|
So You Think You Can Rate a TV Show?
Brought to you by the Parents Television
Council
WARNING: Graphic
Content!!!
Do NOT push play if you don't want to see the explicit video!!! |
American Dad
on Fox
RATING: TV-14 DLV
American Dad
has without a doubt been one of the most profoundly offensive shows ever to air
on the Fox network. Parents who attempt to be responsible are undermined by the
Fox network’s refusal to rate programs appropriately -- as the episode of
American Dad aired January 6th at 7:00 p.m. demonstrated. The
episode, in which Stan promises to introduce his son to a centerfold, also
contained other sexual situations and dialogue, but was not flagged for sexual
content.
When Stan’s son Steve becomes a
successful author, Stan encourages him to become the “bad boy” of children’s
literature by offering to introduce to a Playboy centerfold. Stan hands Steve a
magazine and unfolds a picture of a sexy woman. Steve buys a huge mansion where
he can indulge his adolescent fantasies, one of which is watching “girl-on-girl
action.” (The “action” entails two women clad in lingerie playing an intense
game of chess, but the smutty reference remains.) Steve ultimately decides to
sue for emancipation from his parents. Stan is horrified and, desperate to win
back Steve’s affections, he brings the promised centerfold to Steve’s house.
Wearing only lingerie, the aged model (who had been a centerfold back in the
‘50s) dances for Steve until she collapses. The sexual imagery shown in the
episode warranted an “S” descriptor; but if Fox accurately rated their programs,
the V-Chip might actually work. Clearly this would not be in Fox’s interest.
That this offensive and highly
inappropriate program was aired at such an early hour is despicable; but the
refusal to rate it appropriately was typical of the irresponsibility viewers can
expect from Fox.
If you agree that this program was inadequately
rated, please write to the TV ratings advisory board at
tvomb@usa.net and let them know that the TV
ratings once again failed to adequately warn parents about inappropriate
content.
For more information about the TV ratings,
please visit
http://www.tvguidelines.org/contact.asp.
New to the PTC?
