Post by midnight on Dec 4, 2005 21:08:29 GMT 10
Taken from:
www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17450250%255E2682,00.html
Parents slam shock TV hit
Anna Merola
04dec05
A HIT new US teen detective show featuring adult themes such as rape and underage drinking has outraged parents who want it screened in a later timeslot.
The premiere of Veronica Mars last Monday, the most popular show in Adelaide that night at 7.30pm, has been criticised for showing scenes inappropriate for young children.
Adelaide mum Rikki Cooke, 31, sent a complaint to Channel 10 and Free TV Australia, saying she was shocked by the content of the show. "I was watching it with a girlfriend and I looked at her and said, `Is this for real?'," she said.
"I kept watching and it got progressively worse – the date rape scene really shocked and offended me. I would much rather see it on at 8.30pm, even 9.30pm would be better."
While the date rape was only alluded to and not shown, Ms Cooke said she felt the issue was dealt with too casually.
Starring relative newcomer Kristin Bell, the drama series revolves around a teen sleuth whose life is turned upside down after the death of her best friend.
The series has been described as The OC meets Twin Peaks – but Ms Cooke argued The OC is shown at 8.30pm.
Other concerns she listed in a letter of complaint included excessive and extensive underage drinking at a party, references to the "date rape" drug Rohypnol, bullying, intimidation, blackmail, illegal drug use and violence.
"The comment made by the actress was `I was just having the standard rum and Coke, and Rohhy' making it sound perfectly acceptable for both the alcoholic drink and the use of the drug," Ms Cooke wrote. "It concerns me greatly as to the numerous inappropriate messages this (show) sends to our kids."
The South Australian Association of State Schools Organisations said showcasing adult themes such as underage drinking and rape without a moral message attached was a concern.
"Anything that portrays that sort of thing that could have an impact on young children would be quite objectionable, quite unwarranted," spokesman Clive Harrison said.
"I would have thought television stations would have learnt their lesson by now, showing things like this at crucial times when young kids are still up and about."
He backed the call that the network should review the timeslot of the program.
A Ten spokeswoman said the show was classified PG, which complied with the television industry's code of practice.
"We have a team of expert classifiers who review each scene," she said. "The important thing is the rape was not shown, only implied."
Looks like people are getting antsy now that Big Brother isn't on, and they need something to be morally outraged about.
I've always thought that it was silly to put an M show in a PG timeslot, but this article makes it sound like it should be rated R
Newsflash: anyone watching is going to hear much worse at school! Even primary school kids know about drinking, drugs and....gasp...sex!
I'm sure VM will send a whole lot of kids to parties accepting spiked drinks from strangers! Because they couldn't have been doing that already.
www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17450250%255E2682,00.html
Parents slam shock TV hit
Anna Merola
04dec05
A HIT new US teen detective show featuring adult themes such as rape and underage drinking has outraged parents who want it screened in a later timeslot.
The premiere of Veronica Mars last Monday, the most popular show in Adelaide that night at 7.30pm, has been criticised for showing scenes inappropriate for young children.
Adelaide mum Rikki Cooke, 31, sent a complaint to Channel 10 and Free TV Australia, saying she was shocked by the content of the show. "I was watching it with a girlfriend and I looked at her and said, `Is this for real?'," she said.
"I kept watching and it got progressively worse – the date rape scene really shocked and offended me. I would much rather see it on at 8.30pm, even 9.30pm would be better."
While the date rape was only alluded to and not shown, Ms Cooke said she felt the issue was dealt with too casually.
Starring relative newcomer Kristin Bell, the drama series revolves around a teen sleuth whose life is turned upside down after the death of her best friend.
The series has been described as The OC meets Twin Peaks – but Ms Cooke argued The OC is shown at 8.30pm.
Other concerns she listed in a letter of complaint included excessive and extensive underage drinking at a party, references to the "date rape" drug Rohypnol, bullying, intimidation, blackmail, illegal drug use and violence.
"The comment made by the actress was `I was just having the standard rum and Coke, and Rohhy' making it sound perfectly acceptable for both the alcoholic drink and the use of the drug," Ms Cooke wrote. "It concerns me greatly as to the numerous inappropriate messages this (show) sends to our kids."
The South Australian Association of State Schools Organisations said showcasing adult themes such as underage drinking and rape without a moral message attached was a concern.
"Anything that portrays that sort of thing that could have an impact on young children would be quite objectionable, quite unwarranted," spokesman Clive Harrison said.
"I would have thought television stations would have learnt their lesson by now, showing things like this at crucial times when young kids are still up and about."
He backed the call that the network should review the timeslot of the program.
A Ten spokeswoman said the show was classified PG, which complied with the television industry's code of practice.
"We have a team of expert classifiers who review each scene," she said. "The important thing is the rape was not shown, only implied."
Looks like people are getting antsy now that Big Brother isn't on, and they need something to be morally outraged about.
I've always thought that it was silly to put an M show in a PG timeslot, but this article makes it sound like it should be rated R
Newsflash: anyone watching is going to hear much worse at school! Even primary school kids know about drinking, drugs and....gasp...sex!
I'm sure VM will send a whole lot of kids to parties accepting spiked drinks from strangers! Because they couldn't have been doing that already.