Sour Family Hour?

August 2, 2001 8:21 AM

Sour Family Hour? This report from the conservative Parents Television Council made the top of the front page in our local paper this morning. If you visit the PTC home page, you'll get a pop-up calling for action against Comedy Central and "South Park" because they recently went over the top by not censoring the word "shit" and compounding the sin by using a counter in the corner to note how many times it was said. (Anybody catch that episode?)
posted by jdbanks (16 comments total)

Apparently the PTC doesn't understand irony in the least, because the entire episode was lampooning the notion that "shit" on TV will bring about the apocalypse.

Actually, the more I watch South Park the more intelligent and disgusting it gets at the same time. Sure, the most recent episode was about fourth graders wearing condoms, but it was also the most vicious and absolutely accurate attack on the ludicrousness of sex ed that I've ever seen.
posted by tweebiscuit at 8:40 AM on August 2, 2001

Sure, the most recent episode was about fourth graders wearing condoms, but it was also the most vicious and absolutely accurate attack on the ludicrousness of sex ed that I've ever seen.
I thought the same thing. I'd never really thought twice about the manner we teach sex ed in schools until I watched last night's South Park. Funny, hearing kindergarteners rattling off a litany of sexual positions will do that to you.
posted by ChrisTN at 9:09 AM on August 2, 2001

Parents shouldn't be telling other parents how to parent.
posted by panopticon at 9:14 AM on August 2, 2001

I see that the V chip all that fuss was about isn't working, partly because:

Researchers found that of all parents who have a V-chip (which by law must be included in all TV sets built since January 2000) 53% don’t know it, and 30% choose not to use it.

Particular opprobrium must fall on the heads of those parents arrogant enough to want to exercise their freedom of choice.

The thing the shocked me most about the original link was how bad-written most of the quotes are.
posted by Grangousier at 9:28 AM on August 2, 2001

If you want to watch "wholesome programming" at 8 PM time shift some stuff from earlier in the day. Or watch PAX.

Why is it the responsibility of everyone else on earth to do the job of parenting for people? If I want to watch Friends at 8PM, and they want to schedule it at 8PM, then that is what should happen. The networks shouldn't bow down to these bullies and their reports.

"I can't watch my children all the time." Ok, then you should (1) not be a parent, (2) utilize the tools you've already been given (v-chip).
posted by benjh at 9:37 AM on August 2, 2001

South Park just keeps getting better and better. The episode they are fussing about was awesome. The PTC evidently didn't get the joke/message.
posted by Wicker at 9:59 AM on August 2, 2001

Listed as an example of foul language - “Poor bastard, you never had a chance.” (Malcolm in the Middle, Fox), and “I'm not pissed. I'm fine.” (Yes, Dear, CBS)

What? How are these "foul"?

I've sent an email asking the assholes editors what the fucking darn problem is with those lines.
posted by y6y6y6 at 10:25 AM on August 2, 2001

The PTC evidently didn't get the joke/message.

Oh, they got the joke allright! Why do you think they're so pissed. You'd be pissed too if you got lampooned on television.
posted by bob bisquick at 10:55 AM on August 2, 2001

I don't know what annoys me more - people who spend all their time worrying about people who say "shit" on TV, or people who spend all their time trying to say "shit" on TV. I can ignore the former, but the latter just paves the way for the day a network sitcom uses "fuck," and thinks it's an blow for the First Amendment. Although the defenders will probably say "a cocksucker for the First Amendment," and god forbid any PTC prudes complain about that, either.
posted by lileks at 11:18 AM on August 2, 2001

now i have to block the PTV website to keep my children from seeing the foul language they have thoughtlessly emphasized with quotation marks.
posted by tolkhan at 11:19 AM on August 2, 2001

I don't know what annoys me more - people who spend all their time worrying about people who say "shit" on TV, or people who spend all their time trying to say "shit" on TV. I can ignore the former, but the latter just paves the way for the day a network sitcom uses "fuck," and thinks it's an blow for the First Amendment. Although the defenders will probably say "a cocksucker for the First Amendment," and god forbid any PTC prudes complain about that, either.
posted by lileks at 11:20 AM on August 2, 2001

"I can't watch my children all the time." Ok, then you should (1) not be a parent, (2) utilize the tools you've already been given (v-chip).

You forgot: (3) at least try watching them most of the time.
posted by Dirjy at 11:20 AM on August 2, 2001

Once again, it isn't about their children, it's about yours. This is because you are a bad person, possibly with the wrong cultural background, and you cannot be trusted to raise your children in the Only Acceptable Manner.

Since the Precious Precious Children are entirely pure, without minds, and wholly lacking those nasty nasty genitalia, they must be protected from evil parents like you. The easiest way to do this is to prevent you from doing anything that might possibly be disagreeable to our Moral Guardians -- that way everyone gets to be Pure, and nobody has to miss their morning triple-soy nonfat double-ice mochaccino.
posted by aramaic at 11:57 AM on August 2, 2001

"I can't watch my children all the time."

As a parent, I really hate those people. I hate the people who try to yank Tom Sawyer out of my kid's school library, and who pass around petitions tryng to restrict free speech, assuming that because I have a kid, I will agree with them. These are the same people who get annoyed with me because I won't take my son to see Jurassic Park III on opening day with them. No, I'm sorry, I made him, he's my responsibility. There is nothing he watches on TV that I haven't watched first, the same goes for all his entertainment, from books to films to video games. That is my job and I don't want the government doing it for me, much less some dipshit with a website and an overly-sensitive reaction to potty language. I swear, these people have no critical thinking skills whatsoever.
posted by headspace at 12:01 PM on August 2, 2001

Well said, headspace!

I have determined, after examining my past and the way I was raised, and the way I'm finding myself raising my own child - Yes, it pissed me off that my parents didn't let me watch Three's Company, or go see rated R movies..etc. But the bottom line is: they took an active interest in what they thought I should or should not be exposed to and acted upon that. Anything else is just lazy, disaffected parenting.

I'm beginning to think it's not even about what you prevent your child from being exposed to , but the simple act of actually being proactive in the matter that makes the difference. It seems like an astounding number of parents are just happy to have their pre-teens locked in their bedrooms watching tv, playing video games, and listening to eminem - Then they get pissed when they happen to actually go into the kids room, or even *gasp* strike up a CONVERSATION with their kid, and realize what the hell exactly he's been watching/listening to for the last who knows how long and why hasn't someone banned this stuff so my kid can't listen to it/ watch it or done SOMETHING to protect MY kid from THAT stuff!
posted by glenwood at 12:48 PM on August 2, 2001

I wonder how many of the members of the PTC are guilty of sex crimes and deviant behavior? Seems that those most guilty of indiscretion are the same ones who would yell loudly at others about that "hidden" behavior problem they have.

Perhaps this is why they're so sensitive to being lampooned? Truth hurts?
posted by nofundy at 6:46 AM on August 3, 2001