In his culture column this week, Brent Bozell unveiled a new study from the Parents Television Council (cleverly titled "Dying to Entertain") that found that the 2005-2006 TV season was the most violent in recent history. In fact, there has been a 75 percent increase in prime-time TV violence since the 1998 season. Some of the examples of creepiness and gore are pretty extreme. The other inspiration for the column is the debut of "The Sopranos" on basic cable at a price to A&E of 2.5 million smackers an episode:
The latest landmark (or landfill) in the TV world is the arrival of HBO’s pay-cable mob drama “The Sopranos” on the basic-cable channel A&E, where now virtually anyone with cable can watch. How carefully is this show with mature-themed sex, violence, and profanity vetted for general audiences? TV critics wailed that any snip is messing with the “artistic integrity,” but the Hollywood Reporter reassured fans that “a few judicious snips to a series can be made without snuffing its profane soul.”
The early word is that the makers of “The Sopranos” prepared their Mafia-milking cash cow for general audiences by double-shooting scenes with clothed strippers and lots of uses of the word “freaking.” Still, the eye-opening violence is pretty much left untouched. “Have no fear, mayhem fans,” cooed the TV critic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, since A&E is “letting them act like gangsters and talk like dorks.”
The “quality” controllers at A&E have told critics that extraordinarily grisly sequences, such as someone's brains being splattered all over a wall, have been shortened by a second or two. Who says these networks don’t have standards.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
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Sapranos
Sat, 01/13/2007 - 10:35 ET by iveseenitallI've never watched The Sapranos but I have seen that guy who is one of the show's characters when he appears on Cavuto to push his children's books and talk about "values". I think to myself, "this guy's got to be kidding". It's the height of hypocrisy. He may not even profess to be a liberal, which makes it even worse. It makes me sick to see this because I lived among the "mob", as all New Yorker's do to this day. Go to church on Sunday, murder a few guys on Monday. The Sapranos is a reality show.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
The Sopranos is a very good p
Sat, 01/13/2007 - 11:13 ET by rimskyThe Sopranos is a very good production that characterizes one of the darkest segments of our society. And, it is a colossal waste of time and money. Time and money that could have been spent of programs with redeeming values? But of course in todays culture, sadly, that doesn't sell. It brings to mind a segment on a travel program that I was watching recently that highlighted a bus tour that takes visitors in and around that section of Jersey that is portrayed in the program. Some of these folks were acting so reverent, and in awe, like they were walking on hallowed ground or something. I just shook my head. I'm not sure who's the worst.. those going on the tour, or those selling it!
I'm sure Brent is approaching
Sat, 01/13/2007 - 12:34 ET by Tim GrahamI'm sure Brent is approaching this from the perspective of watching a seven-year-old kid flipping the remote control and being stunned by a "whacking." Nancy Pelosi's been so wild about the children, perhaps she should have taken all those little props and plopped them in front of "The Sopranos" so everyone can see how it would affect the little ones. Does no one in Hollywood ever think about what children might stumble into watching?
Wow, so it's a good thing t
Sat, 01/13/2007 - 13:13 ET by sarcasmoWow, so it's a good thing taxpayers like me spend so-damned-much on an FCC to prevent all thi...Uh, nevermind!
JMR -- jes' earnin' the nick!
Counterpoint
Sat, 01/13/2007 - 18:34 ET by UnsaneWe COULD spend that same amount of money on judges, courtrooms, land for them and...uh, nevermind!
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
As an Italian-American and an
Sun, 01/14/2007 - 02:30 ET by Tony SAs an Italian-American and an arts writer I'd like to have my say on this. First, critics think just because something "pushes the envelope" that it's great art. This is the culture amongst American critics, and people should pick up Michael Medved's books to learn more. Second, this "great art" tag can only apply to a politically designated group. For example, "The Sopranos" would not be celebrated if the violence were directed exclusively (and unremorcefully) towards Jews or women. But since it's Italians and whites, it's OK.
Finally, I think this show has done for Italian-Americans what "Amos and Andy" did for blacks -- sent them back decades. Like Asians, Italian-Americans have to put up with media characters that are one-dimensional stereotypes. And untrue ones: A look at police data will tell you it ain't Italians committing the crimes in this country. This all comes down to the corrupt media, because they don't take the Sons of Italy seriously but bow and scrape to La Raza, The ADL and other "ethnic leaders."
"The Sopranos" is what stopped me from watching TV completely and led me to believe that many media conspiracy theorists are correct. The show is an artless load of garbage; 20 years form now they will wonder what we were thinking. If Rudy does not get elected, this show is partially to blame, since you cannot now think of Italians without thinking of crime. What bugs me also is "The Sopranos" got popular just as Italian-Americans were escaping the shadow of "The Godfather."
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dear tony s --
Sun, 01/14/2007 - 03:22 ET by tumbler_2007Bravo-! A post worth remembering.
To date I haven't watched The Sopranos, on purpose. It isn't that I have anything against violence. I appreciate combat between great competitors.
I hated The Godfather. Now, it was quality movie-making, and as art I can't really call it unworthy of attention or praise. The acting was terrific. According to Sicilian friends of mine, it was very authentic; a marvelous depiction of the family. The Mario Puzo experience.
Gandolfini is a great actor too. As the Jewish Mother would ask, "What's not to like about it?"
It's just morbid to reduce Italian culture to this ungodly common denominater. Glorifying the turgid and meaningless experience of predators. As if it reached some apex of class; powerful mafiosi fawned on --watched by the faithful television every couch potato a Corleone and a Soprano! Mama mia!!!! Sell more pills for impotence and more shiny cars. SELL, and make the wonders of Giotto, Dante, Francis of Assisi; something unimportant. Who would buy our products? Does Verdi sell Bowflex? Hell, no-- give them the Mafia ! While the honor of Italy sinks lower & lower. Makes ya want to cry.
I was in Rome last October, and to this day I yearn for the day when I can return. It's been the most awesome experience of my life. It's more than an experience. They were right; Rome-- and after that just go to heaven! Is Corleone or Tony Soprano interested in heaven? In ROME? No-- just money and lording it over stupid goons. Money most of all. They can go to hell. They aren't what Italians are about. They're a sickness.
A depressing thing
Sat, 01/13/2007 - 18:38 ET by UnsaneThe sad thing is that tour of which you speak would not be offered if there wasn't demand for one. I actually managed to see some episodes of The Sopranos, and, like 99% of film/television depictions of mob life/death, I was not the least bit impressed.
But then, all told, I'm not impressed by television these days and haven't been for decades. If not for sporting events carried by television, I would see no point in owning a television set.
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
Why is it a waste of time and
Sun, 01/14/2007 - 00:00 ET by balboaWhy is it a waste of time and money? It's entertaining. It entertains people. That makes it worth bazillions.