There was a big argument on the Today Show on Wednesday Morning. Between Conservative Talk Show Host Laura Ingraham and David Gregory, who was sitting in for Matt Lauer. Apparently some people are confused by statements made by Laura on this program. Those of you who saw it will understand that she was on there promoting her new book which discusses, among other things, the ‘pornification’ of our culture. So she elected to bring up that many TV networks, including NBC, and many shows, including the Today Show, have a tendency to show video clips that are considered a bit inappropriate for children. Her example was that they led off with a story about Britney Spears. They showed part of her horrible performance at the VMA’s. Yes, Britney was dressed in a tight 2 piece bikini like outfit that hardly covered her not so tone body. But insults aside, MTV airs this show on cable. The Today show is on ‘regular’ TV. Her point was how many children were watching that clip at the time? It was not just Britney’s horrible dress, but her actions on stage that were suggestive. Children see this, and since Britney is still a role model for some, it influences children in the wrong way. Laura believes parents should unite against filth such as this and demand that network TV does not show things like this. Now this was just an example, remember. She has also attacked FOX News regarding their spring break footage among others. So NBC, you are not alone. This is not a question of media bias. More like media stupidity.
On the AllDAY website, which is Today’s “FAMILY” blog they attack Laura by stating that she is not a parent so basically she has no business commenting on this topic.
You can find this article here.
They state:
“While many parents, I'm sure, will agree with Laura's points, it is interesting to note that Laura herself is not a parent and has not stepped into a parent's shoes before stating what parents should do. “
What does being a parent have to do with commenting on TV programming and it's effects on children? Are they suggesting that everyone who works for child oriented TV shows and movies all have kids? Or better yet, are they suggesting that because she does not have kids that she should keep her mouth shut? Horrible. That is the same liberal mindset that is ruining our culture today. One does not need to have children to care about the future of children in general and the future of this country. Also, I'm sure they are forgetting that Laura had parents, so she knows that parental guidance is key to the development of the child.
They believe parents should just shut off the TV or change the channel so the child does not see things like this? Yes, they do. But how can you act so swiftly when these networks have clips such as these inside their shows at a moments notice? Mom will have to hold her remote in a holster and draw it like in a gun fight at the O.K. corral to switch the channel. Why show these stupid clips anyway? Why not just tell the story if they really need to report it with a generic more family oriented edited version of the video clip? The last I checked all TV networks can edit out nasty footage. They sure edit out certain statements in interviews with people that they don’t like.
Is it too much to ask that our TV networks try to be a little less risqué when it comes to a morning news/talk show such as Today? Especially since Today is a family oriented show. Is it too much to ask for them to make certain shows that are on a little less violent and remove the sexual elements? Not too many shows in the 80’s showed this much violence or sex. I don’t remember full love making scenes in the dramas of that time and the violence was certainly edited so it wasn’t too graphic. It seems ever since NY PD Blue got a way with saying the a-word and showing an actor’s backside that TV networks will try anything to stretch the limit. These shows were on at night, when networks expect children to be sleeping. But the Today show is on in the morning, and the last time I checked most kids still get up between 6 and 7am for school. I sure did when I was little.
Producers use the argument that you get more violence on the news then you do on prime time TV. I personally wouldn’t want children of a younger age watching the news. So that argument doesn’t work for me. And if in the middle of the kid’s Nick at Nite show a commercial comes on advertising some body lotion with a half naked woman in the ad, that does not sit well with me either. And why do these networks think that children have any interest in Herpes medications during their cartoons? It has happened, I’ve seen it.
Parents should always monitor what their kids watch, but if the networks are force feeding everyone with this rubbish, its very difficult for parents to be the editor of content 24 hours a day. It’s not just on TV either. Drive down certain highways in our country and see pictures for the next ‘Adult Store’ such as Penthouse or Lover’s Lane or one of those ‘sex-shops’. With a woman up on the billboard not exactly dressed in business casual attire. These are on the street for EVERYONE to see while driving by. It all goes to show you that networks, ad agencies and producers will do just about anything to make the almighty dollar even if it’s at the expense of children who shouldn’t be seeing or hearing such filth especially if it’s unavoidable.
It is in the people’s power to change these things. Laura has that exactly right.