There are a lot of things in this world that bugs me. And one thing that really gets my blood pressure boiling is when people spend their time examining insignificant issues.
The Parents Television Council released a study between basic cable and broadcast television. The study found the rate of sexual references, profanity and violence in prime-time cable series was double that of broadcast television.
Well, duh. I could have spared them hours.
The study reported that “South Park” was the most offensive show. The animated series had a per-hour combined average of 126 violent or raunchy moments.
Sure, Kenny dies every episode and Cartman fails to realize that his mother’s name doesn’t start with B, but the Parents Television Council needs to find another target. Or better yet, get a hobby - perhaps finding the number organizations that waste their time uncovering meaningless facts.
The Council’s main purpose is to advance the viewing of family shows and get rid of “unacceptable” shows. Unfortunately, there is one problem.
Everyone does not live in a family setting or look to watch family shows. In my world there are people who start their days with back-to-back two-hour classes, go to work, and then go home to study and do homework. Oh yeah, and most people attempt to have friends and a social life. So, when all is said and done it may be close to 10 p.m.
And with a daily schedule like that, the life of four mischievous, foul-mouthed kids on a animated sitcom is the perfect relaxer. “South Park” has an appeal that has grabbed an increasing amount of viewers since its debut in August of 1997.
I’m not saying the Parents Television Council’s has no purpose. I just think that it would suck if every broadcast and cable television show was directed at families.
The council needs to leave some shows alone. Although it is a cartoon, South Park is not meant for children. Eighty percent of South Park’s viewers are 18 or older said Tony Fox, Comedy Central spokesman.
Not to mention the show comes on at 10 p.m. at the earliest.
I admit I would not want my sisters, 12 and 11, or brother, 4, watching this show. But I also know my mother has them preparing for bed by 10 p.m., and sound asleep by 11 p.m.
“South Park” popular because the characters give viewers a chance to laugh at the things they would not have dared do or say as kids.
This was the Parents Television Council’s first study on prime-time cable television. I would appreciate it if they left television shows targeted to my age group and lifestyle alone. Besides, they still have not conquered the problems of network television.
Romando Dixson, a State News intern, can be reached at dixsonro@msu.edu
