Network television is really becoming a cesspool.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The language doesn't actually bother me either; however, when you're "old" like me and you see how much TV has changed from even the 70s when you couldn't say anything remotely cussworthy, it sort of takes you aback. Heck, George Carlin had a whole comedy routine on the 7 words you couldn't say on TV. I wonder what the number is down to now.

I don't believe the B-word was one of them.

I had a professor who played this in class once. But we were television majors and the subject was FCC rules and the magical *beep* censor.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I was watching the TNT the other night. I couldnt wait to watch Ray Ramano's new show, "Men of a certain age" I counted 12 times the sh@% was uttered. I was shocked. Since when is that word allowed on network TV?

If I am not mistaken (and I could be....)---

The rules apply to the over the air signal and the subscription channels don't quite follow the same rules.

TNT is not considered network.

Network would be ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and WB are what is around now.

Someone with more recent knowledge can update this. This is just what I learned back when earning my degree several moons ago.

 

[FireDancer]

Oh FireDancer has some libertarian in him.

ETA: I hope that's not considered a political statement. lol

I would say that is a very accurate statement.

 

[HonnyDipp]

If I am not mistaken (and I could be....)---

The rules apply to the over the air signal and the subscription channels don't quite follow the same rules.

TNT is not considered network.

Network would be ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and WB are what is around now.

Someone with more recent knowledge can update this. This is just what I learned back when earning my degree several moons ago.

Quite possibly. But in my area its considered basic cable. So these days in order to hook up a TV, TNT & TBS comes with it. So to hear that word on basic cable was just amazing! I couldnt believe it!

 

[Micca]

The words don't bother me, but I don't have small children to be concerned with. A lot of people use this language in real life so I'm thinking the usage described here is pretty mainstream. Whether that is good or bad is another discussion, but that's my observation.

 

[pixiewings71]

This is why we DVR just about everything and watch it later. Most of the shows we enjoy are on while the girls are still up and while we do let them watch with us at times we usually watch after they are in bed.

 

[Pikester]

I remember watching an episode of The Closer on TNT and heard the A-word (the longer one that has hole in it) said for the first time. I think my jaw dropped to the floor!

I also remember the first time I ever heard the S-word (term for a woman who sleeps around) on TV. Wow!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The most shocking thing to me lately was the commercial for the wireless charger (Powermat on YouTube if you are interested). As a cesspool watcher I thought that commercial was pretty shocking.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The language doesn't actually bother me either; however, when you're "old" like me and you see how much TV has changed from even the 70s when you couldn't say anything remotely cussworthy, it sort of takes you aback. Heck, George Carlin had a whole comedy routine on the 7 words you couldn't say on TV. I wonder what the number is down to now.

I'm not going to provide a link, but thirty years later two of the words are heard on television - and the B word was never on the list.

 

[sbell111]

House does having something at the beginning that says "viewer discretion advised." But then it's on at 7 pm. What happened to those type of shows being on at 9 pm? ...

It's on Fox. 'nuff said.

I'm not going to provide a link, but thirty years later two of the words are heard on television - and the B word was never on the list.

Carlin also made up that list. There wasn't an official list of words that couldn't be said (and if there was, it would have been longer than seven).

 

[kaytieeldr]

I was watching the TNT the other night. I couldnt wait to watch Ray Ramano's new show, "Men of a certain age" I counted 12 times the sh@% was uttered. I was shocked. Since when is that word allowed on network TV?

That's not network - it's cable.

 

[bicker]

I'm far more shocked and dismayed about how much intolerance is depicted on television. Words are just words, and people showing skin (another thing some folks get concerned about seeing on television) are both pretty innocuous, as compared to people insulting each other due to their political and religious perspectives, or television dramas presenting intolerance for others in anything other than a negative light.

 

[bicker]

If I am not mistaken (and I could be....)---

The rules apply to the over the air signal and the subscription channels don't quite follow the same rules.

Mostly correct. The FCC is authorized to regulate content only on over-the-air broadcast channels. There are no (federal) regulations whatsoever that apply to content on cable television service.

Beyond that, there are separate regulations that apply to over-the-air broadcast channels before 10PM local time and after 10PM local time. They could generally present cuss words and show nudity after 10PM if they wish.

Quite possibly. But in my area its considered basic cable.

"Basic cable" is vague. There are two services that fall into that category. "Limited basic" carries all over-the-air broadcast channels and public access channels. "Expanded basic" also carries cable networks like TBS and TNT.

If you want the real "basic cable" then you need to ask for it explicitly. Otherwise you won't really be getting "basic cable", but instead you'll be getting some advanced service that includes cable networks.

Besides general adherence to over-the-air broadcast regulations, the other advantage of the real "basic cable" service, limited basic, is that it costs a lot less -- between $8 and $20 per month, instead of $35 for family tier expanded basic or $60-$80 for full expanded basic.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Mostly correct. The FCC is authorized to regulate content only on over-the-air broadcast channels. There are no (federal) regulations whatsoever that apply to content on cable television service.

Beyond that, there are separate regulations that apply to over-the-air broadcast channels before 10PM local time and after 10PM local time. They could generally present cuss words and show nudity after 10PM if they wish.

Thank you for the clarification
--I was going solely on memory and there are cobwebs where my Bachelor's degree coursework used to be in my head.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Yesterday on General Hospital, one of the characters said, "Shut up! You want to act like a man but you're acting like a little (female dog)!!" I have to say I'm quite shocked that female dog would be used in that context without shame on network TV. Is anyone else shocked? Because I am.

Not to mention that the "female dog" comment is typically reserved for women. So it was a kind of a misogynistic statement.

I was a little surprised at that line on General Hospital yesterday, but I wasn't offended by it at all. That show, in particular, has been using more and more questionable language lately. But, it gets past the censors and the producers must think it adds something to the show.

If you think about it, that line really was appropriate for the situation. Michael (the 17 year old mobsters son) has been getting too big for his britches lately. He wants to be just like his dad but he's too young and inexperienced to have any idea what he's doing. His Uncle Jason (and mobster dad's right-hand man) had to put him in his place. That lanugage was pretty mild for what Jason would really say if it was a real-life situation.

 

[LoraJ]

NM lol

 

[Jennasis]

I have no problem with "colorful metaphors" on network tv or anywhere else. I long for the day when the F-bomb is de riguer.

 

[catycatcat4]

Search youtube for unnecessary censorship if you have not seen it.

 

[bicker]

Appeals Court Thows Out FCC's Indecency Policy
Calls enforcement "unconstitutionally vague and chilling"

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/13/2010 1:15:32 PM

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals has thrown out the FCC's indecency enforcement policy as unconstitutionally vague and chilling.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/454718-Appeals_Court_Thows_Out_FCC_s_Indecency_Policy.php

It is about time that the FCC was held accountable for the "chilling" effect their over-reaching may have on the content that television networks offer us. Viewers have the ultimate control over what content contains - the on/off switch. Governmental censorship is definitely unacceptable.

 

[AndreaDM]

I just think it's funny that people who watch soaps are offended by the language. Seriously, soaps have been nothing more than soft core porn from the beginning! Yes, I admit it, back in the day I was addicted to Days for a few years - *hanging head in shame*. Everyone is always sleeping with their spouse's sister, father, brother, son, you name it. Calling someone the B word is pretty mild compared to the rest of the shenanigans going on in the hospital!