The Filth Being Shown During Prime Time on Network TV

[Pluto Region1]

Well, I was really shocked today by the trash being shown on prime time television. I don't usually watch any network television, but tonight, in the women's locker room at my gym, they had the CW network on. This is Channel 5 in the Los Angeles California area. Usually the televisions at the gym are set on either Channel 7 or ESPN. Anyway, it was 5:30pm and they were showing this cartoon, which I thought at first was maybe the Simpsons, but as I watched it, I just got more and more disgusted. It was just one potty humor joke after another and lots of crude sexual dialog, showing people in suggestive sexual situations, etc. And even some obscene scenes in this cartoon. I hung around long enough to catch the title, which is "Family Guy." I guess this is an award-winning cartoon, but it was the crudest thing Ive ever seen and what is so shocking, is that it is on network television when children would likely be watching. I don't consider myself a prude or close-minded; I watch South Park from time to time on cable, but this was just really smutty humor that seemed to go for the lowest common denominator. When they weren't engaging in sexually explicit discussions, there were fart or potty jokes. If this is what network television has come to, safe to say I haven't been missing much. Parents really need to monitor what their kids are watching. If I was a parent, I would be calling CW and lodging a complaint. This is an adults-only cartoon that should not be shown during early hours, if at all, on network television. Maybe this is why so many parents have their kids watching the Disney channel.

[Siren]

I am a parent and I don't like Family Guy. But I am a parent. My TV is not a parent. I have control over what my child watches. Its the idea that the crazy. They give ratings for TV shows. So parents have a choice, either monitor what their kids watch and/or get a TV or cable box where you can make certain ratings password protected. And the only way kids can get around password protected programs is if the parent gives it an easy password for the kid to know.

I am SICK of movies, tv shows, music, etc being blamed for all these kids problems. I have a 9 year old daughter. I monitor what she watches and how much she watches. She is MY responsibility. If she watches a "bad"show that is MY fault. NO ONE else's.

Parents who complain about time slots for certain shows need to stop being so lazy. Fact is there are a LOT of shows that are on daytime that are inappropriate for kids. I don't care. I don't let my daughter watch them. And I don't make excuses or lay blame elsewhere if I am the one who makes the mistake. This society we live in is always looking for a scapegoat. "Marlyn Manson's music caused the Columbine massacre", no the fact the parents bought their kids guns, didn't get their kids help when they burned puppies in the backyard, and didn't discipline their kids for making bombs in the garage was what caused those kids and teacher to die. Its B.S. for parents to blame ANYONE ELSE BUT THEMSELVES.

[PatrickvD]

There's a GREAT episode of Family Guy where at the end, Peter says the following:

"I agree Lois, like for instance, if you're watching a TV show and you decide to take your values from that.... you're an idiot. Maybe YOU should take responsibility for what values your kids are getting. maybe YOU shouldn't be letting your kids watch certain shows in the first place if you have such a big problem with them, instead of blaming the shows themselves.............

[looks directly into the camera]

.......yeah"

[Dottie]

Here we go again, another Family Guy discussion, but it couldn't have been the CW. They'd never show Family Guy.
I do agree however that Family Guy is not a show to be shown a 5.30. It's not for kids, but then again I think most of the kids wouldn't even get the jokes. I wouldn't have when I was kid. There's a reason Family Guy has a TV14 rating.

[thatartguy]

Could be the syndicated version.

[2099net]

I have to agree with the general vibe of this thread - there's nothing wrong with The Family Guy (apart from a Simpson's like fall from comedy of the later seasons) as such.

But it shouldn't be shown at 5.30. Over here (even before they started releasing the episodes with uncensored language, which was only put in the episodes anyway because they knew that they had a DVD audience) the DVDs were always rated 15.

Now to put that in perspective, recent films like 300, Pathfinder (unrated - but called extended over here), Zodiac and Sunshine are rated 15.

[Lazario]

as I watched it, I just got more and more disgusted. It was just one potty humor joke after another and lots of crude sexual dialog, showing people in suggestive sexual situations, etc. And even some obscene scenes in this cartoon. I hung around long enough to catch the title, which is "Family Guy." I guess this is an award-winning cartoon, but it was the crudest thing Ive ever seen and what is so shocking, is that it is on network television when children would likely be watching. I don't consider myself a prude or close-minded; I watch South Park from time to time on cable, but this was just really smutty humor that seemed to go for the lowest common denominator. When they weren't engaging in sexually explicit discussions, there were fart or potty jokes. If this is what network television has come to, safe to say I haven't been missing much. Parents really need to monitor what their kids are watching. If I was a parent, I would be calling CW and lodging a complaint. This is an adults-only cartoon that should not be shown during early hours, if at all, on network television. Maybe this is why so many parents have their kids watching the Disney channel.

I can't possibly agree more. That show is almost nothing but pure trash and they don't even try to be funny or artful. Mostly, it's just toilet humor and lame sex jokes with no actual humor. In fact, usually they just rip off jokes The Simpsons or South Park have already done.

[TM2-Megatron]

I'm not a fan of Family Guy either, however if parents are letting their kids watch it --whatever time it's on-- then I blame the parents 100%. I'd call most Soap Operas trash as well, but they're aired constantly and unmercifully starting around noon. Reality shows are the trashiest programs aired over any broadcast system on any planet in any dimension and they're aired during primetime, to the detriment of anyone roped into watching.

95% of TV sucks, yes. But it's up to parents to monitor what they're kids watch and when... not the obligation of the stations to only air certain things at certain times. That's basically just catering to idiots, in the same way Disney are catering to idiots by releasing 1-disc DVDs because parents (supposedly) don't want to risk accidentally putting in the wrong disc and upsetting their kids.

[Siren]

I find that primetime programs are better for my daughter than daytime. Soaps, talk shows, etc are total trash. Heck, I notice more commercials about erectile dysfunction during the day than at night!!!! While my daughter enjoys watching shows like Pushing Daisies and CSI (when I let her watch it with me).

[Lazario]

I'm not a fan of Family Guy either, however if parents are letting their kids watch it --whatever time it's on-- then I blame the parents 100%. I'd call most Soap Operas trash as well, but they're aired constantly and unmercifully starting around noon. Reality shows are the trashiest programs aired over any broadcast system on any planet in any dimension and they're aired during primetime, to the detriment of anyone roped into watching.

95% of TV sucks, yes. But it's up to parents to monitor what they're kids watch and when... not the obligation of the stations to only air certain things at certain times. That's basically just catering to idiots, in the same way Disney are catering to idiots by releasing 1-disc DVDs because parents (supposedly) don't want to risk accidentally putting in the wrong disc and upsetting their kids.

TM2-Megatron, let me take this opportunity to put in a nomination of that as Post / Reply of the Year. My entire neck and head area is in a near state of paralysis from laughing so hard. "That's basically just catering to idiots, in the same way Disney are catering to idiots by releasing 1-disc DVDs because parents (supposedly) don't want to risk accidentally putting in the wrong disc and upsetting their kids." If I may say, in fact- that at least needs to be nominated for QUOTE of the Year. If there is such a category.

The truth shall set us free.

The kids'll be crying and having nightmares for weeks! How insensitive could Disney be!?! They're tearing families apart! Can't they see the damage they're causing? Those kids are now traumatized! FOR LIFE! They'll grow up to be gang bangers, crack fiends, bank robbers, child molestors, and puppy kickers... just because their parents put the wrong DVD disc in the player. "WHERE'S PIGLET, I WANT PIGLET?!?!?!?!?! WHERE'S PIGLET, MOMMY I WAN'PIGLET. WAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! MOMMY- PIGLET'S NOT ON THIS DISC! WHY DO YOU HATE ME SO MUCH! GO BUY ME THE SINGLE-DISC EDITION, IF YOU LOVE ME, YOU'LL BUY THE RIGHT DISC THIS TIME, IT'S ONLY ANOTHER $25-27 BUCKS! DON'T YOU LOVE ME? WHAT DID I DO TO MAKE YOU HATE ME SO MUCH?! WAHHHHH!"

I find that primetime programs are better for my daughter than daytime. Soaps, talk shows, etc are total trash. Heck, I notice more commercials about erectile dysfunction during the day than at night!!!! While my daughter enjoys watching shows like Pushing Daisies and CSI (when I let her watch it with me).

Oh, that's all trash. It's just trash of a different color.

Only Scrubs is good and won't screw up kids for life. And Nip/Tuck is good, but not really for kids.

[Pluto Region1]

I'm not a fan of Family Guy either, however if parents are letting their kids watch it --whatever time it's on-- then I blame the parents 100%. I'd call most Soap Operas trash as well, but they're aired constantly and unmercifully starting around noon. Reality shows are the trashiest programs aired over any broadcast system on any planet in any dimension and they're aired during primetime, to the detriment of anyone roped into watching.

95% of TV sucks, yes. But it's up to parents to monitor what they're kids watch and when... not the obligation of the stations to only air certain things at certain times.

Well this is my point. When I was growing up, you didn't HAVE to monitor what your kids watched because there were decency standards in effect at that time (this was pre-cable, 1960s). Then cable came along and it was basically that shows like Family Guy would not be shown on network television and only on cable stations. Then it was, "Yes, we can show it on network channels, but only after a certain hour." Now apparently the decency standards have completely gone out the window in favor of "its the parent's responsibility" routine. (Ok we can get into a whole discussion aobut censorship, is society a better place because we can show sex on TV? etc, but that's not my point) However I was unaware of just how sophisticated the cable box controls are, so I guess it is completely possible for a parent (one who is sophisticated and watching through a cable box) to control the content stream. But, what if you're a poor person using rabbit ears at home? You can't afford cable - oh well. You're kids will have access to all this trash.

I have to agree- I've caught some of the soap operas and they've gotten alot steamier than when I was a kid. I haven't watched the reality programing but I'll take your word for it that its not much better.

Oh, that's all trash. It's just trash of a different color.

Only Scrubs is good and won't screw up kids for life. And Nip/Tuck is good, but not really for kids.

Here we go again, another Family Guy discussion, but it couldn't have been the CW. They'd never show Family Guy.
I do agree however that Family Guy is not a show to be shown a 5.30. It's not for kids, but then again I think most of the kids wouldn't even get the jokes. I wouldn't have when I was kid. There's a reason Family Guy has a TV14 rating.

Had no idea you guys have visited this Family Guy topic before... it was definitely KTLA Channel 5 here in Los Angeles and it said "CW" next to that, and it was on between 5 and 6pm, 2 back-to-back episodes.

Its also a terrible lure for kids. Because it is a cartoon, they'd stop flipping the channel when they came to it, so to me it is even more disgusting that they'd be lured into watching a sick "adults-only" show like this.

[Siren]

Lazario, that is your opinion. I have my own. My daughter is a as big a fan as Buffy as I am too

[xxhplinkxx]

Lazario, that is your opinion. I have my own. My daughter is a as big a fan as Buffy as I am too

OMGWTFLOL!!!!! I LOVE BUFFY!!!


*End of Random Outburst*

[Ariel'sprince]

The kids'll be crying and having nightmares for weeks! How insensitive could Disney be!?! They're tearing families apart! Can't they see the damage they're causing? Those kids are now traumatized! FOR LIFE! They'll grow up to be gang bangers, crack fiends, bank robbers, child molestors, and puppy kickers... just because their parents put the wrong DVD disc in the player. "WHERE'S PIGLET, I WANT PIGLET?!?!?!?!?! WHERE'S PIGLET, MOMMY I WAN'PIGLET. WAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! MOMMY- PIGLET'S NOT ON THIS DISC! WHY DO YOU HATE ME SO MUCH! GO BUY ME THE SINGLE-DISC EDITION, IF YOU LOVE YOU, YOU'LL BUY THE RIGHT DISC THIS TIME, IT'S ONLY ANOTHER $25-27 BUCKS! DON'T YOU LOVE ME? WHAT DID I DO TO MAKE YOU HATE ME SO MUCH?! WAHHHHH!"
.

Agreed,we have the same thing exactly here,we get Platinum Editions in one disc insted of two! (we got Cinderella,Lady And The Tramp and The Little Mermaid in one disc,luckley i preorded the US version of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid).
I think that we don't have over here becouse they think that only small children loved (they also dubbed (over here dubbing is for small kids only since they can't read subtitles) the whole Finding Nemo DVD,why on earth they think that 6 years old kids will want to know who Dory was almost looked like? ) which is very instulting and stupit .

[Rowlf_The_Dog]

Had no idea you guys have visited this Family Guy topic before... it was definitely KTLA Channel 5 here in Los Angeles and it said "CW" next to that, and it was on between 5 and 6pm, 2 back-to-back episodes.

My local affiliate of ... either The CW or MyNetworkTV ... airs Family Guy at that time as well ...

If you want to complain ... It's not The CW that you should be complaining to ... You would have to complain to KTLA Channel 5 ... because the episodes are in syndication ... and that station picked them up and decided to air them at that time ...

I love Family Guy ... and absolutely agree that it's for a grown-up audience ...

What I think is funny is that when South Park first started airing in syndication ... there was this big whoop made because of its language and adult content ... So it only airs late at night here (11:30pm/12am) ... So ... why didn't Family Guy get that same attention too? LOL

[Dottie]

Wow, so when shows go into syndication every TV station is welcome to buy the rights and show it? I thought the CW only showed its own stuff.

[dvdjunkie]

In Lazario's siggy:

If Republicans Were Smart - They Would Be Democrats

Nice try, Laz, but you got the title of the book wrong. That doesn't make you too smart does it.

[Lazario]

Lazario, that is your opinion. I have my own. My daughter is as big a fan as Buffy as I am too

I am not changing my opinion, I am simply elaborating on it: Trash is a word with a lot of meanings. I'm saying it's all = fodder. For people who like eye-candy, only. No real heart or guts or brains to it. Yeah, a writer can write it. But it can also turn to cheap, plastic sap. And I've seen Buffy, it's garbage. But it's fun for the people with low standards who like good-looking actors...I'm sure. I wouldn't know that from personal experience or anything.

[Lars Vermundsberget]

I haven't got kids, so I don't really worry much about that particular aspect. But I've basically stopped watching TV myself - since I agree that most of what's on TV sucks. I can't tell the percentage, but I think it's got to be pretty high "over here" as well nowadays...

As for American politics, that some of you bring up from time to time: I think it's terrible that you have just those two alternatives to choose between - which seems to reinforce the tendency to polarize: "If you aren't with us, you are against us - if you aren't with us, you are an idiot".

[Siren]

Again, that is your opinion and your entitled to it. Just like I am entitled to think your opinion is garbage compared to mine. But that's just my opinion.