OPRAH show indecent???

[pw2pp]

Found this on another site:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0504044oprah1.html

 

[Serena]

Oh no! We just can't have an intelligent conversation with teenagers about a subject that is important. I didn't see it, but from past shows I'm sure she told the parents more than once that it was not appropriate for small children.

 

[shatzjsl]

I read that yesterday and couldn't believe it. I'm surprised that part didn't get edited out.

 

[auntie]

I am the mother of a teenage daughter...and did see part of this show. What was disscussed is what is happening in the lives of kids this age. I have found that many parents look the other way, and think that things are not much different than they were when they were in high school. These teens today face very different issues...sex being one of them. The culture that they have been raised in is very different from the one twenty years ago. Even if you think your home..and your guidence will off set that. This is what our kids go to school with and deal with when we aren't with them. Sex is HUGE. It is a part of their music, the tv/movie viewing..it is so different from what we as parents want it to be for them. It is a tremendous part of teenage culture. To think we just tell them to wait...(and lord knows I've done that) or to be careful..isn't really the issue. They are exposed on a daily basis to things we only THINK we know about. It's like the folks who went crazy after the Janet Jackson episode...well, honestly what is it that you think your kids have been looking at..if they watch MTV they have had quite the sex education already. The videos are sometimes nothing short of soft porn. This is what they watch and what they listen too..and we need to pay attention to it..and not ignore it. But also...we need to address the realalities of it. And those happen to be sex...or what these kids think is sex. It is not something cherished or between a couple. Kids have an entirely different take on it. It's drilled into their brains from when before they are teens...and watching and listening to a culture that thinks it's kind of cute when 10 year olds dress in belly shirts..but are surprised by a permiscuous behavior of a 14 year old. They get such mixed messesages. But to say just take it off or don't show it...well that's not the answer to it. Just like saying Oprah shouldn't be discussing this in the afternoon...well they do tell you this is a subject that is not for the entire family. It is meant to inform...and maybe clue some folks into what their kids are really dealing with. I found what I saw of the show to be informational...and worth listening to. Well of course you don't need to explain this to a 3 year old..but why is a 3 year old looking at Oprah? I also have a 12 year old..and felt it wasn't for him yet..however from what my 17 year old tells me...the show was right on the money. Oprah isn't a shock jock shouting out obscenities for ratings, she is providing what she thinks is valuable information her viewers will find relevant to their lives.

 

[pjlla]

I am the only one who noticed what the initials of the organization that that person who wrote the letter claimed to be a part of spelled out???? And I am no rocket scientist but ..... I believe in the letter it stated that she was part of the "Citizens against Unclean Network Trash"...........C U...... Could this possibly have been a joke?? How is it possible that I am the only one who picked this up?? Maybe my mind is in the gutter! I don't watch Oprah, so I cannot comment on the show. But if the show VERY CLEARLY stated that it was not appropriate for younger viewers, then I suppose the people complaining don't have much of a case. But I do think that it is inappropriate for that kind of talk to be on during the daytime hours. But then again, most TV outside of Nick, Nick Jr,Disney channel, and HGTV is probably inappropriate for children!!......P

 

[disykat]

I didn't read the link - but here's my two cents anyway. Oprah is not a show for children even though some of her shows are fine for kids. My kids are 8 and 11 and I still don't watch Oprah, Dr. Phil, etc. in front of them unless I am sure the content is appropriate. Much of daytime tv is not meant to be seen by children.

I'm pretty sure I know what show they're talking about. I saw it and thought it was a subject that needed to be brought to parents attention. I know it added to my list of things I need to discuss with my kids.

 

[Melora]

I was just showing this thread to Jeff who noticed what the letters spelled....!!!!

Anyone notice that the perosns name is blacked out but the name Sharon Jensen is left ont he letterhead??

Seems odd to me... the whole letter sounds like a joke!

 

[Desiree]

If you notice on all the letters, the name Sharon Jenson appears. I think that is the person who printed out the letters. Maybe a secretary at the company where those letters where addressed too.

I didn't see the episode, but I do think that the show should have at the very least come with a warning at the beginning and right after the commercial breaks.

 

[teh fish]

I do believe that the point was not about innappropriateness for children, but for the FCC's double standard when it comes to who they punish.

 

[preshi]

Originally posted by teh fish
I do believe that the point was not about innappropriateness for children, but for the FCC's double standard when it comes to who they punish.

It's ridiculous if you ask me.

 

[Ragmop]

Color me "stoopid"............I have teens and I don't know what those expressions mean.

 

[disneygals]

My 11 year old told me what one of terms meant months ago, not in relation to the Oprah show (which I haven't seen).

auntie...great post. Many parents need to get their heads out of the sand! At this point, my dd tells me much, but I'm sure not all, that she hears and sees.

 

[wvjules]

We just can't have an intelligent conversation with teenagers about a subject that is important.

You're kidding about this, right? I know several teenagers that can have intelligent conversations about many different subjects.

 

[kasar]

Everyone, by now, should know that talk shows often feature these topics. It's one of many reasons why the TV does not come on in our house during the day (sure, I'd love to watch some of the shows but what am I going to do, lock myself in my room?). I know it's out there, I just don't want to deal with it when I'm trying to cook dinner, help with homework, deal with sibling fights, etc.

I think those letters are a joke. Some people have WAY too much time on their hands.

 

[septbride2002]

I do believe that the point was not about innappropriateness for children, but for the FCC's double standard when it comes to who they punish.

EXACTLY! If Howard Stern says some of the phrases on the air that were used on Oprah's show he is fined millions of dollars.

For the most part the letters are written by Howard Stern supporters so I'm sure some of them did put in stupid items to raise an eyebrow - rather then put in a good intelligent arguement.

The fact of the matter is the FCC is trying very hard to be the morality police in a genre that needs to be black and white. If Howard Stern is fined for saying certain phrases - why is Oprah not fined?

~Amanda

 

[teh fish]

i think it's funny that he was fined b/c of something a caller said on air. You can't really control that, unless it was pre-recorded.

 

[auntie]

I think that the show Oprah featured was trying to educate...and you were told what the content was....and you can make a decision as to whether you should continue to watch or not. In the case of Howard Stern...it is for pure shock value....and part of the entire culture to which I refer. Our teens are so desensitized to this type of stuff..it really isn't shocking to them anyway...only the parents who suddenly realize what's up with their kids and wonder how it happened. By allowing shock type personalities to contribute to their kids culture..thinking it's harmless.

 

[airhead]

....Doesn't matter how you feel about Stern,the fact is,he would be fined for the same material Oprah aired at 4pm. I saw her show,and was kinda surprised that it was allowed even though she stated many times that it wasn't for young kids. Hey,Stern is the first to say his show isn't for kids either!! IMO,the only ones who should be cencoring material are PARENTS!!!!

 

[momof2inPA]

O.K. I don't know what tossed salad means, and the only way I know about the rainbow thing is from watching that part of the show. I wish they would air it again, so I know what teens are talking about. Just learned what a meterosexual is from my husband's boss.

I do think there is a big difference between educating parents about these terms on the Oprah show and hearing Howard and his crew use them. It's like the library stocking National Geographics with pictures of naked people vs. Penthouse.

 

[MosMom]

I doubt Oprah's show is simply out there for informational purposes. She knows those shows will create ratings and make her money. I haven't found anyone who had heard of those terms (including teenagers) until the show was aired. I think the topic and terms were sensationalized for ratings. Oprah is NOT National Geographic, far from it.

I think more kids see Oprah everyday than hear Stern too! I've known plenty of friends who are watching Oprah with their kids in the room. Most parents wouldn't let their kids near Stern with a 10 foot pole. Kids will most likely learn more about sex from Oprah than Stern.