Has ABC Finally Done It?

ABC-TV | 4-26-04 | Houmatt

[Houmatt]

I saw a commercial for next Friday's edition of 20/20 last night. The ad consisted of something that just left me stunned and unable to form any words, save one.

The ad is plugging a story helmed by Barbara Walters. This is the gist of it: Five couples are vying to adopt a single baby. Of course, only one will be able to, and four others will be heartbroken. Who will the mother choose?

This was followed by a shot of the four couples standing behind Walters and the mother, holding her baby, and Walters saying something along the lines of "Join me this Friday on 20/20."

The word I thought? Sick.

The question I put to you: Has ABC finally gone too far in turning the adoption of a child into what is for all intents and purposes a game show?

[Houmatt]

All comments are welcomed and appreciated.

[TXBSAFH]

As you may well know ABC is a part of Disney corp. They have been sliding into the cess pool for years. Nothing they would do surprises me.

[Peach]

Sure sounds like a reality game show.

Old Media...new ideas that aren't fresh but sick.

[ChadsDad]

Bizarre - I was stunned as well wehn I saw the promo.

[pookie18]

I'm just glad that the baby's already born. Imagine if the couples were vying for an unborn child...if no couple won, ABC would probably air a live abortion.

[C210N]

Then there is the movie "The Truman Show" where a corporation adopts a child. I don't want to see this ever happen, but I did find Jim Carrey quite entertaining in the movie, and have seen it a number of times. The movie underscores what should not happen in real life.

[WVNan]

The sickening part is the fact that they wouldn't have to be competing for the baby if so many women were not murdering their babies.

[anonymous_user]

It does illustrate how great the demand is for children to adopt, and what length people are willing to go to adopt. Maybe this will help to erode the myth of "unwanted children."

[N. Theknow]

The question I put to you: Has ABC finally gone too far in turning the adoption of a child into what is for all intents and purposes a game show?

If it's on ABC they will probably have a homosexual couple win the adoption game.

[Wright is right!]

"I saw a commercial for next Friday's edition of 20/20 last night..."

No, you saw a PROMO. A commercial is an advertisement about commerce - for a product or service for $$. A network advertisement of its own shows is a promo.

The story suggested by a network promo is rarely the story as it actually exists. They simply want to pique your interest so you'll watch the show.

Michael

[Houmatt]

None of the five couples are same-sex.

[cwb]

The first thing I thought was the Truman Show. We really aren't that far away from it.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Even the Fox network has more viewers than ABC.

[Smartass]

The problem with the mainstream media, is that they are
not reporting news, but instead, manufacturing it!
Their broadcasting 24/7, and when there is not much going
on, they then create B.S.!

[Dane]

It wouldn't surprise me if ABC turns this into a 13 week "reality" game show.

[null and void]

Yet.

[Iron Matron]

Does ABC think that using babs wahwah that it will lend seriousness to the piece?

I thought the new show "the swan" advertising ugly women getting plastic surgery and such was sicko.

My personal opinion is that babies are not prizes to be won, this should fall under "baby selling" and all parties arrested.

[Skooz]

I saw that last night, too.

Unbelievable. A "Survivor" for adoption. Pathetic.

[codyjacksmom]

This is disgusting. All they want to do is to show the pain and rejection of the "losing" couples. It seems that is the media trend...showing pain of real people. It is so sad that television had stooped to this type of low. I'm sure these couples are so desperate for a child, they will subject themselves to anything. Plain and simple....this is total exploitation.

[MamaLucci]

I saw it, and thought the same thing....sick. VERY sick.