The TV-Violence Crackdown: Here It Comes

Its not the amount of violence that bothers me, its the unrealistic portrayal of it. (I mean, what's it been, 12 "hours" since Eric Balfour was shot in the arm on 24, and he's not even favoring the arm anymore--let alone using the sling. )

Speaking of 24... is Ricky Schoeder being groomed to take over for Keifer?

Re: Ricky -- that's "Rick" to you! -- that has been theorized. I'm skeptical, and God help them if that's the case, because I can't remember a less likeable major character they've introduced (without the intention of quickly killing him off a la Sean Astin).

Well of course we need to censor content on TV. Any media for that matter. Why, why, why it could lead to unnatural acts like, like......dogs and cats having sex. Americans are not smart enough to know what is good for them. We need Bill O'Reilly and the gubmint "looking out" for us.

I managed to catch up on last week's episode of 24 plus last night's too. I've loved the show, defended it and even accepted my own denial over it. Last night I could no longer keep up the delusion. It has SO jumped the shark this season. It is just bad. I too have wondered if Rick is Keifer's replacement. I'd bail if I were him. He's ridden this cash cow about as far as it will get him.

I must confess that I watched only the last ten minutes of 24 last night. Next week I may not even do that much. I don't believe I've ever missed an episode, and I actually liked the opening four hours this season, but the show has been on a straight downward trajectory ever since the bomb went off in Valencia.

I love Americans!
I can pretty much assume Australia has the same number of TV's as America and the same shows.
Yet the last massacre we had guns were banned.
Not TV shows.
I am VERY sure which solution works!

PS why not create Militia's and only allow members to bear arms?

I confess to never having watched "24". Since my emotionally stunted eldest brother, who thinks that violence is the solution to all problems that can't be solved by tax cuts, likes it, I was pre-warned not to waste my time. And I have to understand why Ronski thinks Americans are quaint. Regulating TV shows before handguns is a peculiarly American emotional foible.

Nonetheless, I have to question why the author appears resigned to the regulation of sex, but outraged by the regulation of violence. Stephen King once argued that gratuitous killing in art is the real pornography. On a personal level, I remember as a child losing my taste for "Bonanza" when I started counting how many bodies casually dropped from the screen with each show. So, I have to admit having mixed reactions to this column....

Wonder if 24 is shown in the middle east?
It could be the cause of all their problems!

Honestly, with instances like this it seems that the general public appears less and less eager to bear their own responsibilities. Yes, let the government decide what is best for us. That way when anything goes wrong we have someone to blame. It's a subtle tactic to actually limit our liberties.

I missed 24 'cause I'm out of the country. Or rather I should say I didn't get to see it because I'm out of the country...

tc125231: Actually, I've been vocally opposed to the way the FCC regulates sex/indecency as well--for starters see the article, linked above, that I wrote after the Janet Jackson incident. It's just that the censors--seeing a political opportunity--are after violence now, so that's the aspect I wrote about here.

'Re: Ricky -- that's "Rick" to you! '

actually, he's back to using "Ricky" again, at least according to 24's opening credits. I'm not worried about him being unlikeable, however (who liked Karen Hughes/Jayne Atkinson last season?). I just think Schroeder been so wooden on the show that he makes Keifer look like DeNiro.

I stand corrected. That's "Ricky" to me!

I just want to say I love your blog. That's all.

I'm sticking with "The Ricker."

It's sad when our government creates laws in a solely reactionary way; which is what our politicos seem to do all the time anyway.

I remember a time when parents actually parented...even when they were working more than one job...and I'm not that old.

But, the way things work will continue as long as people do not take an active part in our governing. If it passes, it shall simply be what we deserve.

I don't care what they do to the networks or even cable, but if the FCC ever, EVER comes after my HBO then I'll have to go on a hunger strike or something.

I'd be willing to give up some violence in exchange for a few F-bombs and gratuitous sex. Isn't it better to have our children swearing and fucking than shooting each other?