On Nov. 9 CW's teen-targeted "Gossip Girl" featured a threesome, portraying it as a normal, expected event in a college student's life.
The episode depicted three friends completing a list that was supposedly printed in their college newspaper: "The 15 Things Every College Student Must Do Before Graduating." Number 11 was "Have a Threesome."
On Nov. 10, the day after the episode aired, Entertainment Weekly commented on the "Gossip Girl's" threesome, saying, "The whole thing was pretty chaste. Aside from a shot of them all in bed together in the end, it was basically no more risqué than a game of spin the bottle."
What Entertainment Weekly doesn't grasp (or perhaps doesn't want to) is that it's not about how graphic the scene was or wasn't. It's the fact that the show was promoting the idea as normal and even expected.
"Though there was no explicit sex scene on last night's episode," said Tim Winter, the president of the Parents Television Council, "the CW Network's behavior was grossly irresponsible by adding a story line where a sexual threesome was to be celebrated as some sort of ‘rite of passage' for teenagers."
The PTC also noted in its Nov. 10 press release that the content rating of the show deemed it appropriate for 14-year-old children. However, the show is hugely popular among "tweens." In fact, "Gossip Girl" had the highest ratings in September among females ages 12-34. The advertisements surrounding the show also highlight who the show targets. Phrases such as "Every Parent's Nightmare" "clearly appeal to teens, not adult women," the Council noted.
CW has announced that it will be continuing its crass "threesome" storyline into next week's episode.
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→ What they won't do
November 11, 2009 - 14:27 ET by Cool ArrowWhat they won't do is make that threesome two guys and a girl.
Can't you just see two male TV stars' carreers skyrocketing after swapping spit on National TV.
I think Olbermann and Matthews should demonstrate for us. Oh gosh, they must be afraid of achieving so much fame and adulation overnight.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Well duh, Tex. If they had
November 11, 2009 - 15:07 ET by Another Dead KennedyWell duh, Tex. If they had made it 2 guys and a girl, we'd be b*tching about them not only promoting 3-somes, but for promoting homosexuality as well.
→ Well DUH, Drupal
November 11, 2009 - 15:12 ET by Cool ArrowMy point was that Hollywood doesn't believe the time is right for boy on boy homosexuality.
Are you saying girl on girl isn't homosexual conduct.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
From what I've seen around
November 11, 2009 - 15:30 ET by Another Dead KennedyFrom what I've seen around the boards, it's obvious most people have a problem with male/male than female/female. Just my observation.
Remember Brokeback Mountain? Now that was some good ol' boy on boy action, happily provided by Hollywood. Will and Grace? Can't get much more mainstream than that. But let's face it: we all know that in college, there's no such thing as a threesome with 2 dudes and a girl.
→ Drupal
November 11, 2009 - 15:41 ET by Cool ArrowI specified TV because I see film as something different from television.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Okay, Will and Grace? That
November 11, 2009 - 16:12 ET by Another Dead KennedyOkay, Will and Grace? That lasted 8 seasons on TV.
→ I missed it
November 11, 2009 - 16:15 ET by Cool ArrowI never watched "Will & Grace" so I wasn't aware of the man-onman spit swapping scense.
Were there a lot of them?
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
It was a prime time sitcom,
November 11, 2009 - 16:52 ET by Another Dead KennedyIt was a prime time sitcom, so no - not many. You missed out, Tex. It was a pretty good show. You should catch it on reruns...probably on Lifetime.
"Remember Brokeback
November 11, 2009 - 16:02 ET by ckc1227"Remember Brokeback Mountain? Now that was some good ol' boy on boy action, happily provided by Hollywood."
I agree with the horses.
And I'm betting the
November 11, 2009 - 14:39 ET by HockeyKidAnd I'm betting the continued storyline won't include the girls comparing notes at Student Health while waiting to be treated for the STD they picked up in the first part.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
You just don't get it.
November 11, 2009 - 15:15 ET by jdhawkYou just don't get it. These are difficult times. An actor has to fulfill many roles. The network and the sponsors have to get their monies worth.
Season One:
In this instance, we have a three some. Followed by, the "actors" getting STDs. That is followed by a trouncing of health care as we know it. Followed by a commercial advertising that pill you take so that the "flare ups" aren't so severe. Followed by trouncing those greedy pharma companies attempting to . . . wait for it . . . making a profit -how dare them! Followed by . . .
Season two: . . .
You see, there is just a trove of material to mine. And, it is all so natural . . .
Were they talking golf?
November 11, 2009 - 14:42 ET by mattmWere they talking golf?
If it feels good, do
November 11, 2009 - 14:57 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonIf it feels good, do it, catch AIDS, get sick, die save the expenses of your medical care in your old age.
Considering that it is going to be those with few, if any moral or ethical values, is there really a downside? Considering it will probably include the children and grandchildren of the writers, producers, and actors and liberal politicians?
http://gjresult.com
What they forgot to mention
November 11, 2009 - 15:21 ET by deerjerkydaveWhat they forgot to mention on this TV show is that this type of hedonism results in the spread of STDs, unwanted pregnancies, and the annual 1.6 million abortions (just in America).
About that list...
November 11, 2009 - 15:57 ET by boomerconAbout that list...
Tx A&M list:
1. Survive Fish year. 2. get your Aggie Ring. 3. graduate. 4. get commissioned.
No #11. And for sure no 3sum at that all male University. But...who knows. Now that it's coed, maybe there's a #5?
It IS normal and
November 11, 2009 - 17:00 ET by balboaIt IS normal and expected...on a TV show about young sexy people that run with a rich party crowd and happen to become friends with fictional movie stars.
So the other week the
November 11, 2009 - 17:25 ET by Radical1979So the other week the networks were all about volunteerism. Throwing it into the story lines, making people think it was a cool thing to do because it was part of the story lines on the show, maybe get people up and volunteering.
Now we have this story line. Hmm. What could they be promoting? Maybe an immoral lifestyle? Why? Becuase they are immoral and want to spread it. If these Hollyweird people aren't the only ones living this way they won't feel so bad about themselves. Instead of uplifting society, they want to drag everyone else down, and they are targeting a vulnerable group.
Its a show
November 11, 2009 - 17:33 ET by shawn228Gossip Girl is as responsible for spreading sexual diseases as Rush is for abortion doctor killings. TV stations make money and is trying to be capitalist and be successful, but people are up in arms about something they do not want to watch, but are concerend about not letting anyone watch either.
Can you explain the "Rachel"
November 11, 2009 - 17:35 ET by Radical1979Can you explain the "Rachel" haircut when "Friends" first went on the air? O.k. you're a guy, I don't expect you too. But when the show first started Jennifer Aniston's haircut was wildly popular as people emulated it. And what about commercials? Don't they affect people, it's the same medium?
fashions perhaps
November 11, 2009 - 17:38 ET by shawn228Hey it is still in the record books for over 20 years, but the infamous who shot JR episode did not make people shoot rich Texas oilmen right?
But that show was watched
November 11, 2009 - 17:46 ET by Radical1979But that show was watched mostly by adults, and directed at adults. The teen mind isn't fully developed and more vulnerable to suggestion.
Well Rad
November 11, 2009 - 17:49 ET by shawn228Perhaps parents should be more responsible for what they let their kids watch right?
That's A HAIRCUT.
November 11, 2009 - 17:43 ET by balboaThat's A HAIRCUT.
Yeah, but it only works if
November 11, 2009 - 17:44 ET by Radical1979Yeah, but it only works if you Jennifer Aniston's face. (sigh)
It also helps to
November 11, 2009 - 18:02 ET by shawn228......have Jennifer Anistons body. (sigh)
Jennifer Aniston
November 11, 2009 - 19:10 ET by MrShyYou guys will hate me, but she has patted me on my head and called me by my lovable kid-name.
This was 1986 or so, and she was a hot teenager then, too. I was 2-3 years older but was a late-bloomer... she probably thought she was older.
lol Bal
November 11, 2009 - 17:48 ET by shawn228Perhaps next, they will try to tell us Greys Anatomy is trying to influence people to cut people with scalpels
→ Shawn228
November 11, 2009 - 19:07 ET by Cool ArrowAre you saying it might be OK to show the kids the neat things they can do with diesel fuel and fertilizer?
Maybe "Breaking Bad" should spend more time being precise about their cooking methods?
I know you're really big on this Freedom of Speech thing. I am too. But what we're seeing here is a long way from the first man & wife ever shown in the same bed together in a sitcom.
If memory serves me well, it was Fred and Wilma Flintstone . . . a cartoon.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
If memory serves me well, it was Fred and Wilma Flintstone . . .
November 11, 2009 - 19:18 ET by shawn228"If memory serves me well, it was Fred and Wilma Flintstone . . . a cartoon."
I am trying to block from my memory on the episode with what happened between Fred, Barney and Triceratops. :-)
Cool, as a parent I don't like what is on the tv these days. I heard my child singing If U seek Amy a few months ago, I was appalled, but I realize that it is my fault for not monitoring the youtube sites visited.
Show writers are creepy perv.'s
November 11, 2009 - 17:34 ET by thedailyzingWhat kind of weirdo would write this for a "teen" targeted show? I find
it in very bad taste and think the writers are very creepy! I can just
imagine some weird old creepy guy in a dark room typing away on his
computer thinking up this pervy crap! Check out this write up on
another pervert Roman Polanski its awesome! http://thedailyzing.com/145/to-catch-a-polanski-perv/
You think the writers are
November 11, 2009 - 18:06 ET by Another Dead KennedyYou think the writers are creepy? You realize that the network approves any script before it gets shot, right? And that the network approves the final cut of the show before it airs, right? I'd say CBS and Warner Bros are your target.
A threesome in college?
November 11, 2009 - 17:41 ET by UphillA twosome would have been nice enough.
Either way
November 11, 2009 - 18:54 ET by ChristianRebelIt doesn't matter how mild the scene was, girls that watch the show (and don't know any better) are still going to be influenced by it.
Sexual immorality aside the show isn't that good...
CW keeps trying to push these "Teen Drama's" that have about as much depth as a kitchen sink, and quite frankly I'm getting sick of it.
I say stick with books and cancel the TV subscription till these "rebels from the waist down" clean up their act. I'm getting real close to doing that myself.