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TV Showing More Violence Against Women

TresSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:05:37 PDT

I typically avert my eyes when graphic scenes flash across my television screen, so it boggles my mind that violence is such a celebrated form of entertainment. A new report from the Parents Television Council suggests that the prevalence of violence on TV is getting even more disturbing. The report reveals that violence against women and teen girls is up 120 percent, while violence shown on television general has raised by only two percent in recent years.

Questions remain about the conservative group's study. For example, it doesn't precisely define what it considers "violence." Still, the results cannot be completely ignored. Showing more examples of violence against women could desensitize viewers and make it appear more acceptable.

The Parents Television Council is calling for more government regulation against such violence on TV. Do you support that, or should viewers censor what they watch themselves?

Photos courtesy of NBC

Buzz News Roundup, 8/6

BuzzSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:30:49 PDT

Mark Ruffalo will make his directorial debut on the film Sympathy for Delicious, which will also star James Franco, writes ComingSoon.
The novel The Dogs of Babel will be adapted for the big screen, Variety reports.
A new Parents Television Council study has found that TV portrays sex between married people as boring, TV Week reports.
AMC is developing a new political thriller TV series about a "secret society that controls the world's political stage," TV Guide reports.
According to E! Online, Kevin Smith has won his appeal to get an R rating (rather than NC-17) for his raunchy comedy Zack and Miri Make a Porno.

Hollywood Reporter has the news that the spoof book Drink, Play, F@#K will be made into a movie.
Variety writes that DreamWorks has taken down the Tropic Thunder promotional website simplejackmovie.com for being offensive to the mentally challenged.
Eli Roth, director of the Hostel movies, will star in Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Bastards, reports Zap2It.

Source

Should TV Networks Have a Family Hour?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 08:30:00 PDT

That picture up there? That's "American Dad," otherwise known as the most objectionable show on television, according to the Parents Television Council. The group issued a report this week that said the show had more violent, sexual and profane content than any other show on TV, and its network, Fox, was singled out as the worst network for children (the CW ranked the cleanest; bet that changes after "Gossip Girl" comes out).

One thing "American Dad" has going for it is that it airs later in the night, at 9:30 p.m., when many young children are likely to be in bed. A key finding of the council's study was the increase in profanity, violence and sexual content during the "family hour" of 8 to 9 p.m. (and 7 to 8 p.m. on Sundays). Violence was up more than 50 percent since the council's 2001 study, according to the report, while sexual content jumped 22 percent.

This has led the group to ask for more clean content during the family hour. On the one hand, I see a need for shows that parents and kids can watch together. On the other hand, a lot of good 8 p.m. shows certainly wouldn't be classified as "clean" ("30 Rock," anyone?). Do you think the networks should have an hour each night devoted to family-friendly programming?

Photo courtesy of Fox

Link Time - New Pictures of Robert Pattinson in Cosmopolis

BuzzSugar — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:42:55 PST

Check out new pictures of Robert Pattinson in Cosmopolis - /Film
The best and worst comedy moments of the season so far - Zap2It
Find out which Scorsese film the royals will be watching this month - The Hollywood Reporter
Watch Kermit and friends in the opening dance number from The Muppets - NextMovie
The Absolutely Fabulous movie is happening - Moviefone
See creepy new Walking Dead pictures - BuddyTV
Watch the creepy trailer for The Innkeepers - Rotten Tomatoes
Do these TV show stars deserve better shows? - Aol TV
Find out why the Parents Television Council is upset about tonight's Glee episode - TrèsSugar

Photo credit: Caitlin Cronenberg

Parents Group Upset Over Teen Sex in Glee Tonight

Tara Block — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:50:18 PST

The show hasn't even aired yet, and the Parents Television Council is already angry about the teen sex in Glee's episode tonight titled "The First Time." Two McKinley High couples - one straight and one same-sex - will be getting it on tonight, and the parents group isn't happy about it. While it would appear to be the gay teen sex PTC is targeting, the group's president Tim Winter says it's really about the age and audience.

"The fact that Glee intends to not only broadcast, but celebrate children having sex is reprehensible. The gender of the high school characters involved is irrelevant. Teen sex is now more prevalent on TV than adult sex and Glee is only playing into that trend. Research proves that television is a teen sexual super peer that can, and likely will, influence a teen's decision to become sexually active. Fox knows the show inherently attracts kids; celebrating teen sex constitutes gross recklessness."

While Glee is set in high school, I wouldn't call it a kids show, and it has been frank about sex since day one. The first season revolved around Quinn's teen pregnancy after all. And where was the PTC outrage when "The Power of Madonna" episode aired, which was all about getting in touch with your sexual side and losing your virginity, and featured various couples rolling around in bed? Instead, the PTC called out the Britney Spears episode for featuring a "troubled pop star" as a role model and, of course, that pervy Glee GQ photo shoot.

I can't find the rhyme or reason to what ruffles the parents group's feathers, but do you think something as common as teen sex on TV is really the issue? Is the gay teen sex the real root of the controversy? And do you think the Glee creators have a responsibility to keep the show kid friendly? Tells us what you think in the comments.

The Playboy Club Is the First New Show to Get Canceled

Shannon Vestal — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:11:47 PDT

Ladies and gentleman, we have the first casualty of the 2011 Fall TV season: NBC has canceled The Playboy Club. The 1960s drama set in Chicago lasted only three episodes after suffering low ratings and complaints from the Parents Television Council about its racy subject matter.

This update comes on the heels of the news that NBC is picking up Whitney and Up All Night for full seasons, but they've apparently decided to leave The Playboy Club behind (as for its vacant Monday nighttime slot, NBC will air reruns of new series Prime Suspect). Are you surprised that is the first to go?

Photos courtesy of NBC