ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, December 17, 1996 TAG: 9612190003
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
Here's something you won't like to hear: The television industry is about to let you down. And here's another: If you think the television executives are going to look after your kids, you're letting yourself - and your kids - way down.
Right now, the television industry is being watched with great interest from many corners - the government, families, the legal profession - and very closely from within. In the next week, a group of executives will reveal what guidelines they've chosen as a ratings system for TV shows.
In many ways, it doesn't matter, because nobody will be happy. The television industry doesn't want to be rated but is federally mandated to be. Parents want a system that will accurately describe specific violent, sexual or language content - but the television industry will implode if it tried to deliver. What the government wants is a system that neatly makes the so-called ``V-chip'' work flawlessly, even though that technology is at least two years away, is unproven and you'd have to buy a new TV to get it.
So nobody's going to get what they want.
The TV industry will be rated. According to internal documents obtained by The Washington Post, the likely ratings will be: TV-G, for general audiences (with little or no violence, sex or strong language); TV-PG, for parental guidance (an extremely broad category that allows for limited elements of violence, strong language and ``suggestive sexual dialogue and situations''); TV-14, which strongly cautions parents about content that is unsuitable for those under 14; and TV-M, for mature audiences. This is essentially an NC-17 rating (since the standards - but not the letters - of the Motion Picture Association of America will be used). TV-M is almost exclusively for cable programs.
There also will be ratings for youngsters' shows: TV-K, for all children, and TV-K7 for children older than 7.
Vague and hard to understand? You bet.
Nevertheless, let's assume that in the next week, these guidelines are adopted. How would some of the Nielsen's top shows be rated (regular shows only, no sports or specials)? Here's a look:
*''Seinfeld'': TV-PG. Just look at the guidelines: ``The program may contain infrequent coarse language, limited violence, some suggestive sexual dialogue and situations.''
*``Friends'': TV-PG. It fits the description, though some parents may say this show delves into sex too often. Still, it doesn't go into the ``sophisticated themes, strong language, more intense violence and sexual content'' as described in TV-14. Should parents be ``strongly cautioned'' about ``Friends''? You can bet the TV industry doesn't think so, not for this Top 10 show that advertisers love because it caters to youth.
*``60 Minutes'': Here's a dilemma. News shows have stated that they will not allow their programs to be rated, saying it infringes upon their First Amendment rights. Maybe ``60 Minutes'' won't cross the line, but alleged ``news'' shows like ``Inside Edition'' certainly will.
*``The X-Files'': TV-14. No question, this show is not for the squeamish. But neither will it merit a TV-M. The real question: Will Fox fight such a rating, since ``The X-Files'' enjoys a strong younger viewership?
*``ER'': TV-PG. Yes, there's blood, but little or no intense violence or sex. Certainly a tough call for parents.
*``NYPD Blue'': TV-14. Which posits the question, ``Do you want your 14-year-old to see Sharon Lawrence's butt and then see someone get shot?''
*``Frasier'': TV-G. Relatively tame.
*``Ellen'': TV-PG. Don't expect that to change even if she comes out as a lesbian.
*``Caroline in the City'': TV-G. Relatively tame.
*``Third Rock from the Sun'': TV-PG. It's a comedy, but it frequently goes for crotch jokes. It's this kind of gray area that will allow the industry to opt for PG.
There you have it. Two TV-G shows, five examples of TV-PG and two of TV-14 (and one weekly news program that will probably be unrated). If you think TV-PG is too strong, you'll end up blocking out seven of the top 10 shows.
So a ratings system will not please everyone - and maybe not anyone. But the guidelines, however flawed, should help. Common sense, too, is essential: Television is nothing if not repetitive. Rarely does it pull a major surprise. Sit down and watch a show on your own, without your kids. If ``Cybill'' is too racy for you one week, you can bet it will be next week. If you think ``Millennium'' is too violent and scary one week, it will be again. And again.
With or without a ratings system, parents will never be able to separate themselves from educating their children about TV and shielding them from it if necessary.
There is no relief. You are your own relief.
LENGTH: Medium: 87 linesby CNB