AuntShecky
10-19-2013, 07:15 PM
A few decades ago before cable (i.e. "pay") TV was an option, the big three commercial television networks made a rare pact in which they decided to reserve the first hour of prime time programming (8-9 pm, EST) for a widespread audience, similar to the "demographic" covered by the "G" rating in the movies. This was called the "family hour," during which ideally Mom, Dad and all 2.5 children could get together and watch inoffensive fare like variety shows, non-violent westerns, situation comedies, a la The Cosby Show.
Some years after that, the federal government sanctioned a device called the "V-chip" imbedded in the individual television unit itself. This was kind of a censoring device by which parents-- too busy or preoccupied to wrest the control of the remote out of little gripping hands-- could be assured that their kids would be blocked from less-than-wholesome fare.
It seems to me that the Family Hour has gone the way of Pac Man, and I don't know whatever happened to the V-chip. But after reading an essay by Naomi Schafffer Riley (http://nypost.com/2013/10/08/escaping-modern-tv/) I've found that apparently network prime time has stepped into some spicy terrain. Apparently the broadcasting networks have shaken loose the restraints of G-rated fare, maybe eschewing the slightly edgier PG label.
According to the article, characters in sitcoms make salacious references and mouth dialogue that would make Dr. Ruth blush. Evidently the double entendres turn the air bluer than All-Temperature Cheer.
Do you yourself watch network sitcoms? Do you allow your children to watch them --or more importantly--hear them? What do you think about Ms. Riley's observation?
I watch cable TV all the time. I like many of the programs on HBO, and the profanity and violence doesn't bother me. (Though I do think that sometimes HBO includes profanity just because it can; much of it is extraneous and not really --as actresses used to justify their on-screen nude scenes-- "necessary to the scene.")
But this network prime time the lady is talking about. This is television that is accessible to children.
What do you think about this, LitNutters?
http://nypost.com/2013/10/08/escaping-modern-tv/
Some years after that, the federal government sanctioned a device called the "V-chip" imbedded in the individual television unit itself. This was kind of a censoring device by which parents-- too busy or preoccupied to wrest the control of the remote out of little gripping hands-- could be assured that their kids would be blocked from less-than-wholesome fare.
It seems to me that the Family Hour has gone the way of Pac Man, and I don't know whatever happened to the V-chip. But after reading an essay by Naomi Schafffer Riley (http://nypost.com/2013/10/08/escaping-modern-tv/) I've found that apparently network prime time has stepped into some spicy terrain. Apparently the broadcasting networks have shaken loose the restraints of G-rated fare, maybe eschewing the slightly edgier PG label.
According to the article, characters in sitcoms make salacious references and mouth dialogue that would make Dr. Ruth blush. Evidently the double entendres turn the air bluer than All-Temperature Cheer.
Do you yourself watch network sitcoms? Do you allow your children to watch them --or more importantly--hear them? What do you think about Ms. Riley's observation?
I watch cable TV all the time. I like many of the programs on HBO, and the profanity and violence doesn't bother me. (Though I do think that sometimes HBO includes profanity just because it can; much of it is extraneous and not really --as actresses used to justify their on-screen nude scenes-- "necessary to the scene.")
But this network prime time the lady is talking about. This is television that is accessible to children.
What do you think about this, LitNutters?
http://nypost.com/2013/10/08/escaping-modern-tv/