This is why we can't have nice things

[retro_eidas]

I don't know anything about "Gossip Girl", but apparently they have some sort of scandalous, sexually deviant story coming up? Or, so says the Parents Television Council anyway.

From a letter the PTC have sent to the CW regarding GG's apparent lasciviousness:

Gossip Girl routinely depicts teenage characters engaging in promiscuous and consequence-free sexual behavior, and that's bad enough. But will you now be complicit in establishing a precedent and expectation that teenagers should engage in behaviors heretofore associated primarily with adult films? Behaviors that not only increase health risks, but which are emotionally and psychologically damaging to participants, as well? I certainly hope not, and I'm sure members of your community and parents of children who watch your network expect more of you.

There's also the typical Big Brother Is Watching You type warning.

Please be advised that the PTC will monitor this episode very closely.

Our members will not hesitate to contact local and national advertisers; and if this program violates broadcast decency law, rest assured that our members will contact the Federal Communications Commission.

According to this article, this same group apparently also considers "Ugly Betty" only appropriate for people over 18. I don't really give two straws about "Ugly Betty" or "Gossip Girl", but "Ugly Betty"? Really? What little I have seen of the show, I'm having trouble pinpointing what exactly their issues are with it. I can't imagine it would have at all to do with the fact the incredibly tame, watershed sitcom is one of the few network shows on television that has openly gay and transgendered characters in it? Oh wait, I can imagine it! But I guess "we're narrow-minded, paranoid homophobes" doesn't quite roll off the tongue as well as "stem the flow of harmful and negative messages targeted to children". I suppose if the PTC had their way all kids would be locked in the basement until they're 21 get home-schooled? Like all those kids they fear the tv box is corrupting can't go to school or the mall or the internet and not only be exposed to this same sort of deviancy, but hear and see things far more "explicit" than anything you'd see on primetime CW or ABC.

I am kind of curious on what would happen if these folks watched an ep of "Skins" or maybe "Torchwood"? I kind of really want to see those letters to the FCC. That is, if they were even capable of typing and not induced into some catatonic state from their shock and horror. Heh.

Now for my own shameful biases, but it makes me wish certain showrunner's of little-horror-shows-that-could would do something - anything - to really get these people to clutch their pearls. I know it won't happen, but it would be nice.

Comments

[amaresu]

Do people still listen to the PTC? They were complaining about GG a few years ago if I remember correctly.

It amuses me though that the PTC will go after GG for being to sexual, but is perfectly okay with SPN and the graphic horror/blood/stuff. I mean I'll hide my head from the tv more for SPN then for Criminal Minds because I just don't need to see that.

[elliptic-eye.livejournal.com]

It amuses me though that the PTC will go after GG for being to sexual, but is perfectly okay with SPN and the graphic horror/blood/stuff

This, and it's not just them--it's most of the U.S., as far as I can tell. Pretty frakking disturbing that sex is automatically more "adult" than, you know, people harming other people.

[eido.livejournal.com]

Pretty frakking disturbing that sex is automatically more "adult" than, you know, people harming other people.

Doesn't seem to be just any sex either they seem to have the most problem with. Yet that is placed in the same red marked category as all these violent, bloody and gorey shows. Obviously, gay sex = corpses of rape victims found in dumpsters or characters getting their brains blown apart by sawed-off shotguns.

[eido.livejournal.com]

That's a very American way of thinking though, isn't it? The handwaving of violence, but the notion of possibly two guys kissing? People are screaming deviancy. Although, in fairness to PTC, they do consider SPN a red marked series, high caution for parents, as they do most of the, for example, violent, bloody procedural dramas in TV like the CSIs. However, "Will and Grace" is also placed alongside them in the red category, as is "Ugly Betty".

[ailurophile6.livejournal.com]

stuff like this makes me just want to watch that crappy show to spite the PTC! if it gets better ratings, it serves them right for giving the show all that free publicity, lol

[eido.livejournal.com]

Seriously, I'm not sure what they think this is really going to accomplish. If I were 15 again and heard about this, it would only make me more curious, not chastened.

[thandie.livejournal.com]

I hate Skin and GG and all these sitcom-like shows that portray adolescents as drugs-money-sex addicts only (like they haven't got anything else to think about), so I'm always happy when they attract bad attention (even if probably this will bring them more viewers), but Ugly Betty should be a good show that doesn't really hurt anyone from what I remember ^^'
I only recall thinking the writers were really going to make fraternal incest happen on television somewhere around...season 1 I think? But I think they didn't, right? That would have been awkward ;)

But yeah, PTC are a bunch of obsessed crazy people that think Walt Disney movies are real life or something. I'd like to know how their children are growing up, assuming they have children.

[eido.livejournal.com]

I don't watch any of these shows, but yes, I completely think the PTC are still proving to be counterproductive. Unless all the teenagers they know and have ever met are all devoid of curiosity or rebellious streaks. In which case I'd suggest they stop hanging around Stepford and come back to the real world.

IIRC, one of the characters in "Ugly Betty" had been trying to discover her father's identity and discovered she slept with someone (in her past) whose father was one of her daddy candidates. However, I believe that was debunked. If I'm not mistaken, "Fringe" was also toying with an incest story between it's leads, but not sure if they went there as I don't watch that one either. If it did and if "Ugly Betty" did get the red mark for a possible incest story, I'd be calling hypocrisy. "Fringe" possibly meandering around a similar idea (with it's het female and male leads) but gets a lesser yellow mark.

[elliptic-eye.livejournal.com]

I don't know Gossip Girl and it doesn't sound like my cuppa, but now I'm pretty curious to know what this terribly damaging sexual practice is. Is it lesbianism? Non-missionary position? A little light bondage?

I am kind of curious on what would happen if these folks watched an ep of "Skins" or maybe "Torchwood"? I kind of really want to see those letters to the FCC. That is, if they were even capable of typing and not induced into some catatonic state from their shock and horror. Heh.

I don't know "Skins," but I think there was some U.S. "think of the children!"-type group who sent letters or campaigned when Turchwad cropped up on U.S. TV, all of a tizzy because TW was indoctrinating our childrun by showing teh gheys as (gasp!) not horribly deviant. It was pretty funny.

[eido.livejournal.com]

I don't know Gossip Girl and it doesn't sound like my cuppa, but now I'm pretty curious to know what this terribly damaging sexual practice is. Is it lesbianism? Non-missionary position? A little light bondage?

[ ] Of course, the fact I only know about it and discussing it on my LJ because PTC has gotten into such a snit about it? Your fail, PTC? It is showing.

Did they? Heh. I'm not surprised. I bet that right-wing fundy group who wanted to give Rusty an award for, I believe, "Gridlock" from series 3 Who? It makes me wonder if any of them were like Stephen Rea's character in "The Crying Game" and weeping in the shower after the realization of Rusty's tawdry ways?

[godofstrife.livejournal.com]

Skins, Doctor Who and Torchwood are the shows I'm growing up with and I haven't turned into a 'sexual deviant'. Oh wait, I forgot I'm gay and in an open relationship with my boyfriend, so I guess they must be right. *rolls eyes*

Seriously, idiots like this piss me off beyond the telling. They actually believe that an open minded and unrepressed approach to teenage sexuality will lead to mass pregnancies and the rest of us pursuing careers in prostitution? It's the simplest rule of all: you prohibit something and demonize it, people will want it even more. I'm not saying being aware of disease, pregnancy and exploitation aren't important but this? This so stupid it feels like I'm losing IQ points just talking about it.

/rant

[eido.livejournal.com]

Obviously, you cure the tv box of the evils of "Gossip Girl" and stupid teeny girls will suddenly not be stupid and either use protection* or, likely the ideal of the PTC, realize abstinence is best. Hate to tell them that teenagers are going to be teenagers, no matter what century we're in or the newest wave of technology. Although while they're expending so much energy on preventing the evils of television and movies corrupting the chil'runs, they might want to check out a little thing called the internet. Something that's increasingly accessible and usually something these teens know how to use with more efficiency than ma and pa watchdog.

*The thing about shows like GG, I don't know much about it, but I do know it's about a bunch of rich kids living the charmed life. I doubt any of them would care to be sidled with teen pregnancies and babies and such, how would they ever fit into their Michael Kors leather pants? Presumably all those characters use protection and mention it from time to time. Yet this show is still bad bad BAD? Apparently for little other reason than *gasps* teenagers have sex? GG may be a very fictionalized depiction of teens, but I'd sooner believe that holds more reality to the way teens in geneal actually are than say, "7th Heaven" or "Full House". I know I when I was a kid I wouldn't have been able to relate at all to anything in "7th Heaven".

[godofstrife.livejournal.com]

I don't know more about CG than you mentioned but I find it laughable that anything that could happen on that show is as remotely as explicit than the stuff I've been reading/watching on the internet since I was about twelve.
And I don't think it affected my childhood negatively, sure according to the law I'm not allowed to come in touch with any depiction of explicit sex, but to me it always felt normal.

Oh yeah, I find hilarious when a new "killer game" is released and promptly ends up in the index (in Germany most computer games with graphic violence and/or depiction of antisocial behavior get banned or heavily cut) and the responsible politic claims that this was another important step to protect the children I lol. They actually believe when they ban something that it's really gone because you can't buy it.
It's true there is already a big gap between me and my boyfriend (he's 23) when it comes to working with the internet or just with a computer and he is only six years older.

[eido.livejournal.com]

I don't know more about CG than you mentioned but I find it laughable that anything that could happen on that show is as remotely as explicit than the stuff I've been reading/watching on the internet since I was about twelve.

Or, hey, the Bible. I don't think GG has ever done anything as risque as Lot and his daughters or Jacob and his many wives.

the responsible politic claims that this was another important step to protect the children I lol. They actually believe when they ban something that it's really gone because you can't buy it.

Pffft. They've never heard of emulators, have they? Or many hardcore games still coming out on PC. Also it being so hard apparently to buy an American or Japanese PS3, for example, to get the games they're not releasing in their own country? Except how it's not hard at all actually if someone has the money to buy next gen consoles to begin with. Fools.

[ibroketuesday.livejournal.com]

Aaand this is why networks are afraid to put LGBT people on our TV screens.

[eido.livejournal.com]

Like I said in the subject, this is why we can't have nice things. >:(

[paraxdisepink.livejournal.com]

Let me guess, from the Gossip Girl letter, I'm assuming some peeps on that show are about to have some buttsex?

Like all those kids they fear the tv box is corrupting can't go to school or the mall or the internet and not only be exposed to this same sort of deviancy, but hear and see things far more "explicit" than anything you'd see on primetime CW or ABC.


Srsly. These parents are out of touch, and I shudder to imagine what they mean about "consequence-free" behavior. Maybe they want the females who like sex on these shows to die horribly as a punishment? Ugh.

Perhaps Cas and Dean should make out, or get freaky. That would result in some pearl-clutching. Hell, for the cause, Samlicker89 (?) can have a fantasy about Sam and Dean. That'll do it for sure.

*sigh*

[eido.livejournal.com]

There's going to be a threeway in GG and I heard it's M/F/M. *le shock* Controversy!

I shudder to imagine what they mean about "consequence-free" behavior. Maybe they want the females who like sex on these shows to die horribly as a punishment? Ugh.

Eww. Then you'd think they'd love Supernatural. Also possibly every Friday the 13th movie ever made.

Perhaps Cas and Dean should make out, or get freaky. That would result in some pearl-clutching.

Obviously!! Come on, Krip!! Fight the power!

Hell, for the cause, Samlicker89 (?) can have a fantasy about Sam and Dean. That'll do it for sure.

I can imagine there were some watchdogs out there averting their eyes in horror at that.

Speaking of the watchdogs, I'm picturing in my head someone clutching their Bible, like Dean in "Yellow Fever" (or possibly Carrie's mom, screeching about dirty pillows), the whole time sitting there watching "Route 666", "Heart" or "Free To Be You And Me".... for watchdog purposes of course. Then send strongly worded e-mails to their PTC brethren saying how filthydirtywrong Show is and concoct the next condescending letter to the CW to prepare Kripke's burning at the stake? Really, Krip should just give us the boykissing already since I could believe they don't care for the cut of his jib whatever he does.

[vagrantdream.livejournal.com]

^ I approve this motion.

Supernatural: fighting the evils of sticks up the...

Maybe I just want Dean/Cas. :p

[vagrantdream.livejournal.com]

I used to read this for the lols once in a while.

It's just so sad it's-sad. But I still laugh. And wonder what the heck they would rate True Blood. FREAKING CRIMSON!!! hehe.

This is totally reverse fail fannishness. FAIL!

[vagrantdream.livejournal.com]

I just forgot. this is totally funny because the Daily Mail had a similar vague letter about True Blood in it.

stem the flow of harmful and negative messages. SAY WHAT YOU MEAN! REALLY!

[eido.livejournal.com]

They seem to be fighting a losing battle as the filthy filth filthiness of dirty, undead zombie vampire sex and ghey (sub)text just isn't stopping.

[vagrantdream.livejournal.com]

This is perfect, especially with a CAS bamf icon. XD

Am I evil from being afforded amusement by their corollaries? I AIN'T stoppin.

[sailorhathor.livejournal.com]

Do these chuckleheads have anything to do with the PMRC? 'Cause anytime one of these groups pops up, I start thinking about Tipper and her band of repressed political wives. XD

[eido.livejournal.com]

I don't know, PTC claims to be non-partisan, but their right-wing agenda seems pretty clear. Then again, so does PMRC's despite one of the founders. I wouldn't be shocked they probably amicably converge from time to time.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'What little I have seen of the show, I'm having trouble pinpointing what exactly their issues are with it.'
Maybe they have a problem with the fact that gay people are portrayed in a positive light (or maybe it just at all) on that Ugly Bettt. Or it could be that Daniel was (in the words of the show) a man whore or that Hilda had Justen out of wedlock (I think) or that Justen may or may not be gay and his mother loves him anyway and just wants him to be himself and be happy.

'I am kind of curious on what would happen if these folks watched an ep of 'Skins' or maybe 'Torchwood'?'
They're heads would explode if they saw Torchwood. Particularly the scene in my icon.

'Now for my own shameful biases, but it makes me wish certain showrunner's of little-horror-shows-that-could would do something - anything - to really get these people to clutch their pearls.'
I would love that!