The July 20^th episode of Greek on ABC clearly demonstrates the inaccuracy of the TV ratings system.  Parents relying on the TV Ratings or the V-Chip to protect their children from graphic sexual content would have been let down, because this TV-14 episode did not carry either the “S” or “D” descriptors.

The main character, Casey, is dealing with the news that her boyfriend, Evan, slept with another woman, Rebecca.  When Casey finds out that Rebecca is an important pledge in her sorority and the Zeta Beta president thinks there should be no punishment for Rebecca, she becomes even more enraged.  The episode revolves around dialogue pertaining to Evan’s liaison with Rebecca, and Rebecca’s lack of remorse for sleeping with Evan:

Casey: "I found out you sorta had sex with Evan Chambers."

Rebecca: "I did.  Rush night, and it was amazing..."

Casey: "Okay, please stop talking.  Evan Chambers is my boyfriend."

Rebecca: "Oh my God, how awkward for you.  Are you guys breaking up?"

Casey: "Um, no, anyway.  I just wanted to say at Zeta Beta for a sister to hook-up with another sister's boyfriend -- it's considered bad form."

Rebecca: "Well, I had no idea he was your boyfriend at the time."

Casey: "Of course!  And, and I'm just offering some advice, in the spirit of sisterhood.  Maybe you want to take the time to get to know a guy before you hook up with him, like see if he's in a relationship."

Rebecca [sarcastically]: "Interesting, that's some pretty great advice.  You must be pretty perfect to dole out that kind of advice."

Casey: "I'm not saying I'm perfect."

Rebecca: "Well, we agree on something.  Because I know I'm not perfect."

Casey: "Let me rephrase..."

Rebecca [unapologetically]: "No, I get it.  I hooked up with your boyfriend and I'm sorry for you about that.  But I'm not going to apologize to you for doing it.  Can I offer your some sisterly advice?  Maybe you should spend a little less time on your sisters, and a little more time on your boyfriend."

Just as Casey thinks she cannot get back at Rebecca, she receives a video message on her phone from some unknown sender which shows Rebecca having sex with Evan.  Although the screen that Casey is viewing the video on is small, it is clear what is going on and the clip is rather intense.  The video depicts Rebecca on top of Evan, with out a shirt, with a clear instance of Rebecca thrusting while kissing Evan.  Casey decides to use the video evidence to blackmail Rebecca and threatens to post it on the internet.

Though the rating is TV-14 indicating that it is not intended for viewers under the age of 14, parents of teens would have been caught off guard by the intense sex scene between Rebecca and Evan which was not signaled by the presence of an “S” descriptor.  Parents would have also been unprepared for the heavy sexual dialogue (with no discussion of risk, responsibility or consequences) because the episode carried no “D” descriptor.  The TV-14 rating alone did not give parents adequate information to judge the appropriateness of this episode for their teen.  The best way to warn parents of questionable content would be to properly and consistently apply the content descriptors.

For more information about the TV ratings, please visit http://www.tvguidelines.org/contact.asp. 

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.