TV Trends
In a commercial break during NBA Finals game 4, I saw ads for two new shows on ABC.
One is a reality show called 'Wife Swap.' The tagline is 'There's a new Mommy in Town.' Without much information to go on, this already had me worried. A Google News search later, I found out more of the details. In this article, it is explained that bedroom activity isn't involved, but that other household duties are. That's a relief, but it still has me worried. Why? I guess it's the fact that they're making a game out of the family unit. TV has already made fun of the traditional family. Now it's further trivializing it on the assumption that the women are interchangeable: "Let's see what happens when Sally acts as wife and mom in the Jones family."
The second ad was for a show called 'Desperate Housewives.' Again, the title alone has me wanting to rip out the limited cable that we do have. The ad shows a woman reviewing her To-Do list: buy groceries; repair car; cheat on husband (which is circled in red). At first, I thought that this was also a reality show. To my slight relief, it is not.
But it begs the question -- where are the shows that build up and encourage functional families? Where are the Huxtables? Where are the Keatons and the Seavers? Sure, these weren't the best shows, but at least they showed positive role models and encouraged loving family relationships.
I agree that Television shouldn't be where we learn how to be responsible parents, faithful spouses, or well-behaved children. But it saddens me that so much work, money, and talent goes into shows that chip away at the moral fabric of our nation.
Genesis 2:24 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."
Phil. 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."
What do you think? Is this harmless entertainment or a threat to families?
4 Comments:
It's been said 'nobody ever lost money understimating the American public'. I pray a general lack of interest in these shows proves that addage wrong.
I'm with SpaceMonkey on this. I hope the shows will be a failure which would slightly renew my faith in the American people. But I fear they won't be. Every once in a while I'm pleasantly surprised though. After all, Coupling was a spectacular bomb.
Television is in the business of selling products. Providing quality programing is just a method used to reach their goals.
It only makes sense that they would want to attract the audience that is most inclined to buy the products. The products I see advertized are drugs, cars, and casinos
People who are on a strong moral foundation are not going to have nearly the appetite for the products television is trying to sell. To be successful selling them, they must attract the less moral segment of society, or nudge people off of their moral foundations.
I agree with Josh. Obviously, the TV ratings are going to be higher when they play the "smut". It is unfortunate, but true. What disgusts me most is hearing about Christian women who find shows like "Desparate Housewives" ammusing. I had to tune in out of curiosity. Entertaining?...Yes! Worth watching?...No! Shows like this give people the impression that cheating, gossiping, back stabbing...ect is all acceptable. Shows such as this also ruin the picture of how a family should be.
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