‘Beavis’ and ‘Program’ Test Viewer Sense

“Beavis and Butt-head,” MTV’s often funny, although sometimes crude, cartoon series, is being revamped so all references to fire are removed (“Child’s Death Prompts MTV to Retool ‘Beavis,’ ” Oct. 14). Howard Stern, arguably the most popular as well as controversial radio personality in history, is causing fines of over $1 million. The reason is that there are people who believe that watching and listening to sex and violence is causing people to have sex and to behave violently.

The ills of our nation are not caused by Stern’s mouth or the fictitious antics of two animated doodles. The reason lies in the fact that we as a nation are unequipped to properly apprehend, convict and imprison criminals.

What the government should do is take all the money it is spending to investigate television and radio shows and invest it in building more prisons and hiring more law enforcement officials, while taking a serious stand on putting and keeping criminals behind bars.

Furthermore, all FCC members should be replaced with people voted in. Let them go on television and say exactly what they stand for before they are given the power to tell us what we’re getting.

RICH CAPOGROSSO

Los Angeles

So what’s next? Should we pull copies of “Unforgiven” from video store shelves because a child might find shooting a rifle enticing? Should all episodes of “Three’s Company” be pulled out of syndication because children might imitate John Ritter tripping over a couch? (“Pop Culture. Violence. Copycats. Blame?,” Oct. 23.)

“Beavis and Butt-head” did not cause a child to set fire to his house. Irresponsible parenting did. “The Program” did not cause a child to lay down in the middle of a road. Irresponsible parenting did.

So why are we preventing ourselves from watching things we may find entertaining and worthwhile just because of a few irresponsible parents?

Parents need to realize that they have to take responsibility for how their children think and act, and MTV and Disney need to realize that it is not their responsibility to raise America’s children.

DANIEL TAUB

North Hills

Relocating “Beavis and Butt-head” was a fair compromise for people on both sides of the issue, yet the swiftness and willingness of MTV is not enough in some people’s minds. MTV’s motives should not be questioned as to “why” the move was made but accepted with gratitude and happiness that this was not dragged out.

WINDY GUERRA

Costa Mesa

I’ve seen three incidents in which people have become stuck in chimneys (two crooks and a boyfriend). I suppose we will have to get rid of Santa Claus, as he is setting a bad example.

BOB STEINER

Upland

Beavis and Butt-head are not meant to be role models. They are not meant to educate the youth of America. They are meant to be funny, and at that they succeed. They’re the two losers we all had in our 9th-grade biology class who did nothing but sit in the back of the class and screw around with the Bunsen burners.

I am willing to admit that the show is for adolescents and adults and that I do not think small children should watch. I also agree with taking the show out of its 7 p.m. time slot, but, for parents who want the show off the air, here’s an idea: Turn the TV off. Or get rid of the TV and give your kids a book. But I’m not your kid, so stop telling me what to watch.

LUKE MANNIX

Capistrano Beach

My son B.J., 13, feels that the boys copycatting the scene in “The Program” should be held responsible for their own acts. The fact that the movie is rated R indicates to parents that teens may not be responsible enough to view it without parental intervention.

When we saw the movie, I noticed immediately that the subject matter attracted a young group. I have discussed the potential for irresponsible acts with B.J.

Lying in the middle of a busy road may seem suicidal to adults but may simply be testing the limits to some adolescents. When Disney made the movie, perhaps it should have interjected a more obvious reality: that someone would be killed or severely injured.

CATHY HADDAD

Chino Hills

Hollywood is inviting government controls, which will erode freedom of expression for everyone. Hollywood tests audience endurance for sex and violence by steadily increasing the intensity. When the public screams, Hollywood ignores those protests and rushes to the courts, usually winning on “freedom of expression.”

The frustrated public, relentlessly subjected to this, sooner or later will trade freedom of expression for protection from assault by pop culture. Hollywood can take the blame when government controls descend.

M. JAFFE

Thousand Oaks