Study discovers 'sleaze' on MTV

hoosier · #1 02-02-2005, 05:01 PM

TV, RADIO, & ONLINE
Study cites 'sleaze' on MTV
By David Bauder, Associated Press _|_ February 2, 2005
NEW YORK -- Approaching the first anniversary of Janet Jackson's famed wardrobe malfunction, a study released yesterday criticized MTV for the ''incessant sleaze" of steamy programming aimed at young people.

During one week last March, the watchdog Parents Television Council said it counted 3,056 flashes of nudity or sexual situations and 2,881 verbal references to sex.

''MTV has clearly chosen to cater to the lowest common denominator, to offer the cheapest form of programming to entice young boys . . . dangling forbidden fruit before their eyes," said Brent Bozell, PTC president and conservative activist.

MTV labeled the report unfair and said the group ignores the network's public service efforts, like its Emmy-winning ''Choose or Lose" campaign on the presidential election.

An independent analyst said the findings shouldn't come as any surprise to people who watch MTV regularly but would be eye-opening to people who don't -- just like the MTV-produced Super Bowl halftime show did when exposed to a large audience on CBS last year.

''There are a lot of things that most rational parents of 12-year-olds would be uncomfortable with their children consuming," said Robert Thompson, director of the Center for the Study of Popular Television at Syracuse University.

PTC decided to look at MTV's programming after the Jackson incident and picked the network's annual ''Spring Break" week of shows to study.

During the week, the PTC said it recorded 3,127 instances of profane dialogue ''bleeped" out and another 1,518 other instances of unedited rough language.

MTV spokeswoman Jeannie Kedas said the network follows the same standards as broadcasters. MTV reflects the culture and what its viewers are interested in, she said.

''I have done thousands of these studies over the years and I knew these numbers would be troublesome," Bozell said. ''I had no idea it would be this bad."

ZTAngel · #2 02-02-2005, 05:07 PM

I'm sorry but if someone watches MTV because they think they'll find G-rated, family-quality TV shows then they're just dumb. MTV has always been infamous for pushing the limit when it comes to language or sexual undertones. I think the PTC should use their time better and monitor what their own children are watching rather than count the number of "flashes of nudity" or "verbal references to sex".

Sister Havana · #3 02-02-2005, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZTAngel
I think the PTC should use their time better and monitor what their own children are watching rather than count the number of "flashes of nudity" or "verbal references to sex".

AMEN! And if they don't like something being shown on TV, well, that's why there are channel changers and on/off buttons. I don't think anyone is forcing kids to watch MTV.

You know, back when I was a kid we understood that there were certain things that were for adults only and that we would just have to wait to see or do. Since when does everything now have to be kid-friendly?

_Opi_ · #4 02-02-2005, 05:58 PM

was research really necessary?

I mean, the sleaze is right there in your face.

IowaStatePhiPsi · #5 02-02-2005, 06:33 PM

Big deal.

Parents' Television Council filed 99.8% of complaints to the FCC in 2003. Big bunch of crying conservatives mad that the world isn't the Cleavers back in the 1950s.

http://www.mediaweek.com/mediaweek/h..._id=1000731656

Quote:

According to a new FCC estimate obtained by Mediaweek, nearly all indecency complaints in 2003—99.8 percent—were filed by the Parents Television Council, an activist group.

This year, the trend has continued, and perhaps intensified.

Through early October, 99.9 percent of indecency complaints—aside from those concerning the Janet Jackson “wardrobe malfunction” during the Super Bowl halftime show broadcast on CBS— were brought by the PTC, according to the FCC analysis dated Oct. 1. (The agency last week estimated it had received 1,068,767 complaints about broadcast indecency so far this year; the Super Bowl broadcast accounted for over 540,000, according to commissioners’ statements.)

The prominent role played by the PTC has raised concerns among critics of the FCC’s crackdown on indecency. “It means that really a tiny minority with a very focused political agenda is trying to censor American television and radio,” said Jonathan Rintels, president and executive director of the Center for Creative Voices in Media, an artists’ advocacy group.

G8Ralphaxi · #6 02-02-2005, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by _Opi_
was research really necessary?

I mean, the sleaze is right there in your face.

I just had to laugh when I saw the title of this thread..."Study discovers sleaze on MTV" ??? Wow, who knew?!?!

That's like "Study discovers water in ocean."

Rudey · #7 02-03-2005, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by G8Ralphaxi
I just had to laugh when I saw the title of this thread..."Study discovers sleaze on MTV" ??? Wow, who knew?!?!

That's like "Study discovers water in ocean."

That's funny Ralph.

-Rudey

RUgreek · #8 02-03-2005, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hoosier
During one week last March, the watchdog Parents Television Council said it counted 3,056 flashes of nudity or sexual situations and 2,881 verbal references to sex.

DeltAlum · #9 02-03-2005, 12:24 PM

Sleaze on MTV? I'll bet they really had to dig deep to come up with that conclusion.