Stick (tv-14) NSNH

WB:
7 - Smallville (tv-14) Never seen it, but I don’t see how a young Clark Kent can be too inappropriate. But, like I said, I’ve never seen it and it does have a TV-14 rating.

8 - Jack & Bobby (tv-14) NSNH

UPN:
7 - Ameica’s Next Top Model (no rating) Never seen it. More mindless reality tv.

8 - Kevin Hill (tv-14) NSNH

Thursday:
CBS:
7 - NCAA Basketball Tournament (no rating) March Madness, baby! Appropriate for all ages. Should be mandatory viewing. Go Panthers! Go Badgers!

ABC:
7, 8 - Jake in Progress (tv-pg) Never seen it. Previews make it seem ok for most children. Probably has some sexual humor.

NBC:
7 - Joey (tv-14) Friends spinoff. Probably receives TV-14 from sexual content.

7:30 - The Apprentice (tv-pg) Never seen it. Reality tv. Looks harmless.

8:30 - The Office (tv-pg) NSNH

FOX:
7 - The O.C. (tv-14) Never seen it, but reminds of Beverly Hills, 90210 or Melrose Place(is it by Aaron Spelling, too?). Looks inappropriate for children under 14, as rating suggests.

8 - Point Pleasant (tv-pg) NSNH

WB:
7 - Blue Collar TV (tv-14) NSNH

8 - Starlet (no rating) See above.

UPN:
7 - WWE Smackdown! (tv-pg) Professional wrestling entertainment. May or may not be appropriate for children depending on the parent.

Friday:
CBS:
7 - NCAA Basketball Tournament (no rating) See above.

ABC:
7 - It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown. (no rating) Charlie Brown Easter special. Appropriate for all ages.

7:30 - 8 Simple Rules (tv-pg) Never seen, but looks like another family-based sitcom.

8 - Hope & Faith (tv-pg) NSNH

8:30 Less Than Perfect (tv-pg) NSNH

NBC:
7 - Dateline NBC (no rating) News program. May or may not be appropriate for children depending on their age, maturity, and what you want them exposed to.

8 - Medical Investigation (no rating) NSNH

FOX:
7 - NAACP Image Awards (tv-pg) Awards show. Can’t see how it would be inappropriate for children.

WB:
7, 7:30 - What I Like About You (tv-pg) NSNH

8, 8:30 - Reba (tv-pg) I have seen this a few years ago. I think it features a teenage mother. May be inappropriate if your child can’t or doesn’t understand teenage pregnancy or motherhood.

UPN:
7 - Star Trek: Enterprise (no rating) Star Trek series. Haven’t seen this, but have seen others. Mostly science fiction, but nothing terribly inappropriate for children. Aliens and space travel and battles may be too much for young children.

8 - America’s Next Top Model (no rating) See above.

There it is; the lineup for the 5 major, non-cable networks. I really don’t see what’s so offensive. Yeah, there’s a lot of garbage, but it’s mindless garbage, not offensive garbage.

Another poster hit it on the head. Primetime is when TV sells itself. If garbage is on the air, it’s because people want to see it and people are tuning in.

So in effect, the best solution is to turn the TV off. Or at least turn the channel. Boycott the networks showing the garbage. Maybe you can even volunteer to be a Nielsen household and make your viewing selections count even more.[/quote]

maloneted:

When you lose the general argument try to launch an attack on the spefics.
Good try, I commend you for at least attempting to form some sort of argument. However the viewers have spoken and they have found that much of the above is very offensive.

The following is all TV viewers not just parents:

“In a national opinion poll conducted for TV Guide (8/2/03), 57% of TV viewers said they ‘noticed an increase in offensive material on television lately.’”

“In a national survey by Public Agenda (“Parents feel they?re failing to teach values,” USA TODAY, 10/30/02), 'about 90% [of parents] say TV programs are getting worse every year because of bad language and adult themes in shows that air from 8 to 10 p.m.”

The above two polls demonstate that not only parents are aware of the vile nature of many prime time shows, but viewers in general. Do you really think that you are a typical viewer? I don’t that is the case.

You stated:
“There it is; the lineup for the 5 major, non-cable networks. I really don’t see what’s so offensive. Yeah, there’s a lot of garbage, but it’s mindless garbage, not offensive garbage.”

I wonder how you draw a distinction between “mindless garbage” and “offensive garbage?”

Part of the reason that you don’t see anything wrong with most of the above is because you are viewing it as a young “T-Male.” As you can see, when you view it through the eyes of a parent, or even a general viewer there is plenty wrong with most of it!