"Shock" TV - Any Thoughts On How Far Will It Go?

[Forrrce]

To append my post on the Reality TV thread, a (sexual) penetration scene was shown on national TV a couple of nights ago. On UK TV at least, quite a few 'taste' barriers have been pushed of late. Genuine desire by the channels involed, to free up 'artistic' expression, or simply shock - it's probably a mixture of both. But what was unthinkable only months ago, has now come to pass.

Thanks to video and of late, the internet, there's very little that anyone with a VCR, DVD player or a computer couldn't watch, if they really wanted to satisfy their curiosities.

I'm wondering how far TV will go, as certain taboos are broken over time. TV reflects the gradually desensitized society to some extent, so it'll be interesting to see what will be deemed un/acceptable in ten or twenty years' time.

[Videoskooter]

Just read an article about Reality and Shock TV, were producers say that anything is possible at this moment. It all depends who wants to buy the formats. There's no limit, just the decision of the Television station itself.

I think that we are going to have more crap, nonsense and dirt for a while and then the main public will turn its back to all this humbug.

The "Big Brother For Life" version on German TV is already flopping. The purpose was to do a real version of the "Truman Show". A small village was especially created for this one but....the viewers are not really interested!

[SandraDee]

Sexual penetration shot - what's the big deal as long as all parties are consenting & the sex is safe :D ; sex is beautiful & there is nothing that should be hidden or embarrassed about IMO. I DO feel concern re increasing violence, both physical & verbal, on TV though. There is nothing nice about violence. :(

[paul]

Originally Posted by SandraDee

Sexual penetration shot - what's the big deal as long as all parties are consenting & the sex is safe :D ; sex is beautiful & there is nothing that should be hidden or embarrassed about IMO. I DO feel concern re increasing violence, both physical & verbal, on TV though. There is nothing nice about violence. :(

I totally agree.

[QUINNY]

So, if you'd censor violence you'd have to appreciate the view of those who'd censor porn or whatever. You can't have one without the other.

I personally think there's a huge difference between broadcasting suspect material and the exhibition of it via cinema, theatre or by private viewings. The on/off switch is just not a valid argument, because there could be circumstances under which the material could be viewed in advertantly or against the will of parents, due to the very fact that it is broadcast and universally available on any properly functioning TV.

Guess what? I'm for censorship to some extent.

[paul]

Not surprised Quinny.
My take however is kids have to learn to live in an adult world. I feel that we are trying to establish an unreal disney world for 'em. I'm not saying we shouldn't use discretion but if they come across something they and/or we are uncomfortable with then as adults/parents we have to discuss it with them.
While I oppose gratutious violence, I would not censor it.
Just my take.

[markydefad]

Public stoning of homosexuals & fetus worshipping shows--coming soon on your Right Wing wacko stations. :P

It's Godz will. :roll:

[markydefad]

Witchhunts, witchhunts, witchhunts!!!! :x :x :x

Burn, baby burn. Right wing Inferno. :P

[markydefad]

The above sponsored by Halliburton, hosted by Dr. Laura. :P

[Videoskooter]

Originally Posted by markydefad

Public stoning of homosexuals

Marky, I fear it's already happening on Belgian Tv. A roadseries featuring a famous lesbian was slashed by the critics and the public who concluded that this was a scandal. The "Bachelor" series that just started features a Bi-sexual girl that has to be seduced by one person out of a group of men and women: slashed as scandalous.

A show where five gays have to turn a straight guy into a fashionable man is ridiculised by press and viewers. So you see that tolerance has a long way to go over here.

The viewers here have no problem with porn and extreme violence on public television though. "Last house on the left" was shown here in uncut version and so was "Ishi The Killer".

Makes you think, doesn't it???

[JussiK]

I'm all for extreme public television and keep visioning eldery citizens filling their diapers in shock, godfearing folks getting turned on against their will, parents rushing into the room screaming, kids giggling or staring at the screen in awe when they switch to a channel and find it's broadcasting something bizarre or appalling, say, the uncut "Freddy Got Fingered" that got shown here recently, advertised as a wacky teen comedy. Someone MUST have opened their set just as the horse bit came on, or better still, the grande finale with the elephant! Ichi hasn't been shown here yet but Audition got thrown into our faces intact. Those acupuncture needles in the eyes...ouch!

[SandraDee]

I always think that parents get all of a do about racey stuff on TV 'cos they feel embarrassed themselves & cannot face having to explain things to their kids so the embarrassment factor just goes on & on through the generations. It's sad 'cos the world could be so different if attitudes changed. I s'pose the result of centuries of religious repression can't go overnight. Oh bugger, I've gone all deep & philosophical when I wanted to be light & fluffy! :-?

[QUINNY]

Steely: You're always light and fluffy, daaaarling. :lol:

I agree that the world is a tough place and to some extent kids have to be exposed to just how tough life can be, but I don't personally see any point to bludgeoning them over the head by much of what is produced and shown on TV. Isuppose there are those who imagine the world would be better if everything was out in the open, I personally just see it as an erosion of Man's civilisation and the brutalisation of humanity.

With freedom come huge responsibilities. Sadly very few people realise that IMO.