Friday Blog Question: Has TV Ever Actually Offended You?

This week, federal courts overturned the FCC’s fines against CBS for broadcasting footage of Janet Jackson’s evil, rampaging tit. Of course, as we all remember from those boring old days back in 2004, this is what started the un-intelligentsia of America to break out their black Crayons and write letters to their network, advertiser or congressman, saying, “I was offended, signed x.” It was a wave of indecent decency over what was, in any other country in the world, a second-rate floor show. Is there anything you’ve seen on television that has actually offended you? I don’t mean general, politically correct responses like, “war,” or “starving children,” or any of those kinds of answers designed to get girls who wear Birkenstock sandals to give you their phone number. I mean has any specific moment in television history ever legitimately shocked you to the point where you had to turn off the TV, and then consider writing – or even actually write – a letter of protest to whomever you thought at that moment could do something about it?

I’d like to lodge my protest of the non-stop Brett Favre coverage. William Smith Very funny… Alison Thor

I don't think this question is well-phrased. To whom is this letter going? Are we complaining to the people who produced the programming, or the government? That's an enormous difference for which you have not accounted. I have been offended by some of the things I have seen or heard on TV, but I would never write a letter of protest to the government so they can "do something about it." I change the channel. I post tweets. I express my opinions to those interested in hearing it. I might even fire off a letter to the person or people responsible for the program itself. But I'd never go to the FCC. The mere fact we have an organization dedicated to policing the "decency" of anything on TV is a flagrant violation of Free Speech so far as I am concerned. This is America, and the single best course of action for deterring behavior we don't like is not to indulge or promote it. When it comes to TV, that means changing the channel. Idiots (yes, idiots) like the people at the PTC - where the overwhelming majority of complaints regarding Janet's 'rampaging tit' originated - want the FCC to mandate certain things off TV. They want the government to step in and do what market forces have thus far not done. Could anything be more anti-capitalistic, and by extension, un-American? This topic gets my blood boiling. I'll end this rant here. Joseph Jaramillo

You know that ad where the old guys are sitting in a barn jamming in a circle formation – some sort of country/folk/blues/”I don’t want to hear another note starting now” band? You think, “what is that crap, Elvis?” but you realize the lyrics are different which causes you to tilt your head to the side. At the height of your confusion, you start getting distracted by the intense grins every single guy is sporting knowing full well no one has ever been that happy, much less in unison. The jam builds in intensity, there’s a dog, there’s more smiley head bobbing, and then suddenly the ring leader yells with full conviction as if he has just found the Lord “Viva Viagra!” That’s NASTY! Mike Corak

OMG Mike, I thought you were kidding. I'm offended by this too - but more because it sends the message that if you are white and lame, have no fear - you will at least be able to add your white lameness to the genetic soup. Eric Reid

Absolutely not. And, to those crazies who actually write letters about dumb things like Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl slip-up or other blown-out-of-proportion little TV hiccups, I’ve got an answer for you – just turn the channel, oh and get a life too. If it’s that upsetting, then just turn it off and leave it be. There are thousands of TV channels now (at least on my TIVO there are) and there’s really no need to get upset about anything you see on TV when there will always be some watered-down channel a click away. Amy Rushia

It really takes a lot to offend me, so I haven’t had the urge to write my congressman about anything I’ve seen on TV. And if people are so offended by stuff they see on TV, then they should just switch stations or turn it off! Ellen Stevens

My travels have taken me to a few pretty screwed up third-world countries and I have travel enough in Europe to recognized that as Americans we're an awfully inhibited bunch. I think that kind of exposure to other cultures has immune me from being offended by the small infractions deemed inappropriate by our FCC. So, I've never seen anything that truly offended me on TV in America, except those local newscasters who have no personality. Roger Hurni

About the Author: Eric Reid

I am the Social Media Services Manager for Off Madison Ave. I've been with the company since 2006, when I was hired to do SEO, and link building in particular. When social networking sites started cropping up, at first I started using them to create backlinks - but they weren't the best for that, given all of the "nofollow" attributes. However, I did see the potential for all of the direct referral traffic they represent. Since then I've been actively pursuing both tactics for clients: Links that can help them for search, and social postings that get them involved in the conversation. It's about the coolest job you could ever get. ;)

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