Parents Television Council

New PTC Study of Streaming Services Finds Hulu Among the Most Cost-Effective, but the Worst with Parental Controls

Gary Johnson

Advisory BoardGary Johnson has written and produced numerous television shows, MOWs and feature films. He is currently Co-Creator and Executive Producer of ITV-TV's two highest rated series: Doc starring Billy Ray Cyrus as a Montana country doctor who moves to New York City and goes to work for an HMO, and Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye, inspired by the true story of a deaf woman who's amazing ability to read lips gets her a job working surveillance with the FBI. He has also been a Producer/Writer on the ITV/Lion's Gate series Hope Island, ABC/New World's Second Noah and CBS/Warner Bros.' The Client. Other television credits include writing multiple episodes of ABC/Warner Bros.' The Monroes and NBC/Warner Bros.' critically acclaimed Against the Grain. Gary co-wrote the true-life CBS/Norann TV Movie The Jordan Journey about Michael Jordan's growing up years. On the feature side, Gary has co-written a movie based on the true story of Steve Saint, a missionary's son who returns to Ecuador to continue the work of his father and his aunt to bring the word of god to what has been called the most violent group of people on the face of the earth.

Dave Johnson

Advisory BoardDave Alan Johnson has been a well-regarded writer-producer in the Hollywood community for more than a decade. He has achieved enthusiastic acclaim for the quality product he has created for such leading entertainment companies as Warner Bros., Dreamworks, Disney, Paramount, Sony, MGM, FOX, ABC, NBC, and now ITV TV. This season, Johnson serves double duty as Co-Creator and Executive Producer for ITV TV's two highest rated shows, Doc starring Billy Ray Cyrus, and Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye. Johnson has created and produced such celebrated television series as ABC's Jack's Place starring Hal Linden and John Dye (1991-1992), the critically acclaimed NBC series Against the Grain (1992-1993) starring Ben Affleck and CBS's The Client with JoBeth Williams (1995-1996). Johnson also co-created and executive produced High Incident with Steven Spielberg for ABC/Dreamworks (1995-1997). Johnson's prolific abilities are also apparent in the successful feature films he has worked on, including the thriller Chameleon starring Anthony LaPaglia and Kevin Pollak (1995), the 1996 Disney release The Blue Wall and The Jordan Journey (1999) which he co-wrote, along with his brother Gary R. Johnson, The Latter explores Michael Jordan's childhood years. He is also developing Just A Few Savages, an upcoming movie from Impact films.

Susan Howard

Advisory BoardSusan Howard has received both critical acclaim and public praise for her role as Donna Culver Krebbs on TV's Dallas. She is also a recipient of the Media Access Award for Excellence and the Soap Opera Award. Howard was recently elected for another three-year term to the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association. She has also been appointed by Governor George W. Bush to serve as a Commissioner for the Texas Parks and Wildlife. The Dallas Fan Club!

Marybeth Hicks

Advisory BoardMarybeth Hicks began her career in the White House where she scribed special correspondence and talking points for President Ronald Reagan. Today, her writing has shifted to focus on the most important job in the world—being a parent. Author and speaker Marybeth Hicks is the weekly culture columnist for The Washington Times, the general interest daily newspaper located in the nation's capital known across the country as “America’s newspaper.” Marybeth’s column “Then again…” explores issues and experiences that affect families and shape communities. Her columns are syndicated each week to several nationally prominent web sites including jewishworldreview.com, catholicexchange.com, catholicmom.com, preciousmoms.com, and mommasaid.net.Marybeth Hicks is the author of Bringing up Geeks: How to Protect Your Kid’s Childhood in a Grow-up-toofast World (Penguin/Berkley, July 2008). The book includes a foreword by child advocate Dr. Kimberly Thompson, founder of Harvard’s Kids Risk project, and has received extensive praise from leaders in media, child development and parenting, including Dr. Laura Schlessinger.Marybeth’s first book, The Perfect World Inside My Minivan–One Mom’s Journey Through the Streets of Suburbia (Faith Publishing), was selected by the Catholic Press Association as one of the three most outstanding family books for 2006. She also is a contributor to four anthologies, The Ultimate Christmas (HCI, 2008), Amazing Grace for Survivors and Amazing Grace for Families (Ascension Press, 2008) and Amazing Grace for Mothers (Ascension Press, 2004).She has appeared on ABC World News, Oprah and Friends Radio, NPR, Fox and MSNBC.com, as well as dozens of regional TV and radio shows. Bringing Up Geeks has been written about in The New York Daily News, the Chicago Sun Times, Boston Parent’s Newspaper and on countless blogs including the Wall Street Journal’s “Juggle” blog, as well as strollerderby.com, urbanbaby.com, GoodHousekeeping.com and Yahoo’s Shine.A popular radio personality, Hicks appears regularly on several national and regional radio programs including Morning Air, the flagship morning drive show on Relevant Radio; the SonRise Morning Show (EWTN, January 2009) and the Michigan Talk Networks syndicated The Big Show with Michael Patrick Shiels. After the White House, Hicks worked as a professional communicator for educational, healthcare and corporate institutions. A Michigan resident, she was a gubernatorial appointee to the board of the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund. She currently serves on the advisory board of Eduguide, a national non-profit that promotes school success.Hicks is a graduate of Michigan State University. She and her husband of 21 years, Jim Hicks, a law professor, are the proud parents of four children: Katie, 19; Betsy, 16; Jimmy, 14; and Amy, 11. Visit www.marybethhicks.com

Will Gardenswartz

Advisory BoardWill Gardenswartz brings to the PTC an extraordinary background and a wealth of experience in marketing, media and cable television. He helped to conceive, build, commercialize and manage new business units within large, complex organizations like consumer food giant McDonalds; consumer marketing firm Catalina Marketing; and the cable television industry pioneer TCI (TeleCommunications, Inc.). As a patent-holder and an entrepreneur at heart, Will has played key leadership roles in small, venture-backed companies as well as assisting in a number of high-profile business turnarounds. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Stanford University, and a Masters of Business Administration from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Will is a native of Denver, CO and he resides with his wife and son in Laguna Beach, CA.

Tim Conway

Advisory BoardTim Conway is known to his peers as “the comedian’s comedian,” and is widely considered one of the funniest men performing today. Born in Willoughby, Ohio, Tim had a fast rise in show business from staff member of a Cleveland TV station to star of television, stage and screen. Tim became a regular on The Steve Allen Show, a featured performer on McHale’s Navy, and eventually became a regular performer on The Carol Burnett Show. Tim starred in a series of his own TV shows and has won five Emmy Awards for acting and one for writing. His movies include The World’s Greatest Athlete, The Apple Dumpling Gang, The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, Dear God, The Longshot, The Billion Dollar Hobo, They Went That Way and That Way, The Prizefighter, The Private Eyes. (The last five movies, Tim wrote himself.) Has also been inducted into the TV Hall of Fame. Tim received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989 and is actively involved in several charities. Website: www.timconwaylive.com/

Nicole Clark

Advisory BoardNicole Clark, a former Elite International model, produced Cover Girl Culture to help bring about positive change in the media. She gained valuable insights into the inner workings of the fashion & advertising worlds and has become an expert on the impact the media has on our girls, namely the sexualization of girls, celebrity-hype, and the pressures on girls to be thin and pretty. Nicole's mission is to create a CLEVER GIRL CULTURE! She speaks as an expert for various groups, including the PTC. She is a contributing writer for Maria Shriver's Open Field Network. She now offers workshops to schools and youth groups. Nicole believes "it is time to step-up and be responsible about what is important in life and have integrity in the media/advertising world with regards to teens and children. Being thin, pretty, sexy, and having lots of ‘stuff’ is not what brings happiness. Yet this is the fervent message young girls receive hundreds of times every day. "Nicole is determined to reach as many girls as possible with her message in order to help girls understand how the media operates, the truth about size zero body-shape nonsense, to analyze celebrity culture, the power in critical thinking, and to encourage girls to become media renegades who have the ability to shape the media. Nicole was chosen for the Mayor’s List in 2010 for her continued work empowering girls and raising awareness about the issues addressed in her film. She is developing a half-day workshop for girls. (June 2013) Nicole is currently in production on an educational dvd project for schools and girls' organizations. She also has a second documentary in post and has finished a special supplementary DVD entitled Seeing Through the Media Matrix, to follow Cover Girl Culture. Nicole has been on CNN 'American Morning',Fox News, CNN's The Joy Behar Show (Aug 2011), CTV Canada AM, CTV Provincewide, was featured in Ms. Magazine and several radio shows including NPR’s Charlotte Talks, the Laura Ingraham Show and many more. Co-author of two acclaimed children’s books that teach emotional intelligence "The Oceans of Emotions" and "Adventures in Dreamtime".

John Carvelli

Advisory BoardJohn is a Director and EVP of the Liberty Dental group of companies. Liberty Dental is a dental managed care insurance company. John recently completed a multi-year project as President and director of the former Lincoln Hospital Medical Center, Inc. in Los Angeles, CA. The project included the management and work-out of one of the oldest and largest community clinic organizations known as Clinica Medica Familiar. In 1996 Carvelli established Empire Pacific, LLC, a business and public affairs consulting company. Empire Pacific and affiliates, provide business and public affairs services for healthcare, financial and information technology companies. Carvelli has been active in numerous political, legislative and campaign activities for approximately 25 years. He served as a press aide to former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley of New Jersey and for a member of the California State Assembly in 1986, John served as manager of a CA statewide political campaign for Lt. Governor. Carvelli was a delegate to the CA State Republican Party and is the Chairman Emeritus of the ‘400 Club of the Republican Party of Orange County.In 1984, Carvelli received a BA degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. While in Washington, D.C., Carvelli also worked for the Republican National Committee and in The House of Representatives. During the 1980’s, John took part in a fact-finding mission in war torn Nicaragua with the National Conservative Foundation.John and his wife Kate and three daughters, live in Newport Beach, CA.

Senator Sam Brownback

Advisory BoardSenator Sam Brownback is the senior Senator representing Kansas, elected to the U.S. Senate in November 1996 to fill the remainder of the vacancy caused by the resignation of Bob Dole. In the Senate, Brownback serves on the prestigious Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, as well as on the Committee on Governmental Affairs, where he chairs the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management and the District of Columbia; the Committee on Foreign Relations, where he chairs the Subcommittee on the Middle East; and the Joint Economic Committee. Prior to his election to the Senate, Brownback served one term as a Republican Congressman representing the Second District of Kansas. Brownback was born September 12, 1956, and grew up near Parker, Kansas on a family farm which his family still owns and operates. Brownback received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University, and a law degree from the University of Kansas. While at K-State, he was elected student body president and served as state president and as a national officer of the Future Farmers of America. Brownback is the co-author of two books and numerous articles. He is a frequent lecturer on trade, agriculture, leadership, and motivation. Senator Brownback's Website

Wendy Borcherdt

Advisory BoardWendy H. Borcherdt is the founder of Borcherdt Associates, a consulting firm for charitable and political organizations. A pivotal member of two presidential administrations, Wendy H. Borcherdt served as Special Assistant to President Reagan for Public Liaison and for Presidential Personnel in the appointment of women in the Executive Branch, and later as Deputy Undersecretary for Education. A graduate of Stanford University, Ms. Borchert serves on the board of that university’s Hoover Institution, as well as on the board of the School of Public Policy at Pepperdine University, and the California State Bar Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation, which evaluates potential judicial candidates in California, where she has been a strong advocate of legal ethics. In 1985 Ms. Borcherdt was a founding director of the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Pat Boone

Advisory BoardSinger, actor, author, songwriter, radio host: Pat Boone has been a part of the entertainment industry for over 50 years, and in that time he has sold more that 45 million records, held Billboard's all-time record of 200 consecutive weeks on the charts with more than one song, written more than 11 books, and starred in numerous feature films and television productions. But Mr. Boone is also a humanitarian. His firm commitment to his Christian faith has led Mr. Boone to give generously in assisting philanthropic organizations and causes. He has served as spokesperson, national chairman, and host of the Easter Seal Society Telethon; co-chaired the National Day of Prayer for many years; and helped found the annual Washington Charity Dinner, a major political/social/humanitarian event on the Washington, D.C. calendar.He also serves as chairman of the Advisory Board at Pepperdine University. He recently published his latest book, Questions About God and the Answers That Could Change Your Life.

William Blinn

Advisory BoardWilliam Blinn is one of television's most distinguished writer-producers and has earned numerous honors, including Emmy Awards for his teleplays of the critically acclaimed Brian's Song and the ground-breaking mini-series Roots. He has created and/or produced such successful series as Fame; Eight is Enough; Starsky and Hutch; and The Rookies, as well as Our House; Boys of Twilight; and Aaron's Way. Mr. Blinn helped to pioneer the movie-of-the-week format with Brian's Song, and went on to write and/or produce such highly acclaimed productions as A Question of Love; All God's Children; The Lazarus Syndrome; and The Outside Woman, as well as Polly; Polly Comin' Home; Appearances; and Shaughnessy. His recent play, Walking Peoria, was picked as a Los Angeles Times Critic's Choice. He is also co-chair of the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and he serves on the artistic board of Theater West in Hollywood.

Phil Baron

Advisory BoardPhil was for many years a successful voice actor who among other things was the original voice of the toy talking bear, Teddy Ruxpin. In the 1980’s, Phil and Michelle were producers of video tape projects for children. Michelle is an executive with Disneyland in charge of entertainment outreach and Phil is using his beautiful singing voice to praise God as the professional cantor for Valley Beth Shalom congregation in Los Angeles. Producers Michelle and Phil Baron produced a series of children’s videos for broadcast on the Jewish Television Network in the 1990s. This imaginative children’s series explores Jewish holidays, history, values, and traditions through the adventures of a lively and engaging puppet family. With mystery, music, and humor, the programs present age-old stories and enduring moral issues in creative, easily understandable ways. Guest stars include Ed Asner, Dom DeLuise, and Elliott Gould. In each of the eight episodes, the magical Mitzvah Mouse takes Rachel and David to meet important figures in Jewish history. The children journey through time to learn lessons of Jewish tradition from the likes of Abraham, Jonah, Maimonides, Queen Esther, and Judah Maccabee. Through their exciting exploits, the puppet family discovers how Jewish values apply to life in America today.

William Bennett

Advisory BoardWilliam Bennett is one of America's most important, influential and respected voices on cultural political, and education issues. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Bill Bennett studied philosophy at Williams College (B.A.) and the University of Texas (Ph.D.) and earned a law degree from Harvard. He is currently a distinguished fellow at the Heritage Foundation, co-director of Empower America, and Chairman and co-founder of K12, an Internet-based elementary and secondary school.During the 1980s, Dr. Bennett emerged as one of the nation's most prominent political figures. He served as President Reagan's chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities (1981-1985) and Secretary of Education (1985-1988), and President Bush's "drug czar" (1989-1990). In his various roles, he was perceived -- even by his adversaries -- as a man of strong, reasoned convictions who spoke candidly, eloquently, and honestly about some of the most important issues of our time. Bill Bennett has accomplished a rare feat: since leaving government, he has achieved an even greater impact on our national political debate. Dr. Bennett has written for America's leading newspapers and magazines. He has also written and edited 14 books, two of which -- The Book of Virtues and The Children's Book of Virtues -- rank among the most successful of the past decade. The Book of Virtues has been made into an animated series that airs on PBS in the United States and Great Britain and has been seen in over 65 countries. Dr. Bennett's most recent book is The Broken Hearth: Reversing the Moral Collapse of the American Family, which will be released in September 2001.Although he is a well-known Republican, Dr. Bennett often has crossed party lines in order to pursue important common purposes. He has worked closely with Democratic leaders to fight the decline of popular culture and to end worldwide religious persecution, and he is the co-chairman of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America with former New York Governor Mario Cuomo.Dr. Bennett also serves on the Education Advisory Committee of Walden Media, a new company that produces TV shows and movies that focus on historical events and classic books and promote learning.Thanks to his writings and speeches, William J. Bennett has extraordinary influence on America's political and social landscape. He, his wife Elayne, and their two sons, John and Joseph, live in Chevy Chase, Maryland.Website: www.bennettmornings.com

Steve Allen

National Honorary Chairman-Emeritus (1921-2000) The Parents Television Council is greatly honored to have worked with the highly regarded, and world-renowned entertainer Steve Allen as our National Honorary Chairman from 1996 until his death in 2000. He is remembered for his amazing comedic talents, but also for his dogged commitment to ensure quality, family-friendly entertainment and media decency. Despite his passing, his grace, love and strength of character still impact the PTC to this day. Not only was he one of America's greatest comedians, Steve Allen was also an entertainment trailblazer. In the late 1940s, he created the modern talk show format – bringing Hollywood celebrities on his popular radio program to promote their films and music albums. This distinctive combination of talk, music, celebrity interview and comedy was a success – later, easily transferred to the growing medium of television. Mr. Allen helped develop NBC's Tonight Show, and was the original host of the nationwide hit from 1953-1956. Mr. Allen's combination of stand-up comedy, celebrity interviews, and variety acts remains the standard template used by most late night TV shows to this day. He starred on The Steve Allen Show, a Sunday night comedy program that aired from 1956-1960, as well as hosted game shows, comedy specials, and syndicated comedy shows. Mr. Allen received both the Emmy and the Peabody Awards – considered one of the most prestigious awards in electronic media – for his innovative television program, Meeting of Minds on PBS from 1977-1981. In 1986, Mr. Allen was deservedly inducted into the Television Academy's Hall of Fame. Mr. Allen's legacy stretches far beyond television and radio, he was also an accomplished actor, starring in such classics as The Benny Goodman Story and The Sunshine Boys, composed more than 8,500 songs, and authored 58 fiction and non-fiction books – ranging from musical comedies to non-fiction works on white-collar crime and migratory farm labor. Vulgarians at the Gate was his response to "the rising tide of violence and vulgarity in our popular culture." The book, released shortly before his death, spurred a national movement to rid the music, television and movie industries of abject violence, sexual content and harsh language – appealing to parents, media activists and public officials, alike. In his capacity as National Honorary Chairman, Mr. Allen tirelessly recruited similarly minded celebrities for service on the PTC advisory board, called for civic responsibility in meetings with corporate and entertainment executives, participated in PTC fundraisers and served as an adept and focused spokesperson for the PTC in both television and print interviews. While we lament his passing, we celebrate his accomplishments – his innovative endeavors within the fields of radio, television and theater, as well as his unwavering efforts for the Parents Television Council. His commitment, passion and friendship can never be matched. We miss him greatly. Steve Allen Online!

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