After a night of TV watching I feel dirty and creepy

[Armstead]

I usually don't watch much of what passes for entertainment on TV these days, with some exceptions. But last nite I wanted to veg out. Not being a football fan I decided to do some channel surfing.

So I watched a rerun of Law and Order:SVU. Law and Order is a well-made show, but this one was really icky. A man killed homeless people to help his wife support her mysterious daughter. At the end it turned out that the daughter had died 20 years earlier in the womb, and the mother had left it in there. So she had been carrying a baby corpse inside her....Ewwwwww.

Flipped around. Had enough of that, but Law and Order is everywhere. Or cheap knock offs or crime based "reality" shows. Then tuned to some show about criminal profilers on CBS. That one featured a fellow being tortured by being placed in a celler full of rats, after having his eye sliced up. All shown in loving detail. But I watched.

Meanwhile, these shows were being interrupted by plugs for otehr shows. CSI. NCIS. All about autopsies. Even the ads showed the corpses in loving close up detail.

I had to escape. But wherever I tuned, it all seemed to be crime, organs, perverts, psychopaths...And that was just the Disney Channel.


What the fuck is happening to our culture? I'm not a prude, and don't mind occasional thrills and chills. But TV today seems to be nothing but violence, rotting organs and cheap floozy sex.

I finally found relief with an old episode of Miami Vice. Yes, Miami Vice. Crime and all the rest. But at least it had a lot better taste than its descendents do today. It was positively tame by comparison.

Soi after swimming in the sewer of today's popular media culture, I decided I needed a shower to wash out my psyche. Ugh.

[Bjornsdotter]

1. Didn't you get the memo?

Violence okay, bare breasts bad.

Cheers

[Armstead]

2. I did find some bare breasts too

A showing of The Shining. But they airbrushed them out.

[Fandingo]

3. F-bomb

"What the fuck is happening to our culture? I'm not a prude, and don't mind occasional thrills and chills. But TV today seems to be nothing but violence, rotting organs and cheap floozy sex."

Why do you use the f-bomb?

The cause is money and its interrelationship with transgression. Soft porn hasn't made it to the networks yet, except under the educative cover stories of law enforcement dramas.

[Armstead]

7. Point well taken. I'd say the culture has warped me too but....

I've always been prone to using the f-word for emphasis.

My bad. But at least i'm not writing scripts looking for new ways to show corpses.

[Ladyhawk]

34. Hey, an occasionally dropping of the word "fuck" to add emphasis

never hurt anyone. In my opinion there are no intrinsically bad words. Words are bad only if they are used to hurt someone.

Example: "Fuck you, Mr. Leahy." --meant to hurt someone.
Example 2: "Ah, fuck! I hit my thumb with the hammer!" --not meant to hurt someone.

The worst swear word, if used in a non-hostile context, is not a swear word at all, while even the most innocuous word can be harmful if used to hurt another.

I am Ladyhawk. I have spoken. Ugh. :)

[PretzelWarrior]

8. yeah. stop fucking using that word.

Drop acid. not bombs.

[KoKo]

9. Soft Porn? Hey...I thought one could get all they wanted on certain

"pay for view" cable channels...:eyes: I've seen enough flipping channels that what's out there ain't exactly "soft porn" on the regular cable channels...But, then I guess it depends on ones perspective...:shrug:

[PretzelWarrior]

19. I personally scan infomercial channels looking for Girls Gone Wild

it's so much better to imagine what is blurred and blocked out on TV. LOL.

JUST KIDDING

[Armstead]

21. Sure, sure...You watch it for the articles right?

[Rabrrrrrr]

12. Why not use it?

You'll find lots of dropping of the "f-bomb" here at DU. It is, after all, just a fuckin' word. Nothing to be afraid of.

Welcome. :hi:

[CoffeeCat]

22. So true...

I don't use the F-word in real life. As a stay-at-home, carpooling, bunco-playing, playgroup-organizing mommy from the suburbs--I don't get a lot of opportunity.

Since I'm scared, pissed and sick about Junior's antics, I find the need to say that word quite a bit during my DU visits.

It helps me get through the day, if I can come here and drop a few f-bombs.

We should all respect the need to fucking get our feelings out.

[FreedomAngel82]

40. I know how you feel

I'm not a cursing person either but every once in a while you just get so pissed you have to let it out someway.

[Cats Against Frist]

47. LOL

"I don't use the F-word in real life. As a stay-at-home, carpooling, bunco-playing, playgroup-organizing mommy from the suburbs--I don't get a lot of opportunity."

Isn't it the truth? You can't say it to your kids, or the mailman, or the preschool teacher. You should fight with your husband more -- that's how I get my F-bombs out, after the dear child is asleep. If I didn't have my boyfriend to yell at, and DU, I'd go crazy...

[FlaGranny]

59. Heck, I use the F-bomb

when I'm all by myself, a LOT more than I used it here or with company - like when I slice my finger with the paring knife, or drop the evening's dinner on the floor, or burn something in a pot, or . . . well, you get the idea.

[newyawker99]

46. Hi Fandingo!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[thebigidea]

68. the idiotic phrase "f-bomb" offends me more than the word fuck

[KoKo]

4. That must by why I saw Zombies in my Malls this week..........

We haven't watched Network or Cable TV in years (other than the Political Shows which are on the Boycott list). Never have watched Fox.. Used to be big PBS watchers til they went to dark side.

We rent or buy old BBC series that used to be on PBS ...and are shown maybe if you have Tier 3 Cable on American BBC. Watch old movies too.

But, I'm starting to think than we are becoming very weird and out of it because we can't watch Cop Shows or what you said about the woman with the dead fetus she carried around for 20 years....SHEESH. If this is the crap folks are watching no wonder they love and trust Bush....To them he's charming when he talks about Kill! Kill! Terra! Terra! War! War!

Thanks for that info...I won't be tempted to "veg out" after your experience. :D

[Armstead]

18. Ovation is a pretty good channel, but they're the exception

Even BBC Amertica focuses either on cheesy reality shows or really grisly crime shows.

[hatrack]

35. KoKo, was that you talking about a real-life Dawn of the Dead experience?

If so, sure makes me glad I don't shop more than I do!

:toast:

[KoKo]

44. It's baaaaad...out there...or it was last week in my area, anyway...

Stay inside if you don't desperately need a toaster oven. :D

[SPKrazy]

5. Ewwwww, I Know, Today's TV Sucks!

And they are taking off West Wing!

There will be nothing of redeeming value on anymore!

Although I like Lost

Law and Order SVU, or any of them seem like they are on all the time on USA, and others.

[xray s]

6. It may be sick, but it is an accurate reflection of our culture

BTW, don't forget, the whole goal of all those shows is to get you to buy the products they advertize. And, the emotional reaction they invoke make you inable to think rationally and very open to suggestion.

They have it down to a science.

Now THAT is what's REALLY SICK!

[Armstead]

11. I don't know that it really does reflect the culture in the real world

I don't know many peopel who spend their time dreaming up new and horrifying ways to kill people.

I think it's the media bandwagon effect.

[KoKo]

13. If it's a refection of our culture...then why don't I know anybody like

the folks portrayed involved with murders, cops, and grisley stuff?

I don't know what culture it portrays...but it must be in their imaginations or their dreams of degradation a'la Bushworld...

[xray s]

30. let me clarify

It reflects what our citizens are interested in, not necessarily what they actually do in real life. They are interested in violence and revenge.

But they can live vicariously through BushCo's violence in the world. Maybe explains the big "ho hum" uttered by the public when Abu Grahib images were released?

[FreedomAngel82]

41. If you haven't

try to find the film "Bowling For Columbine" from Michael Moore. He shows how our society is different from Canada's for example with the violence and fear. It's a great film.

[Lorien]

28. I think the problem with our culture is that most believe that it IS

an accurate reflection of what's going on in America.There's a sick serial killer, pedophile, and rapist around every corner. Be afraid-and don't complain when the government does away with the constitution and our Bill of Rights; let them wiretap and put people in detention centers...after all, they're only trying to PROTECT you from the scary, scary world.

[Armstead]

37. Yep. That was part of the point of Bowling for Columbine

Michael Moore had it right.

[Lorien]

45. Or Marilyn Manson, of all people. n/t

[Teaser]

10. That is not a plausible storyline...

spontaneous abortions can be reabsorbed or ejected on their own....

[CoffeeCat]

14. I hear ya...tv is a toxic soup of crime, perversion and violence...

In the past 5 years, I haven't watched much television. I had two children--15 months apart--and we were too busy for television. Now that the children are older, my husband and I will flip on television to see what we've been missing the past 5 years.

I experienced, exactly what you did, Armstead. I thought I'd watch CSI--since 80 percent of Americans dutifully watch it. I'm not knocking anyone who watches the show. However, I was stunned by how violent and graphic everything was. The autopsy I saw was so disgusting. I'm a major fan of horror/scary movies, but this stuff was just repulsive. Everything is so violent now, and there's blood everywhere. It's not enough to see the violence, and the blood and the killings. Now, we have to see them cutting, pulling and stripping away skin on dead bodies.

There are SO MANY of these shows on! Law and Order SVU is all about rape, child molestation and other types of brutal crimes.

I used to be a tv-aholic. I'm no tv snob. However, most of what I see now is so violent and so bent on the perverted and deranged. Now that we have some time in the evenings, it's difficult to find anything of interest--that isn't about people getting murdered or victimized.

I will admit the following. I love "Invasion." I'm a lukewarm fan of "Desperate Housewives", and I have liked the three episodes of "Cold Case" that I saw. I love that there is closure at the end, for the victims. I've bawled my eyes out at the end of every "Cold Case" episode. The writing is decent, the premise of the show is novel and I don't see a lot of violence.

I think our country is numbing themselves out with violence. It's disturbing. Thanks for your post, Armstead. I hear ya!

[Armstead]

20. It amazed me how innocent Miami Vice seems today by comparison

Back in the day, that show was seen as pushiong the envelope. Today, it's almost gentle compared to its newer counterparts.

[Art_from_Ark]

26. And here I thought American network TV sucked in the '80s

when I tuned out most of prime time for good.

[CoffeeCat]

29. Oh come on....

...you missed so many quality shows!

Are you telling me that you missed the wit and wisdom of "Mr Belvedere?" and the coming-of-age lessons learned from "Facts of Life?"

And how can we forget "Alf?"

It was a wasteland, wasn't it?

[Art_from_Ark]

32. Yep, missed it all

If only I could travel back in time, I would ditch my books, buy a year's supply of beer and potato chips, and catch up on all that "quality programming".

NOT!!

[Marie26]

38. I hate CSI

Everybody I know watches that show, but it's really disturbing to me. I actually end up leaving the room sometimes when it's on. So glad to hear other people say the same thing! But it gets such good ratings, and that must mean that normal Americans are gathering around the TV w/their families to watch this stuff. And that's the most disturbing thing. For what it's worth, I noticed a big change in TV programs after 9/11. Is that when CSI debuted? The shows are darker, more violent, & more graphic. That probably says something about the national mood of our country, but nothing good. I do like some of the new shows, like Desperate Housewives, Scrubs & The Office. There's still some good, funny shows out there - but the crime dramas are just crowding them out.

[CoffeeCat]

43. I like The Office too...

...that show is so damn funny.

The episode where they all went on the boat for team building, was hysterical.

[raccoon]

56. I agree with what you & other posters have said about so much

violence, gore, murder, serial killers (I'm sick to death of them! :-) )

Another thing is constant double entendres on sitcoms. And so many themes about sex on sitcoms. If I had small kids, I wouldn't want them to be seeing/hearing that.

[boobooday]

15. Violence is the new porn

These shows are lazy stories, relying on fancy production values. The plot moves forward through gadgets, and lots of exposition which is rendered in snappy dialogue, which is fast-paced, but still can't hide the fact that the entire show is about explaining, with quick cut flashbacks.

I only turn on the TV for sports, or severe weather alerts.

[AspenRose]

16. With the exception of a few sports events

I have not watched TV since last August. And it feels great.

And even then, it was only NewsHour and BBC World. CSPAN if I was visiting at my parents' house...they have cable (we don't).

I used to love Northern Exposure and shows like it.

I don't understand the ghoulishness of today's TV. My husband loves CSI.

[bluerum]

17. I do not watch TV and thats part of the reason! It slimes you! eom

[Lorien]

23. I feel EXACTLY the same way about those shows

and all the awful "reality" programs that seem to center on ridiculing others with the cleverest "snap" , and celebrating those who are the most confident liars and con artists.

I just watch DVDs from Netflix now, and an episode of "the Cosby Show" at noon, while I'm eating my lunch. Shows like Cosby, Rosanne, Family Ties, etc. laughed at our shared human condition, not at individuals in an attempt to make the viewer feel superior at another's expense.Our society is, imho, being flushed down the toilet with what passes for entertainment, along with the absurd farce that is today's news media, and the absurd abomination that occupies the White House.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

24. I don't have a problem with it. I just think your getting old.

you old fogey you LOL

[Armstead]

27. Maybe. I am sounding a bit like my parents used to.

But Jeeze Louise, when did mutilated corpses get so trendy?

[Mike Nelson]

25. I don't watch much TV anymore...

...I watch the coumpter now

[incapsulated]

31. The Culture of Death

Reminds me, as our culture often does, of the Roman Empire. Except they didn't have American Idol.

What happens when grusome details of the crimes of psychopaths aren't enough?

[Marie26]

42. Gladiators? nt

[Lydia Leftcoast]

49. I think that may be it

We're a bit too "advanced" to watch real people fighting to the death or getting eaten by lions, but we'll watch actors pretending to do or suffer all sorts of gruesome things.

It's a sign that we're all being happy-slappy on the surface and telling one another that we're living in the greatest country in the world, but deep down, we know that all is not well, and the addiction to violence is a symptom of our conflicted feelings.

[KittyWampus]

33. I Watched the original version of "The Producers" and laughed my ass off

Baby? Hitler never said Baby...

[Armstead]

36. I saw that was on

But I've p[robably seen it eight times over the years. Love it, though.

[FreedomAngel82]

39. Yep

I do like watching Law and Order and there is this other new show called "Close to Home" that is similar and it's not quite so bad with graphics and stuff. I like to watch comedy shows and older shows on Nickelodeon like "Fresh Prince" for example. Tonight on the show on the episode I watched the kids of the father on the show were trying to find his will to see who the favorite was (the father was thinking of retiring early and they were fighting over who the favorite was because he would be around them the most) so they got the son to hack into the safe with listening in and everything and the older sister asked him how he knew to do that and he said the young republicans had a seminar about how to get in safes. LOL. I thought that was hilarious because of today and what we know about the cronies.

[DemonGoddess]

48. That's why I watch

"educational tv" (Cartoon Network)at night. ;)

[Armstead]

50. I'm waiting for SpongeBob to do an autopsy

[buzzard]

51. Try the cooking channel it is quite entertaining and not gory at all.n/t

[Armstead]

54. All that meat being chopped up? Ewwwww!

Just kidding...

My idea of cooking is tossing a TV dinner into the microwave, so watching chefs in action doesn;t ring my chimes...But I do like the Iron Chef. Making a saute seem like a heroic quest.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

52. I find that the entertainment industry in general has lost whatever

subtelty and intelligence it once had.

Compare the 1962 film The Haunting, which is unforgettable despite never showing anything but the reactions of the characters (The Blair Witch Project doesn't even come close), with the 1990s remake, which is all special effects and looks like a cartoon in comparison.

You talk about Miami Vice. When I see reruns of Homicide: Life on the Street, the emphasis there is not on blood and gore but on the psychology of the criminal and the stresses and interpersonal relationships of the cops.

Even comparing CSI with its British counterpart, Waking the Dead (seen on BBCAmerica), the characters on the British version are more fully developed, more articulate, and more ambiguous. Characters on American TV dramas look like cardboard cut-outs in comparison.

[rniel]

53. Well that's much better than watching

The state of the union speech.

Now that was sickening and scary.

[SOS]

55. In the words of George Carlin

"Of course we're depressed. We live in a neon sewer."

[Skelington]

57. Show a real life being taken,

and I don't think people would find it so entertaining. People don't die with thier hair right, clothes in order and make-up perfect. They don't fall is posed positions, bodies attract bugs within minutes. There is screaming,crying,fear,panic,terror,odor, and texture to death.A shot man does not look calmly into the afterlife with a "touch" of fear. His eyes show terror and panic, there is coughing, splattering and the release of the bowels, the channel cannot be changed, and it will never be "entertaining".

[Initech]

58. Watch the following shows - Monk and Arrested Development

Monk is a crime / detective show that doesnt take itself seriously at all.

Arrested Development - well, what can I say that hasnt already been said?

[Borgnine]

62. Yes!

The two hour Arrested Development finale is this Friday. I'd cry if I didn't plan on laughing so hard.

[Initech]

63. I'm actually staying home on Friday for this!

[Armstead]

64. Gosh I'm out of it. What is Arrested Development?

I've watched Monk a few times. I like it. Sort of the flip side of Columbo. (Monk being obsessive compulsive, Columbo being a pathological slob.)

I've heard of Arrested Development but know nothing about it. Duy, I guess the pop zeitgeist has finally passed me by.

[Initech]

66. It's a show about a rich family that goes broke

And unlike a lot of sit-coms, Arrested Development doesnt have any of the stereotypical characters you find in most.

For instance, there's no annoying neighbor (since they have no neighbors to begin with as they live in a model home on undeveloped land), their main mode of transportation is a truck with a giant staircase on the back of it, the family business is broke, and the patriarch of the family is in jail.

Check it out on IMDB:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367279/

[Armstead]

67. Oh yeah...I;'ve seen that. Now I remember.

60. I know what you mean

it seems like some form of sadism is being satisfied. And Mandy Patinkin who stars in criminal minds is such a wonderful, rich actor. I guess they need to work though. I thought the title for that show "Criminal Minds" would be better as a show about our friggin government.

[Greyhound]

61. Desensitizing the masses to prepare them for the coming times. n/t

[jus_the_facts]

65. S'yet another reason I refuse to PAY for TV.....

:hi: