Too Much Ado About Bawdy Language

I, like many other Americans, have seen and heard just about enough when it comes to the absurd debate over the family “viewability” of television in the mid-1990s. I laughed out loud when I read about the latest controversy concerning Steven Bochco’s new sitcom “Public Morals” (“Certain Words Put TV on the Cutting Edge of Controversy,” Calendar, July 24). From what I have read, the series may break new ground when it comes to ribald language, although Bochco has since said he won’t go as far as initially indicated. Still, I suspect a whole lot of us will be tuned in just to hear what is said.

And who’s to blame? We are. All of us. A little more than 25 years ago a controversial show called “All in the Family” premiered. It too pushed the envelope of language and subject matter, and guess what? It aired at 8 p.m. for most of its run. And we watched in droves.

It is because of the popularity of shows like “All in the Family” that we as viewers became much more demanding. We (not just the critics) have constantly lauded programs with the more sophisticated and controversial themes and ridiculed the programs that seem childish and undaring. Who’s kidding whom here? The only reason this debate is so fiery is that shows like “Friends,” “Mad About You” and “NYPD Blue” are popular.

Keep this dirty little secret under your hat, but just between us, some of the most colorful and bawdy language on TV can be found on (gasp) “Masterpiece Theatre.” Oops, I forgot that most of the episodes of that program are just a bit too sophisticated for the average politician or TV watchdog.

So why now, in 1996, are we clamoring to the Big Four networks that they clean up their acts? I have not heard once any complaint about the lack of credible and understandable stories. Have we become such a society of sound bites that we are more offended by the mention of a word that sounds too much like an expletive than exploring the content in which it may have been intended? Are we such creatures of habit that we don’t know how to change a channel from something we don’t care for?

In 1971 there were no such things as Nickelodeon, Discovery, Cartoon Network, Arts & Entertainment, WB Network or even the Family Channel. The last time I checked, all of these cable and broadcast networks offered extremely family-friendly viewing at 8 p.m. (In fact a good portion of it could even be classified as educational!) So those of you who are offended by the fare you see on prime-time network television should turn off your sets, change the channel or we can all sit and watch until we’re zombies.