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Viewers Cry Foul Over ABC Promo for Desperate Houswives

© F. Colin Kingston

Talk about timing. Last week I wrote a column about the controversy surrounding ABC's airing of Steven Spielberg's Academy-Award winning film "Saving Private Ryan." This week there is an even bigger controversy, again involving ABC. It concerns their promotional skit for "Desperate Housewives" which aired at the start of last week's "Monday Night Football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. More on that controversy shortly.

After I gave my feelings on the "Saving Private Ryan" controversy in my last column, I invited readers to write in and share their thoughts on the matter. In case you missed what I wrote, my comments were as follows:

"Ever since the Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction" during the Super Bowl, people have gone nuts. Haven't these people ever heard of the on/off button or the remote control?

Thanks to electronic devices such as the V-Chip, parents can now program their television to not accept programming they find objectionable. Of course, that would mean they'd have to read the instruction manual and learn how to use such devices. This also means making an effort to understand the TV ratings system. Perhaps that is asking too much of these people.

Government shouldn't be the ones doing the parenting. Parents are the ones obligated to screen what types of movies and television programs their children watch. I wouldn't force anyone to watch programming they find objectionable. Nor should others try to force their television viewing habits on me. Give me the choice and let me make my own decision as to what is and is not acceptable in my own household. What is so hard about that?"

Suite101.com Reader Randy Gartner of Robesonia, Pa brings up a good point when he says, "While I do agree that parents are the ones that should control what their kids watch, the Janet Jackson/Super Bowl episode blindsided everyone. There's no way a parent could have foresaw that coming." Point well taken, Randy.

Gartner goes on to say, "I think the violence in the movie ("Private Ryan") certainly should be left in. As a veteran, I think it is important that younger viewers realize war is not like some video game. Since Spielberg said the movie could not be edited, then ABC should have started the movie later. I am weary of government censorship, but I think the TV stations have to use some common sense or else we'll hear cries for more."

Prophetic words indeed, especially considering the events of this past week. For those of you who may not know what I'm talking about, the promo on MNF involved the Eagles' star receiver Terrell Owens and "Desperate Housewives" co-star Nicolette Sheridan.

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