Worst TV Show of the Week 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!!!

Big Shots on ABC

In its first two weeks ABC’s new drama Big Shots has been an appalling example of TV programming.  Far better suited to cable (if not premium cable), Big Shots exhibits no redeeming values for family viewers.  The October 4^th episode (10:00 p.m. ET) featured heavy sexual dialogue, adultery, depictions of sex, transsexual prostitution, and graphic references to a man having his testicles waxed -- making it an obvious pick for Worst of the Week.

In the program, four men who have achieved success in their professional lives band together for a friendship with one major thing in common: sexual hedonism.  In just this one episode, Duncan sleeps with a reporter multiple times, to convince her not to disclose that he received oral sex from a transvestite prostitute; Brody seeks to spice up “sex night” with his wife by agreeing to have his “boys” waxed; Karl goes to counseling, where he is confronted with his inadequacy not only in his marriage but also with his mistress; and James struggles with forgiving his wife, who has been engaged in an affair with his recently deceased boss.

The sexual content of Big Shots is far too explicit for prime-time broadcast television, and this alone merits the program being deemed Worst of the Week; but the underlying theme of the show is perhaps its most dangerous quality.  Big Shots reinforces stereotypes of the classic male sexual double-standard that it is okay, even expected that men will cheat on their wives and have promiscuous sex, but a woman who engages in the same behavior must immediately be outcast and can never be forgiven. In this episode, two of the four plotlines involved infidelity.  In one scenario Karl is the adulterer; his segments of the show are depicted as comical and light-hearted, with humorous music playing during his sexual escapades. The consequences of Karl’s actions -- and their effect on his wife -- are thrown to the wind.  But in the other storyline, a highly dramatic and agonizing drama unfolds when James learns of his wife’s affection for another man.  James is depicted as a deeply wounded victim, and his wife’s actions are portrayed as hurtful and destructive.  The double standard is glaringly obvious, and is harmful and offensive to both men and women. It tells women that it is acceptable for men to betray them with impunity; but it also reinforces the notion, so prevalent on television and in society today, that fidelity and decent behavior are simply not to be expected from men -- because men are incapable of self-control, and can always be counted upon to live down to their basest instincts.

It is not positive or healthy for promiscuous behavior by either sex to be depicted on prime-time television; but to show such behavior as acceptable for a man is doubly harmful and irresponsible on the part of the program’s writers.

The content on Big Shots is highly problematic for broadcast television at any hour. Parents are urged to take great caution with this particular show.