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At least they got it right with saying "the simple life 2" was worst of the week.

Though everything else looks pretty frickin abysmal

See https://www.parentstv.org/ptc/fcc/fcccomplaint2.as p.

Feel free to use any of the names from the PTC as well as their business address.

Complain about crap like 7th Heaven, Full House, and the other mindless cookie-cutter crap that the networks are churning out.

I sure did!

Checking the "About Us" page of an organization's website is not really adequate research to determine the character of an organization. It's more informative to look at their actions, like this. Oh and there's also this little nugget of hypocricy. And, well, Jeff Jarvis deals with the numbers game that PTC tries to play. An organization whose membership is 0.3% of the population producing 99% of the complaints to the FCC seems a little disproportionate. All this is just the tip of the iceburg. The PTC is not the good guys they pretend to be.

Also keep in mind that these are the people who are horribly offended at the hilarious spanking incident on Angel.

What we have here is a case of a few people with no sense of humor capitalizing on a million Americans who don't realize what they're really supporting.

I typed this up on their File an FCC Broadcast Indecency Complaint form:

Dear FCC,

Please disregard and past and future complaints coming from the Parents Television Council. We're sorry. We should have been actually parenting our own children instead of asking the government and TV networks to do it for us. We apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused.

Sincerely,
The Parents Television Council


Ah, and they helpfully passed it along to no less than all 5 FCC Commissioners! The Internet is a wonderful thing.

Using its one-of-a-kind archive of over 95,000 hours of television programming, the PTC analyzes and reports on trends in TV content. It also grades sponsors and networks on the quality of their shows, and provides decision makers in the entertainment industry, the corporate community and the public at large with an up-to-the-minute, factual, and unbiased view of the state of TV programming.

source:http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/internships/ma in.asp

definately not for personal use

From their webpage, http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/aboutus/main.asp you can get the names of their top people.

Based on the fact of where the group is located, it wouldn't be difficult to find them.

In case their page gets changed, here it is:

"
To arrange a press interview with PTC President Brent Bozell, Director of Research and Publications Melissa Caldwell, Director of Entertainment and Corporate Affairs Lara Mahaney, Executive Director Tim Winter or any of the PTC's Advisory Board members, call our public relations consultant Kelly Walmsley at Creative Response Concepts at 703.683.5004. To schedule a speaking engagement with PTC President Brent Bozell, call his assistant Darlene Nelson at 703.684.1699.
"

"Miranda: "You were touching my breast."
George: "Yeah, yeah, I'm touching your breast and I'm thrusting hard into you."

shit, dick, prick, fuck, asshole, cock, Goddamn, profaning Jesus Christ.

So yes, you are absolutely correct.

Looking back at previous years, particularly 1998-1999's Worst you come across #5 which is Spin City, which states:

" The dialogue in this 9:00 series would seem more appropriate in a brothel than in New York's City Hall, where much of the action takes place. Crass and vulgar language abound, while casual sex and the homosexual lifestyle (one character is an openly homosexual male) are enthusiastically condoned while providing fodder for jokes.".

Also noted is how they did the same thing regarding homosexuality with Will & Grace (which was #2) in 1998-1999.

They're even against cross dressing, by looking at their synopsis of The Drew Carey Show for that year (otherwise they wouldn't of mentioned his brother):

" This series about a dissatisfied department store middle manager and his buddies continue to play irresponsible drunkenness, foul language, and lascivious sexual behavior for laughs. Masturbation is a favorite topic. Carey's transvestite brother has made frequent appearances this season - and has become sexually involved with Mimi, one of Drew's co-workers."

Absolutely disgusting that such an intolerant organization is there to "better the public and children".

Go read their reviews of these shows http://www.parentstv.org/ptc/shows/all.asp. Hilarious. Here's my favorite, a review of the Drew Carey Show:

In one episode Lewis tells Oswald, "Well, at least I don't live in my parents' house and abuse myself on the mattress I was conceived on." Such content makes this series a poor choice for family audiences.

If you are going to do ratings, at least be consistent.

Look at their celebrity board, there to " The PTC has organized a star-studded group of entertainment industry leaders to serve as members of the organization" http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/advisoryboard/main.as p. It's made up of country music pseudo-celebrities and has beens so far gone they make Fatty Arbuckle look relevant. Seriously, the recognizable board:

- Steve Allen
- Billy Ray Cyrus
- Naomi Judd (not the hot one, one of the fatties)
- Pat Boone

If they think this is a representative board of industry leading celebrities, it's no wonder they're so out of touch elsewhere.

Personally i like this page http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/familyguide/main.asp. Where they list all the curse words they try to block. Who knew Jesus was a swear? And since when is Queer Eye a bad show becuse it has gay guys in it?

The NY Times just recently published an article about red America's viewing habits. Surprisingly, the States that voted conservative in the last election are the same States where the highest viewing population for "CSI" and "Desperate Housewives" arise. You should read the article before NY Times starts charging for it. What does that say about America's viewing habits? "Do what I say, not what I do?"

Lastly, all this attention on the PTC should not divert attention away from the thoughtless actions of the American Family Association, who according to an NPR report the night of Veteran's Day, were poised with thousands of people ready to lodge complaints to the FCC about stations that were going to air "Saving Private Ryan" in commemoration of Veteran's Day.

Search their website for "Sex and the City". Here's the link: http://www.parentstv.org/ptc/campaigns/sexinthecit y/main.asp

I truly and deeply appreciate their sincere efforts to collect the juiciest dialogue from each episode and present it all in one place.

I think I know what the problem with kids today is.

PARENTS!

Parents use computers and television as a babysitter for their kids. Kick their asses in gear and get them outside, and not out to mcdonalds...

Groups like the PTC piss me off because they are trying to control televsion and not their children's viewing habits. Much like many people today, they misdirect their efforts. Why not educate parents on the use of the v-chip to control their childrens' exposure to television? Most parents don't monitor their childrens' computer usage, much like television. We can't let our children raise themselves until they are ready.

Think about the internet decency act.
Think about gun control.
Think about the PTC.
Think about the bush administration.

All of which are going about the solution in the wrong manner.
Parent your children. It can be hard, but you chose to bring them into this world.

Top 20 Worst Shows

I don't know what some of you are complaining about. If they can get rid of even half the shows on this list then we're all in better shape.

Besides, these people have every right to complain -- just like you. If you don't like it get organized and do something about it.

It's worth noting that the PTC is fighting for a la carte cable. So they're not all bad.

i was reading through the site and found this

https://www.parentstv.org/ptc/action/lawki/main.as p

scroll down and check out the synopsis, i didn't know there was such good stuff on tv! i'm going to stop reading slashdot a bit and find out what time this show's on

2) Family Guy
(Fox/not ranked last season)
Fox's Family Guy was unbelievably foul. This low-rated, raunchy, animated series centered on a couple, their two teenagers, and their precociously evil infant son. In its first full year, the show's creators managed to include nearly every conceivable obscenity, and references to every imaginable sexual perversion from incest to necrophilia. Series staples included nudity and references to pornography and masturbation. One episode this spring featured Peter Griffin giving his adolescent son his entire stockpile of pornographic magazines. The fact that Family Guy aired during the family hour makes it that much worse. Institutions such as the church and family were held up to ridicule on a near-weekly basis. Fortunately, The Family Guy was not picked up for next season.

Kind of shows their true colors:
http://www.parentstv.org/ptc/cartoons/2004/FREESCR EECH.gif
http://www.parentstv.org/ptc/cartoons/2003/1STAMEN D.gif

Kind of shows their true colors:
http://www.parentstv.org/ptc/cartoons/2004/FREESCR EECH.gif
http://www.parentstv.org/ptc/cartoons/2003/1STAMEN D.gif

So long as you don't send a letter to the editor:

Please keep in mind that we will not post letters that contain vulgar language and/or non-constructive comments.

Read: If we're going to censor things we disagree with, dammit, we're going all the way!

"Buffy": redlight
"Angel": redlight
"Arrested Development": redlight
"Desperate Housewives": redlight
"Tru Calling": redlight
"Lost": redlight
"Alias": redlight

"Joan of Arcadia" is listed as their #1 best show for families.

About the only shows I watch that even got a yellow light were "The Simpsons" ("Marge is a role-model") and "King of the Hill".

I'd try to check out some of the other red-lighted shows but since it seems to be most of them I'm afraid I won't have time.

He was National Finance Chairman for the 1992 Buchanan for President campaign...

I think everyone should use the http://www.parentstv.org/ptc/fcc/fcccomplaint2.asp Complaint Form on the PTC website to send positive fead back about all of the shows in the PTC worst 10 list to the FCC. If everyone on SlashDot did this we might be able to get the PTC some bad press (it would be bad press as far as they are concerned).

Check out the bio of the PTC President where he openly admits his "conservative" bias and has a couple of more links to other groups he has formed. More to be slashdotted....

How about if "liberal" bloggers flood the FCC with complaints about televangelists?

If 10,000 people each file a complaint every time one of them mentions "Sodom" or "prostitute" or "fornication" or another "adult" topic, that'll be 250,000 complaints by this time next year.

Maybe then this group will realize the value of free speech.

The shows on their bottom 10 list aren't much worse when it comes to child-safe fare.

They have:

Information about Broadcast Obscenity/Indecency Laws:

The Courts have said that obscene material is not protected by the First Amendment and cannot be broadcast at any time. To be considered obscene, material must meet a 3-prong test:

1. An average person, applying contemporary community standards, must find that the material, as a whole, appeals to the prurient (arousing lustful feelings) interest;
2. The material must depict or describe, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by applicable law; and
3. The material, taken as a whole, must lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

Indecency is defined as language or material that, in context, describes or depicts, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community broadcast standards for the broadcast medium, sexual or excretory organs or activities. Indecent programming contains patently offensive sexual or excretory references that do not rise to the level of obscenity. As such, the courts have held that indecent material is protected by the First Amendment and cannot be banned entirely. It may, however, be restricted in order to avoid its broadcast during times of the day when there is a reasonable risk that children may be in the audience. As such, broadcasts -- both on television and radio -- that fit within the indecency definition and that are aired between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. are subject to indecency enforcement action.

After reading http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/release/ 2004/1129.asp it appears they have some valid points. Five major news papers rejected two adds the FCC accepted. Absurd!

https://www.parentstv.org/ptc/fcc/fcccomplaint2.as p

Even better.

My fellow Slashdotters:

I found pr0n and prototype schematics for a $25 Linux-based Xbox while surfing the inter-net! Find it here!.


Damage done.

Goto http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/reports/ top10bestandworst/main.asp and look at their list of 10 worst shows and 10 best shows. For an org that hates mention of sex on tv, they still rate Every One loves Raymond a top 10 pick.

When emailed on this they refuse to respond.

They also hate Las Vegas because it has sexy women in it and Will and Grace because it has gay people in it.

They are about as far from main stream america as one can be.

Have you seen the PTC website http://www.parentstv.org/ ?

EVERYTHING offends these people, their jobs is to get people upset so they will donate money to them so they do not have to get real jobs.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, the fifth worst network TV show for families in this year's PTC's Top 10 Best and Worst Report, has licensed a line of toys for kids ages 8 and up. CSI features graphic scenes of blood, violence, and sex. Company Vice President and general manager of CBS Consumer Products, called it "the perfect addition to [a] successful licensing program."

Why is the PTC outraged that a highly-rated television show is creating a product for children? Because the CSI franchise often displays graphic images, including close-ups of corpses with gunshot wounds and other bloody injuries. Other graphic scenes have depicted cannibalism, a fully nude female corpse, and mutilated victims of a deranged killer. Sexual situations are extremely graphic. In the past, scenes included a brother and sister having sex, men receiving S&M beatings from a dominatrix in a sex club, pornographic snuff films, and a woman making a sex video for her 15-year-old stepson.

According to Broadcasting & Cable in a sweeps-season bid to boost ratings, CSI will enter what the CBS is describing as a fringe world of sex changes and transgenders. The show's 100th episode, which airs November 18 at 9/8 Central, is about a case of mistaken identity that begins with the murder of a transgender woman who's found brutally stabbed and mutilated. It will carry a parental advisory, "Due to adult content, viewer discretion is advised."

A CSI: Forensics Lab, which includes a microscope and fingerprinting kit, a CSI: DNA Laboratory and a CSI: Forensic Facial Reconstructive Kit (pictured above) is available now exclusively at Toys R Us. According to a CBS press release "the target age is 14 and up" but it clearly says "Ages 8 +" on the packaging.

The PTC doesn't think the recreation of blood, guts and gore should be under a child's Christmas tree this year. This so-called "toy" is a blatant attempt to market CSI and its adult-oriented content directly to children.

a link to the eponymous Parents Television Council. (Click several times! It's fun!)

I love their motto - "because our children are watching". Paternalism at its finest - television viewers must be treated as children!

(Luckily we can't air, for instance, photographs of caskets of US troops - but that's because voters, not children, are watching.)

I certainly hope these nice fellows will submit an FCC complaint if any television network tries to air "The Passion of the Christ". So much sadomasochism! So little time!

Definitely it's not the 'PC people' that oppose demonic violence. In fact, many forms of violence in entertainment are committed against supernatural beings because it's defendable in the face of political correctness to harm demons but not humans.

Instead, the sensitivity of making hell-related films is a reaction to the conservative members of American society who use the bible to criticize anything that's not like them. I tend to agree more with the Christians who thought the Exorcist was a terrific film because it tried to depict true evil. Unfortunately, the current crop of American Christianity shudders at the thought of depicting graphic evil, such as a possessed child violently masturbating with a crucifix. A movie like the Exorcist could NEVER be made in America today. This misconceived DOOM movie is a prime example of how Hollywood's creativity is being suffocated by America's conservatism.

have signed an agreement with the government to adhere to FCC rules governing decency.

Here's part of the problem: The FCC refuses to define their rules concerning decency. So they've signed an agreement with the government to adhere to undefined rules. Greaaaaaaat.

Here's another problem with your argument (going back to your grandparent post). You said that you turned the superbowl halftime show off because it was too raunchy. Well -- up until the point where you turned it off, there was no violation of "standards"...your argument doesn't add up -- at least on a legal level. Sexually suggestive dancing meets the national standards for TV-Y. It sounds like your standards are more restrictive than that. Not a problem -- but if you continue following your track, you will need to start arguing for dumping the FCC's rules and going with a local/regional system to actually represents the community standards rather than just arbitrarily making them up and going after high profile targets so it appears that they're doing their job (and to ensure that they don't lose their jobs).

I think that your logic is further skewed, however. Just because a broadcast is "beamed" into your house -- just because it's free of charge does not give an excuse to censor it. TV is not beamed directly into your head, you need a specialized piece of technology to receive it, decode it, and display it. We have been forced by our government to buy TV's with V-chips in them. If you're going to enforce anything, enforce the ratings. We've created this witchhunt, hunting the wrong things for the wrong reasons. Is the FCC going after people for inaccurately rating their programs? Hell no, they're going after the most visible targets (like Howard Stern).

I think that with most censorship proponents, however, this issue goes far beyond keeping their children away from content they don't like. If there is a technological solution, why do we need a crackdown on the content itself? Why not just enforce the ratings (especially for "family" oriented programs)? I believe it is because they want to control what we say, see, and/or hear. They want to control the "moral" direction of our country...it's not "I don't want my kids to see that" (although that's what the majority of 'em will say) -- it becomes a question of "I don't want you to say that, because I don't want anyone else to feel the same way you do about this". A perfect example is the Parents Television Council, who goes after cable tv for adult-oriented programming. They have a v-chip in their TV -- the cable network repeatedly warns that the program is graphic and unsuitable for some audiences, but I guess this isn't good enough for some people. What else could they possibly want? Hiding behind kids to push a communications/mind control agenda is pretty deplorable -- far moreso than showing off some nipples. Frankly, the control aspect of this scares me -- even if you don't want to control my mind, you should surely be able to see how this is frightening to anyone concerned with civil liberties.

...or will you not speak up until they come after you?

Why is it group's (like the PTC) descriptions (NSFW) of these offensive shows make me want to watch them? Hell, it's like when Tipper Gore somehow made me think that Twisted Sister might be worth listening to.

(Also, the PTC seems to be hung up on anal sex...)

Bozell is a media whore. If I recall, is he not the person behind the Parents Television Coalition?

Yes, he is. But I find the site very refreshing. They count the amount of times certain words are said, they have this "better-than-thou" attitude but come across only as homophobic, and if you want a collection of spicy lines for a given show, just look up its summary at the PTC site, they may have it with big red warnings like "extremely offensive content". If this is for real, these guys live in a different world.

Censorship is hardly limited to the "right-wing." You have Senator Joseph Lieberman on the board of the Parents Television Council, and Al Gore's wife as one of the main proponents of music censorship. They are many conservative Republicans who dislike censorship.

Censorship is hardly limited to the "right-wing." You have Senator Joseph Lieberman on the board of the Parents Television Council, and Al Gore's wife as one of the main proponents of music censorship. They are many conservative Republicans who dislike censorship.

Am i robbing every other station if i watch PBS?

The cliche for PBS is that you're a thief if you watch and don't contribute. Nice twist.

But what about people who actively boycott sponsors because of show content? Another free-wheeling use of the term 'terrorist'?