[Judith Anne]

Okay, we've had some time to think about it and talk it over. I'd like to bring all viewpoints together here on this thread, if we can. I know it's bad luck to say, "please be civil," but please--be civil. Thanks! ;-D

[sarasota]

Since this episode I have been very sensitive to all the sexual innuendo across the board on network television. Oprah was talking to a couple yesterday who had a bedroom renovation and she said to them, "Now are you having more sex since this took place; that's what we really want to know." Sheesh.

[narby]

There needs to be an explicit "opt in" for all television channels, both cable and broadcast. If you don't select it somehow, you never see it. Not the even the menu on the cable menu.

I this could even be done on broadcast channels like CBS, if they made a provision in the remote control sequence.

They made the "V" chip a requirement, this could be an extention of it.

[Scenic Sounds]

Thank you for posting this, Judith Anne.

We need to have an adult conversation in this country about the cultural suicide that has been taking place since the 1980's. Making MTV a pay per view site like the pervert sex channels would be a good first step.

[Argh]

I'm not sure "prudity" is a word. "Prudery" is.

[P-Marlowe]

We could force them to be a pay per view or a pay channel by taking away the ability of advertisers to advertise without negative consequences.

We need to find out who sponsors MTV and tell them that as long as they sponser this filth, we will not purchase any of their products and we will agressively seek out and by from those who refuse to advertise on MTV.

Does anyone have a list. I refuse to watch it long enough to wait for a commercial.

[azhenfud]

Even as pathetically hard-up as the free-air broadcasts have become, it boils down to teaching the children in the home what's right and wrong, what's acceptable and what's not. Parents can't afford to just say "it's a choice" - it's a responsibility parents have to children.

Teaching by example - not only by switching off the obscene, Phaggotry, perverted, filthy - on TV as a start, but teaching the reason why it's turned off carries far more weight in influencing a child.

My family won't see Fear Factor, Survivor, or those hard-ups that can't get a date except on a TV arrangement. But my child knows why we won't be seeing the garbage.

The news media is almost as bad - how many unnecessary times has the Jackson-Timberlake flop-out been aired? More than necessary.

[gcruse]

...didn't used to be that way

Tempest in a C-Cup

[William McKinley]

I would welcome a return to more modest times. It certainly would make parenting easier.

But I doubt the way will be through federal legislation. Or even statewide legislation.

It needs to be done on the county and town levels. It needs to be done using market forces when possible, rather than by government force, except when the locality is sufficiently cohesive on the matter.

And we need to do it in a way which convinces people of the merits of doing so, rather than convinces them that we are just a bunch of huffy old coots trying to spoil their fun.

[Lael]

How do FReepers feel about this? I'd like to know, and my flame suit is ON

I really don't intend to flame anybody.

Take The Travel Channel [by the way, I don't believe they have ever done this], which, by definition, is about travel and tourism...doing a story about France's Cap d'Agde nudist resort, where Family Nudity is practiced, and the 1.25 mile Beach is the ONLY place on the Planet where, if you have even a shred of clothing, you will be ARRESTED!

It is a resort which accomodates 40,000 nudists from around the world.

Should the cable Travel Channel be allowed to cover it??? Probably, very late at night, with warnings and perhaps some form of opt out switch for those who don't want to view under any circumstances. On the other hand, there are American Nudists that might want to include this place in their vacation plans [even though, being in FRANCE, they should boycott].

THAT is a far cry from the constant bombardment with Sexually suggestive fare on MTV [and if you think that is hot...just look at the fare on Spanish Cable TV!!].

Perhaps going to a Pay Per View approach is best...but something HAS to be done.

Thanks for raising the issue!!

[TheSpottedOwl]

Shame and prudery sounds a little harsh. I would prefer modesty and...well we should bring back shame. I'm absolutely shocked that Janet Jackson would pull a stunt like that. My opinion of her went straight into the toilet. I guess there really is no "normal" Jackson.

[biblewonk]

I'm guessing this isn't the post to look for Anna pictures.

[Political Junkie Too]

"Video killed the radio star!"

Who knew how prophetic those words would be?

-PJ

[azhenfud]

Thanks Mod, where ever you are, for canning #28

[He'sComingBack!]

Judith, I would encourage you to turn the TV OFF! Why would you let this immoral garbage into your house? Would you open the door to your home and invite these slovenly folks in for tea? Of course not. Therefore, I suggest you do as we did 5 years ago, cut the cable, trash the satellite dish and take control of your life. There's always DVD's that YOU can select to watch. As a bonus, you may also rediscover the wonder of reading books and you'll have much more time on your hands. Give it a try. You'll find yourself a much happier person.

[connectthedots]

The ads about treatment for herpes may not be so bad,

[jtminton]

I think that commercials should be toned down, too. Or at least run a 3 second text only message that gives a warning if it is an explicit ad. For example, beer commercials, victoria's secret. Heck, even lotion commercials are getting racy.

[cynicom]

It started downhill into the sewer when the media and left
started assulting people for their "puritanical" beliefs.
Once that was accepted it was open game to see who would go farther.

[goodnesswins]

I agree with you about the need to change all this, and there are methods by which you can block channels on Cable (I even block Disney - because I want to know BEFOREHAND what any kid who visits is going to be watching).....but, what I'm wondering about is the Closed Captioning Issue....I've heard that the lyrics from the Super Bowl Halftime "show" were printed across the bottom of any TV on mute.....and I've read the lyrics....seems to me THAT is a VIOLATION of DECENCY standards.....I've written to Michael Powell about it, but if others would take up the call, it might help more.

[sasafras]

Sounds like a good idea - lets take our families back and turn off the TV or at least get rid of cable/satellite. Why give race and porn pettlers (i.e. BET and MTV) any more money?

[MissAmericanPie]

My grandmother would have passed out at what is on tv now. I would assume few people watch anymore, I know that is the case at my house. People will talk about a television series like Law and Order, or West Wing, and I have never seen one episode of any of them.

The liberals made the comment years ago if you don't like what is on the channel turn it off, so I did, and it has stayed off. Sharing a good book and good conversation is far more satisfying. My son is studying german and sharing that, other than a few sporting events or hunting shows he doesn't watch tv at all.