TV's serial killer chic (article by Brent Bozell)

Townhall.com ^ | October 6, 2006 | Brent Bozell III

[isom35]

I liked it (there is also a mini-OZ reunion with 3 castmembers from that show in support here). Humor includes Dexter trying to "fit in" by buying and passing out donuts to fellow cops.

[najida]

Yeah,
hook me and I'll watch.

Like CSI NY and the whole Danny/Lindsay thing....
Those folks must be reading my emails.

[EveningStar]

I never saw Oz either.

[Killborn]

Two points.

Killing bad guys is one thing. But dismmeberment and mutilation?

Also, in Dexter's list of bad guys are prostitutes. They don't deserve to be killed. Ergo, he's one of the bad guys.

[EveningStar]

Here's the official show site.

[Larry Lucido]

Okay, so he didn't struggle that hard.

[RobRoy]

I just bought "Natural Born Killers in the $5.99 bin. It is clearly an endictment of our culture and, as the film ages, it becomes quite apparent just how prophetic it was.

It'll get worse. Much worse.

[LanPB01]

Prostitutes are not on Dexter's list of bad guys, at least not in the book, and the first episode followed the book almost verbatim, so I assume he won't be after them in the TV series, either.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Its sickening premise makes a hero out of a sadistic serial killer

I question the premise of this premise.

I watched the premier, and it does not make a "hero" out of the character Dexter. He is a sick man.

[redgolum]

Like the Boodock Saints?

[nothingnew]

I don't pollute my house with TV...

Ah. Most people think I'm crazy...TVless for 7 years. (Lots of movies, which I buy) My wife wants it, but it is one of the very few things I will not back off of, even for her.

FMCDH(BITS)

[ReignOfError]

It's common throughout human history. If gladiatorial contests were broadcast on TV today, is there any doubt they would be wildly popular?

We have professional wrestling, "reality" shows, Fear Factor ... gladiatorial contests with everything but the coup de grace.

[x]

He's right about America's love affair with serial killers, but that's been going on for some time. But that's been going on for some time, and this show isn't even a drop in the bucket.

The question now is whether oversaturation will make America lose interest or whether serial killers will be a permanent fascination.

Maybe gays should be the ones complaining, though. That nice David Fisher is now playing a serial killer. That's sure to cause some confusion.

[Joe 6-pack]

"TVless for 7 years."

You have me beat by about three...I'm still somewhat apalled to realize how much of my life was wasted sitting in front of that d@mn thing!

[highball]

Either he doesn't understand the distinction between a "protagonist" and a "hero", or he doesn't care about the difference if he can score a point or two.

If the latter, it's not particularly honest. Stretching the truth to generate interest in his column.

[nothingnew]

My wife and I just moved a few weeks ago to Utah (way up) and set the TV up for our movies...she checked out the stations we might recieve over the air. We got one, CBS, not good reception. I spend most of my time reading on the pooter, and with just the background sound, found myself turning to the boobtube again and again. It was like putting a drink in front of an alcoholic.....I can have none of it as a recovering TVaholic.

FMCDH(BITS)

[Thebaddog]

Confusion is the word here. There is major confusion between right and wrong on a basic level with a good looking guy playing a crime fighting criminal. There is also a major risk of glamorizing evil here and losing the line between fiction and reality.

IMO

[Melas]

Issue number of the comic where Batman killed anyone, please.

[LanPB01]

http://www.dccomics.com/features/bmtch/1.htm

"He was a grim figure in his first years, casually killing criminals, and Bob Kane liked this dark version best-but it was not to last."

[Killborn]

What are your impressions?