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

[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