TV: From Vast Wasteland to Vast Cesspool

Over 50 years ago, on May 9,  1961, Newton Minnow, then chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, gave a speech in which he referred to TV as a "vast wasteland." This is what he said:

"When television is good, nothing — not the theater, not the magazines or newspapers — nothing is better.

But when television is bad, nothing is worse. I invite each of you to sit down in front of your own television set when your station goes on the air and stay there, for a day, without a book, without a magazine, without a newspaper, without a profit and loss sheet or a rating book to distract you. Keep your eyes glued to that set until the station signs off. I can assure you that what you will observe is a vast wasteland.

You will see a procession of game shows, formula comedies about totally unbelievable families, blood and thunder, mayhem, violence, sadism, murder, western bad men, western good men, private eyes, gangsters, more violence, and cartoons. And endlessly commercials — many screaming, cajoling, and offending. And most of all, boredom. True, you'll see a few things you will enjoy. But they will be very, very few. And if you think I exaggerate, I only ask you to try it."

This was in the days of The Andy Griffith Show, Leave It To Beaver, Lassie, Father Knows Best, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and for some "racy" stuff, Peter Gunn.  Most people never had more than 7 channels, and that was in the city.  For those in the country, they were lucky to have 1 or 2 channels.  TV stations actually signed off at night and came back on in the morning usually with the national anthem and a patriotic video.  If you missed a TV show, there was no way to record it and go back and watch it again. 

But now there are hundreds of channels to choose from, and they are all on 24/7.  We have DVR's and other ways in which to record the programs and watch them when we want and however many times we wish.  My cable company allows me to watch not only on TV but on iPads, iPhones, iPods and laptops.  I can actually carry TV around with me wherever I go, even into the bathroom.

Some might think that the term "vast wasteland" is still a good moniker for TV.  However, I think "vast cesspool" is much more fitting. 

On what may seem an entirely different subject, but really isn't, the Collect from today's Traditional Latin Mass is:

"Grant, O Lord, unto Thy people grace to avoid all contact with the devil, and with pure minds to follow Thee, the only God."

Everything in this world comes from one of two sources.  It is either of God or of the devil.  Where you do you think most TV shows come from?  Are we avoiding contact with the devil when we watch TV shows that promote sexual perversity, brutality and moral ambiguity?  Below is an article from Media Research Center on the shows that are up for Emmys this year and just what they represent. 

2012 Emmys Honor the Profane

What does Hollywood value? Sex and lawlessness.
Published: 9/21/2012 11:08 AM ET

By Lauren Thompson
Author Archive

In typical Hollywood fashion the 2012 Emmy Awards are giving the high honors to television shows that trade in sexual depravity and even brutality. The ceremony, which will air Sunday evening on ABC, is sure to be a glamorous roll in the mud.

HBO shows “Game of Thrones,” “Girls,” and “Boardwalk Empire” are all nominated in respected categories. “Game of Thrones” received harsh backlash for decapitating former President George W. Bush and even came under fire by liberal critics for a litany of gratuitous sex scenes.  [According to Wikipedia, "Game of Thrones" explores the themes of magic, social hierarchy, crime and punishment, civil war, sexuality and incest, and religion, apart from moral ambiguity of its characters.  From an interview:  Game of Thrones star Kit Harington has claimed that sex is "very important" to the show  The actor, who plays Jon Snow, hinted that the forthcoming second season would be even more explicit than the first.  "The second season doesn't hold back in that area," he told Vulture. "We go even further in our explicitness, because sex is being used as a weapon. It's such an important part of the series."]

George W. Bush's decapitated head in "Game of Thrones"

The gory, medieval drama is nominated for two Emmys.

“Girls,” is hailed by liberals as “a dawn of a bold and honest new era” for its ability to inflict on viewers graphic, ugly sex scenes, drug use and plots about abortion and masturbation.

Other nominees for bread-winning categories are “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad.” “Mad Men” follows the life of philandering advertising executive Jon Hamm and is always a favorite for an award. “Breaking Bad,” AMC’s popular show about a chemistry teacher turned meth manufacter, also receives regular praise and awards.

And what awards show wouldn’t be complete without a heavy dose of gay culture? ABC’s “Modern Family” is thought to be a lock to win in its respective categories. 

Homosexual kiss from "Modern Family"

[From Wikipedia: "Modern Family drew criticism from the LGBT community for its portrayal of Cameron and Mitchell as not being physically affectionate with each other. The criticism spawned a Facebook campaign to demand Mitchell and Cameron be allowed to kiss. In response to the controversy, producers released a statement that a season two episode would address Mitchell's discomfort with public displays of affection. Executive producer Levitan has said that it was unfortunate that the issue had arisen, since the show's writers had always planned on such a scene "as part of the natural development of the show." The episode "The Kiss" eventually aired with the kiss scene in the background which drew praise from multiple critics.]

Other sordid offerings include FX’s crass comedy show called “Louie C.K.” In one episode CK took part in a staged debate over masturbation against an opponent, labeled a virgin Christian, who had formed a group that was adamantly opposed it. CK berated the girl for her beliefs and ended the uncomfortable scene by telling her, “I’m going to think about you later when I masturbate, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”  [I am particularly offended by Greg Gutfeld who plays himself in this episode and who is a Catholic.  Why aren't the bishops saying something about this?]

From the Louis CK Show in which he debates about masturbation
This is entertainment and worthy of an Emmy?

 Lovely.

As vapid and self-congratulatory as the Emmys and other entertainment awards shows are, they perform one valuable service: they make it clear exactly who and what Hollywood values and celebrates. And it’s not ordinary Americans.  

* * * 

I don't quite get the last statement from this article.   If these values are not about ordinary Americans, then why are ordinary Americans watching these shows?   The last show mentioned in this article, Louis CK, stars one of the most immoral, anti-God comedians in our era.  He has picked up where George Carlin - pray for his poor, sad soul - left off.  If you can stand it, here is a routine from Louis CK in which he blasphemes God in telling the story of Abraham and Isaac.  The story of Abraham and Isaac is a beautiful story from the Old Testament which pictures the sacrifice of the Son of God to save humanity from eternal damnation.  Warning:  this video is completely blasphemous against the God of the Universe.




According to Wikipedia, this is the reception given to Louis CK's show:

Although initial critical response to the show was mostly positive but divided, Louie has gone on to receive almost unanimous critical acclaim. The first season earned 70 out of 100 rating based on 20 reviews on Metacritic. The stand-up segments received strong praise, as did the show's perceived "indie film" style, with some likening the show to the work of Woody Allen. Criticisms largely centered on the pacing and low-key delivery of the show's jokes, which often include long setups compared to the rapid-fire punchlines of a traditional sitcom.

Critical response to Louie improved since its debut, with the show appearing on 9 of the 28 "top show" lists tracked by Metacritic for 2010, and 22 of 39 lists in 2011, which included 3 lists where the show was ranked 1st. The first four episodes of the second season scored 90 out of 100 based on 7 reviews on Metacritic. The third season has received very positive reviews, scoring 94 out of 100 based on 16 reviews on Metacritic.

This show is up for Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. 

UPDATE:  Modern Family won Emmys for Best Comedy Series, Supporting Actor and Actress and Directing Comedy.  Louis CK won for Writing Comedy and Writing, Variety, Music or Comedy Special (C.K. Live at the Beacon Theatre)

Why aren't the bishops speaking out against this?  People's souls are in danger of eternal hellfire if they keep putting this kind of garbage into their minds.  And yet our Bishops are silent.

Here are some excerpts from one of the best TV shows ever created, The Twilight Zone, from an episode entitled "The Obsolete Man."  This episode was originally broadcast on June 2, 1961, about one month after Newton Minnow gave his famous "vast wasteland" speech.  Towards the end of this episode, when Burgess Meredith's character is awaiting his execution, we hear him reading aloud from Psalm 23.  If this was a wasteland, may we please have it back?

Old TV Shows Are Good For Your Mental Well Being

The Bob Newhat Show
TV doesn't get any better than this

I don't watch any current TV shows either on network or cable TV.  I cannot relate to them nor do I want to try.  I find the characters, for the most part, to be shallow and annoying, and I get really, really tired of the constant sexuality of the shows and the secular, anti-traditional moral values that they promote. 

But that doesn't mean I never watch TV.  In my opinion, one of man's greatest creations is Netflix streaming.  That has become my favorite TV channel by far.  I love being able to sit down and watch the old Dick Van Dyke Show, Murder She Wrote, Twilight Zone, Wonder Years, or Monk.  My all-time favorite comedy is the first Bob Newhart Show.  Bob, Emily, Jerry, Carol and Howard are all like old friends to me.

I always thought I was a little weird in this.  Why would I enjoy watching something from 40 years ago that I've seen literally dozens of times, and still laugh just as hard as when I first saw it?  Well, a new study tells me that I'm not crazy, and that I'm actually doing something that's good for me. 


One thing the study doesn't mention, but for me is a very real factor, is that when I watch old TV shows, and I'm talking from 30 or more years ago, I love the fact that they are not overtly sexual, they still for the most part promote traditional values, and they are characters who honestly care about one another.  On the Bob Newhart Show, Bob and Emily truly love one another, and the characters are all fiercely loyal to one another.  It really is like spending time with old friends.  For a short time I can forget the evil world that surrounds me and immerse myself in another time and place.  The cast on The Mary Tyler Moore Show are old friends to me.  I love Mary's apartment, the fact that she always looks absolutely perfect, the way in which she interacts and really cares about the people in her life.  

And of course, the music from all these shows is wonderful.  "You can turn the world on with your smile."  Does it get any better?

Here is an article from the The Daily Mail about the study.  The article mentions shows more from the last 10 to 20 years.  I'm an old geezer.  For me you have go to back 30 years, to the 80's, to get anything decent. And 40 to 50 years ago - the 60's and 70's - is when you will find the truly great TV shows.

Why watching reruns of your favourite TV shows can give you a mental boost

Researchers found will power and self control boosted
People were even able to perform better on puzzles after an episode 
By Mark Prigg

PUBLISHED:06:57 EST, 7 September 2012| UPDATED:08:43 EST, 7 September 2012

If you've ever settled down with a box set of your favourite TV show, then good news - scientists say it may have given you a mental boost.

Researchers at the University of Buffalo found people had boosted will power and self control after watching a favourite show.

They say people even performed better on puzzles after settling down in front of an episode they had seen several times before.

Researches found that watching old TV show repeats such as Sex and the City The Bill Cosby Show can actual give you a mental boost and increase willpower.

 'When you watch a favorite re-run, you typically don't have to use any effort to control what you are thinking, saying or doing,' said Jaye Derrick at the University at Buffalo, who led the research.

'You are not exerting the mental energy required for self-control or willpower,'

'At the same time, you are enjoying your 'interaction,' with the TV show's characters, and this activity restores your energy.'

She believes that watching a rerun of a favorite TV show may help restore the drive to get things done in people who have used up their reserves of willpower or self-control.

'People have a limited pool of these valuable mental resources,' she said.

'When they use them on a task, they use up some of this limited resource.

'Therefore, they have less willpower and self-control for the next task.

'With enough time, these mental resources will return.

'However, there may be ways to more quickly restore them.'

However, the team found the key was a rerun - new shows simply had no effect.

Hit shows from the past such as Knight Rider I Love Lucy can give people a boost and even improve their ability to complete puzzles.

 'The restorative effect I found is specific to re-watching favorite television shows." Derrick says.

'Just watching whatever is on television does not provide the same benefit.

And perhaps surprisingly, watching a new episode of a favorite television show for the first time does not provide the same benefit.

'Based on my research, I would argue that watching television is not all bad.

'While there is a great deal of research demonstrating that violent television can increase aggression, and watching television may be contributing to the growing obesity epidemic, watching a favorite television show can provide a variety of benefits, which may enhance overall wellbeing,' she said.

In the first of her two studies published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, Derrick asked half of the participants to complete a structured task which required concentrated effort.

The other half were asked to complete a similar but less structured task that allowed them more freedom and required much less effort.

Then half of the participants were asked to write about their favorite television show while the other half listed items in their room (a "neutral" task).

Following this, the participants were tested to measure any reduction or renewal of willpower.

Those who wrote about their favorite television show (rather than listing items in their room) wrote for longer if they had done the structured task than if they had done the less-structured task.

This, Derrick says, indicates these participants were seeking out their favorite TV shows and they wanted to spend more time thinking about them.

Classic shows such as Columbo were key to the boost, watching modern shows was found to have no effect.

And writing about their favorite television show restored their energy levels and allowed them to perform better on a difficult puzzle.

In the second study, participants did a daily diary study.

They reported on their effortful tasks, media consumption and energy levels each day.

If they had to do difficult tasks, they were more likely to seek out a re-run of their favorite television show, to re-watch a favorite movie or to re-read a favorite book.

Doing so restored their energy levels.

The team found the key was to watch an episode where the viewer identified with the characters, and relaxed completely as they watched

'In other words, there was a measurable restorative effect from a familiar fictional world,' Derrick finds.

Derrick's new research will expand on these findings and examine other social consequences of television.

'I have found, for example, that favorite television shows can actually increase people's pro-social behavior.

'Specifically, after thinking about a favorite television show, people are more willing to forgive others, are more willing to help a stranger and are more willing to sacrifice for their romantic partner,' she says.

Shows such as Dawson's Creek Wonder Years can actually help people feel more forgiving as they empathise with characters and plots.

And just because I love it so much, here's the theme to The Bob Newhart Show:

Vulgarity and Immorality Reign Supreme

Back in the 1950's, when the most popular show on TV was "I Love Lucy", the main character, Lucy, became pregnant.  But the broadcasters at that time did not want to take the least chance of offending any of the viewing public, so the word "pregnant" was never even used on the show.  Lucy and her husband were never seen in bed together, and there was never so much as a hint of anything sexual between them.  They were loving and affectionate, and that's all we needed to know and see. Somehow, the viewing public never felt cheated because they didn't see every vulgar and/or private aspect of married life.  This show is still seen on TV around the world and is loved as much as it ever was.

Fast forward 60 years, and now we rarely see loving affectionate couples on TV, but we do see a whole lot of sex and hear words used that most people back in the 1950's did not even use in real life, at least not in polite society, much less on national TV. Our society has become coarse and crude to an extent that would not have been dreamed of two generations ago. Sex is a constant subject on TV, and interestingly, the sex that is shown on TV is rarely between a husband and wife, but almost always between people not married to one another, and more and more often, we are seeing homosexual sex, or at least implied homosexual sex. The portrayal of intact families with a loving wife and husband and happy, well adjusted kids who get themselves into relatively harmless trouble, e.g., "Leave it to Beaver" is pretty much non-existent. (Didn't we all want Ward Cleaver, who was always the most understanding and supportive of all fathers, as our father?  Instead, kids today are given Homer Simpson and the Family Guy, who are narcissistic, selfish and the worst of all role models.)  Even shows from the 80's like "The Cosby Show and "Family Ties", which portrayed strong, loving and traditional families, are extinct dinosaurs. God and religion, of course, are never mentioned except in a profane, insulting manner. 

A case involving the definition of decency on the airwaves was recently brought in the Supreme Court, the highest court in our land and the one to make final decisions on the meaning of the law.  The Supreme Court, in its decision, basically punted, finding that the use of the "F word" and nudity were not wrong and those responsible should not be punished.  They have left the decision of defining decency and acceptable standards up to the broadcasters, most of whom are atheists and amoral, if not actually immoral.  Their "standards", such as they are, basically consist of whatever they can get away with.  They seem to constantly push the envelope, striving for new lows, and the result is to vulgarize and debase our society. 

It should be noted that this was a unanimous decision of the Court.  Even those whom many conservatives feel can be counted on to stand up for what is right - Justices Scalia, Thomas, Roberts and Alito - whom many look to as the saviors on the court, voted right along with the "liberal justices" in this ruling. 

Let's face it.  Our society is falling off the cliff when it comes to morality.  The television networks have no problem broadcasting almost any kind of depravity, vulgarity or immorality.  They haven't gotten into bestiality or pedophilia, YET.  But so far, other than those two issues, the only "hot buttons" they will stay away from are portrayals of moral, loving, supportive and God-fearing people.

Below is the article from theage.com.au regarding the ruling.  Read it and weep especially for the children in our world who are being robbed of their innocence and purity by the evil, immoral and spiritually bankrupt programming that is today called entertainment.

Television's indecency rules in chaos

The US Supreme Court has invalidated fines levelled for a blurted broadcasting of curse words and bare buttocks shots in a television series, effectively quashing American television indecency standards.

The justices said in a unanimous decision that the Federal Communications Commission's policy against vulgarity on television was ''vague'' and threw out fines against TV networks Fox and America's ABC.

''Because the FCC failed to give Fox or ABC fair notice prior to the broadcasts in question that fleeting expletives and momentary nudity could be found actionably indecent, the commissions' standards as applied to these broadcasts were vague,'' the Supreme Court said in its ruling.

The court, however, said that the FCC is ''free to modify its current indecency policy'' in light of the ruling. [Does anyone for one moment think that the FCC is going to suddenly say that they have been too lax and should not allow vulgar and immoral programming?] The High Court had been asked by the watchdog, on the heels of a string of incidents on different networks, whether its decency-minded regulation was in line with constitution and freedom of speech guarantees. In some of the incidents under the microscope, singer-actress Cher and reality TV star Nicole Richie used swear words during ceremonies that were broadcast live on Fox television.

In another, an episode of the series NYPD Blue broadcast on ABC pictured a nude woman from behind as she entered a shower.

The networks' case won a boost when a New York appeals court ruled that the definition of indecency on television and radio was constitutionally unclear, and ran counter to free speech.  [This is code for "we can do anything we want to do, no matter how base or immoral."]

The Supreme Court declined to issue a broad ruling on the constitutionality of the indecency policy, concluding only that Fox and ABC could not have known in advance that their broadcasts could give rise to sanctions.

Do Yourself and Your Family A Favor
and Turn OFF the TV