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PFC working to STOP 'Gossip Girl' episode
Palmetto Family is joining with the Parents Television Council in asking CW Network affiliates to preempt the next teen-targeted "Gossip Girl" episode on November 9, which will feature major characters in a sexual threesome according to CW's own ads for the upcoming episode. "Gossip Girl" airs at 9 pm ET/PT and 8 pm CT/MT. "To include a storyline like this on a program that is expressly targeted to impressionable teenagers is reckless and irresponsible. We are asking each CW Network affiliate to use their common sense and preempt this episode," said PTC President Tim Winter, who wrote a letter to CW Network President Dawn Ostroff and to each affiliate. "CW has been defending graphic content on 'Gossip Girl' by asserting that they don't target teenagers. Such a claim doesn't even pass the 'laugh test.' The network's own promotions talk about the program as a 'parent's worst nightmare.' How many 30-year olds care what their parents think? Zero. Only a teenager would be responsive to a parental 'forbidden fruit' marketing ploy like that, and CW knows it." Palmetto Family Council President Dr. Oran Smith agreed, saying that the program and the time slot clash with South Carolina values. "Because this is not a cable-only show, the content travels on public airwaves. Other parts of the country can do what they want, but we are calling on the CW affiliates in South Carolina to stand with decency and South Carolina values by finding something else to run on Monday night at 9:00 p.m." Palmetto Family needs you to act NOW! This episode is scheduled for Monday, November 9, so time is of the essence. Palmetto Family asks you to contact your local CW affiliate and tell them this kind of programming is unacceptable. Remind them that the FCC has affirmed affiliates' ability to pre-empt any network programming that is "unsatisfactory or unsuitable or contrary to the public interest." The record on this is clear: contracts between networks and their affiliates may not legally prevent preemption of programming that does not meet LOCAL COMMUNITY standards. Let them know that this kind of programming does not meet your standards. MIDLANDS-COLUMBIA FLORENCE-MYRTLE BEACH UPSTATE-GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG
HILTON HEAD-BEAUFORT-SAVANNAH Thank you! P.S. After you've called your local affiliate, you may also want to contact the CW's headquarters in Los Angeles. And--remember--even though we're in the right on this one, it's always best to be very polite when making these kinds of calls! Dawn Ostroff, President (Click HERE for PTC's original letter of complaint.) (Click HERE for "The Gossip Mill," an article exposing the "teen-entertainment factory" behind this show.) Description of Gossip Girl: Based on a series of popular novels by Cecily Von Ziegesar, Gossip Girl follows the lives of young, privileged socialites in New York City. Now in its third season, the main characters have begun college. The show conveys the message that sex is a tool used to manipulate people. Real consequences are non-existent in this fantasy world and the characters play musical chairs with their sex-partners, but suffer no physical or psychological ramifications. Drugs and alcohol are omnipresent on the show though none of the characters are legally old enough to drink. |
