Glee - I have a problem with it.

Tim Robbins

I watched Glee yesterday. This style of this program is aimed from ages 8 up. It is edited like a disney move. The characters are good looking innocent simple types and dizzy air heads. They are no big words in the script. It is set in a school. The way they break into songs and dancing suddenly is a trick used in every kids show even bosco.

However, the content is about adult themes. The entire story yesterday was about losing virginity. I have a problem with this. Number 1, I fear 11 year olds will watch it and then think they should be having sex. Number 2, there is no mention of safe sex. STDs, unplanned pregnancies are about as relevant as American foreign policy.

Your opinions...

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

it's not tv for 8 year olds it's tv for idiots, and it has a forum here on boards

yaaaaaaay

gaz wac

yea but the blond one is a HOTTIEEEEE !!!!

Vegeta

Pantera were mentioned in that episode. I love Pantera

You do make a fair point though

ziedth

In this day and age OP young people are bombarded with sex from all sides.

I think it's a major major stretch tbh to single out this one show as being any worse then the music stations, the lyrics of a lady ga ga song or news papers.

It's not a great show by any means even though I do watch it but this is the world we live in, it's up to parents to stop their 8 year olds watching shows that obviously aren't aimed at them.

JohnK

I take it you missed the pregnant cheerleader then and all the trouble shes had? And the fact that the two girls both decided they didnt want to have sex? And that the one guy who did have sex with the other cheerleader felt it was empty and disapointing and that he regrets doing it?

Basq

Moved it to the 'Glee' forum!

Tim Robbins

JohnK wrote: »

I take it you missed the pregnant cheerleader then and all the trouble shes had? And the fact that the two girls both decided they didnt want to have sex? And that the one guy who did have sex with the other cheerleader felt it was empty and disapointing and that he regrets doing it?

I don't think a program that is of the format for 8 years old should even mention s*x. Desperate Housewives and Sex in the City are both usually on after the watershed.

I watched Glee thinking it was a kids program and then was a bit shocked to see them all talking about Sex very casually. I don't agree with this. It is grossly irresponsible.

FouxDaFaFa

Fair enough, you don't like it. But I think you're wrong about it being aimed at 8 year olds. By your logic, something like South Park (which is a cartoon, traditionally a children's tv format) is also wrong and misleading.

While Glee does deal with sex it leans in quite a conservative direction. In the episode you watched, Rachel and Emma decided that they were not ready for sex so they decided not to go through with it. I think that promotes power for women and celebrates waiting for the right person. Finn did the opposite and they made it very clear that he regrets his decision.
As someone has already mentioned, Quinn has faced a lot of hardship and fallout due to her pregnancy so I really don't think Glee is promoting casual sex.

I can understand you being surprised if you watched it thinking it was a children's show but I don't think it's being marketed as such and if children do watch it, it certainly won't be the worst thing they'll be exposed to on tv.

candy-gal1

At least its a proper programme, well acted, different, and not full of "rich kids" aka the hills, oc, etc.
sex is everywhere in the media tbh, and kids nowadays seem to be a lot more sex-wise if you will than before- except when it comes to using something as their seems to be a pregnancy as a career epidemic in some parts!:rolleyes:

Tim Robbins

FouxDaFaFa wrote: »

Fair enough, you don't like it. But I think you're wrong about it being aimed at 8 year olds. By your logic, something like South Park (which is a cartoon, traditionally a children's tv format) is also wrong and misleading.

While Glee does deal with sex it leans in quite a conservative direction. In the episode you watched, Rachel and Emma decided that they were not ready for sex so they decided not to go through with it. I think that promotes power for women and celebrates waiting for the right person. Finn did the opposite and they made it very clear that he regrets his decision.
As someone has already mentioned, Quinn has faced a lot of hardship and fallout due to her pregnancy so I really don't think Glee is promoting casual sex.

I can understand you being surprised if you watched it thinking it was a children's show but I don't think it's being marketed as such and if children do watch it, it certainly won't be the worst thing they'll be exposed to on tv.

If you take away the s*x from it, what age range do you think it has?

Basq

I'm really having a problem understanding Tim Robbins's argument here!

Outside of the fact it's a Glee / singing club setting - the show's hardly aimed at an 8 years old audience.

The majority of the dialogue and content would go over the head at anyone at that age.. and the show's biting humour would not definitely not appeal to the "Disney Club" demographic!

It's no different to kids being subjected to the idea of rape and murder while their parents are watching Eastenders or Coronation Street.

FouxDaFaFa

Tim Robbins wrote: »

If you take away the s*x from it, what age range do you think it has?

It's hard to put an age range on it but I do think that children and young teenagers wouldn't understand a lot of the humour. That being said, they might still watch it and enjoy it without getting the jokes. i mean, do you really think your average 8 year old is going to understand half of what Sue Sylvester says?

Tim Robbins

FouxDaFaFa wrote: »

It's hard to put an age range on it but I do think that children and young teenagers wouldn't understand a lot of the humour. That being said, they might still watch it and enjoy it without getting the jokes. i mean, do you really think your average 8 year old is going to understand half of what Sue Sylvester says?

I haven't watched it intensly but from a cursory glance and the time it is on I would argue it has the format of a show for 10 year olds and up. Element of subjectivity in this which is why I asked for your opinions.

Anything with similar sex references in it has would usually get a 16's cert at least which is why I have a problem with it.

anotherlostie

I think a parent letting an 8yr old watch the show is way more irresponsible than anything the show portrays. It is NOT a kids' show, simple as. The South Park analogy is a great one.

FouxDaFaFa

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Anything with similar sex references in it has would usually get a 16's cert at least which is why I have a problem with it.

Well as far as I know Ireland doesn't classify tv programmes with age certs. Obviously there is a watershed though. I really don't think that if you were to give Glee a cert it would be as high as 16. It is pretty tame. There is no graphic violence, no depictions or graphic descriptions of sex, no nudity, no cursing. You'd see worse in Emmerdale or Coronation Street and they're both on earlier than Glee.

DingosAteMyBaby

*Facepalm* My time machine worked, I'm back in the 50's!

Chinafoot

Tim Robbins wrote: »

I haven't watched it intensly but from a cursory glance and the time it is on I would argue it has the format of a show for 10 year olds and up. Element of subjectivity in this which is why I asked for your opinions.

Anything with similar sex references in it has would usually get a 16's cert at least which is why I have a problem with it.

Glee is aired at 8pm on TV3. How is that aimed at 8 year - 10 year olds?
Coronation Street airs at 7:30pm. Emmerdale at 7pm. Children under 10 are most likely in bed by 8pm. I know I was.

There are no age certs placed on television shows. The fact that its on at 8pm and is very clearly a comedy instantly lets you know that this is not a children's programme. People need to stop assuming Glee is the same as High School Musical because of the setting and singing. Its a lazy assumption as the two are very clearly completely different.

You have admitted that you have given it a "cursory glance". Perhaps actually watch the show and have an informed opinion instead of an ill-informed, knee-jerk reaction.

Tim Robbins

Chinafoot wrote: »

Glee is aired at 8pm on TV3. How is that aimed at 8 year - 10 year olds?
Coronation Street airs at 7:30pm. Emmerdale at 7pm. Children under 10 are most likely in bed by 8pm. I know I was.

There are no age certs placed on television shows. The fact that its on at 8pm and is very clearly a comedy instantly lets you know that this is not a children's programme. People need to stop assuming Glee is the same as High School Musical because of the setting and singing. Its a lazy assumption as the two are very clearly completely different.

You have admitted that you have given it a "cursory glance". Perhaps actually watch the show and have an informed opinion instead of an ill-informed, knee-jerk reaction.

Perhaps you could give us reasons why you think it's aimed at a higher audience I have already given several why I think it's a kids style format in my opening post.

Basq

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Perhaps you could give us reasons why you think it's aimed at a higher audience I have already given several why I think it's a kids style format in my opening post.

See my post!

You're coming to the conclusion that if it APPEARS like High School Musical, it IS High School Musical.

super_furry

So High School Musical with a sprinkling of Dawson's Creek?

lou91

super_furry wrote: »

So High School Musical with a sprinkling of Dawson's Creek?

Nah, it's not really big on the angst.

XxMCRxBabyxX

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Perhaps you could give us reasons why you think it's aimed at a higher audience I have already given several why I think it's a kids style format in my opening post.

Yet again back to the South Park analogy. The whole point of Glee is to have that appearance but is really a more mature humour. As also said most of the jokes would go over young kids heads

From an article about glee:

Gorman said the show -- whose premiere numbers may or may not have been helped by the fact it was one of the few airing during President Obama's health care address -- is initially faring well among the coveted 18- to 49-year-old viewer demographic.

There you go, they've said it themselves

baalthor

How would an 8 year be 'damaged' by watching Glee anyway ??

ixoy

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Perhaps you could give us reasons why you think it's aimed at a higher audience I have already given several why I think it's a kids style format in my opening post.

You're confusing style over substance. The style is deliberately bright and cheery to fit in with some of the absurd OTT elements of the show. That doesn't mean the content has to be.
A show doesn't have to look dark to have dark moments or use slow panarmomic shots to convey thoughtfulness.

Sure just turn down the brightness on your TV if you feel the need!

Tim Robbins

ixoy wrote: »

You're confusing style over substance. The style is deliberately bright and cheery to fit in with some of the absurd OTT elements of the show. That doesn't mean the content has to be.
A show doesn't have to look dark to have dark moments or use slow panarmomic shots to convey thoughtfulness.

Sure just turn down the brightness on your TV if you feel the need!

Next we'll have a soft porn version of Bosco on in the afternoon and you'll be justifying that.

Southpark, the script, accents and humour don't attract kiddies.
Kids like Cartoons with smily faces, and kidy voices and kidy music.

Glee is a disgrace. Expect teenage pregnacies and STDs to increase due to this muck.

Tim Robbins

FouxDaFaFa wrote: »

Well as far as I know Ireland doesn't classify tv programmes with age certs.

It needs to. Quickly.

DingosAteMyBaby

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Next we'll have a soft porn version of Bosco on in the afternoon and you'll be justifying that.

Southpark, the script, accents and humour don't attract kiddies.
Kids like Cartoons with smily faces, and kidy voices and kidy music.

Glee is a disgrace. Expect teenage pregnacies and STDs to increase due to this muck.

Yeah because seeing the emotional stress and trauma of a teenage girl who gets pregnant in a tongue-in-cheek musical comedy series will cause everyone who watches it to go out and mate like bunnies your neanderthal views astound me. Next will you be complaining that the gay character will magically turn all the kids gay!!

Chinafoot

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Next we'll have a soft porn version of Bosco on in the afternoon and you'll be justifying that.

"What next? Somebody'll be murdered and then where are we? Drive-by shootings in the night. It'll be like Boyz N the Hood. Then they'll have whores selling their wares on the street. The pimps'll be using crack to keep the whores under control. I'm going to lock myself in the basement until they catch that fella."

Basq

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Next we'll have a soft porn version of Bosco on in the afternoon and you'll be justifying that.

Southpark, the script, accents and humour don't attract kiddies.
Kids like Cartoons with smily faces, and kidy voices and kidy music.

Glee is a disgrace. Expect teenage pregnacies and STDs to increase due to this muck.

Seriously..Tim Robbins must be taking the piss at this stage?

He's the Boards.ie equivalent of The Daily Mail!

Tim Robbins

Chinafoot wrote: »

"What next? Somebody'll be murdered and then where are we? Drive-by shootings in the night. It'll be like Boyz N the Hood. Then they'll have whores selling their wares on the street. The pimps'll be using crack to keep the whores under control. I'm going to lock myself in the basement until they catch that fella."

We already have a great deal of teennage pregnacies and abortions. Maybe you don't consider those serious issues. I do.

We need to get real as a society and act a bit responsibly. That means changes the messages we send young people.

Basq

Tim Robbins wrote: »

We already have a great deal of teennage pregnacies and abortions. Maybe you don't consider those serious issues. I do.

We need to get real as a society and act a bit responsibly. That means changes the messages we send young people.

It's a show about a group of teenagers singing.. CHRIST ALMIGHTY!

The Recliner

Tim Robbins wrote: »

We already have a great deal of teennage pregnacies and abortions. Maybe you don't consider those serious issues. I do.

We need to get real as a society and act a bit responsibly. That means changes the messages we send young people.

Actually I don't think this has anything to do with television

I think parents should actually parent and stop relying on others to do it for them and then blaming others when their parenting fails

Back on the topic of Glee, the time it is shown at indicates it is not a childrens show, if they were showing it on The Den during the day your arguement might have some merit

Towelie_6971

no, its not a kids show at all and at the same time it is wrongly aimed at kids.
but its like anything now a days, there are sex references in almost every thing now, music, t.v adverts.
but the show is completly sending out so many wrong messages to kids and it should be treated as more of a young abult show if anything.

Ticktactoe

Tim Robbins wrote: »

I watched Glee yesterday. This style of this program is aimed from ages 8 up.

Where does it state this? Anywhere?

Tim Robbins wrote: »

It is edited like a disney move. The characters are good looking innocent simple types and dizzy air heads. They are no big words in the script. It is set in a school.

Yes... musical comedy-drama television series

Tim Robbins wrote: »

The way they break into songs and dancing suddenly is a trick used in every kids show even bosco.

I didn't think Moulin Rouge was a childrens programme/film ! :eek:
'Breaking into songs and dancing' isn't just for the children.

Tim Robbins wrote: »

However, the content is about adult themes. The entire story yesterday was about losing virginity. I have a problem with this. Number 1, I fear 11 year olds will watch it and then think they should be having sex.

If i had an 11 years old and they wanted to watch it, they would be watching it with me as a parent.

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Number 2, there is no mention of safe sex. STDs, unplanned pregnancies are about as relevant as American foreign policy.

To be honest the most 'action' seen on this program is kissing.

Its a musical comedy-drama television series for teenagers and up. It's a show about a group of high-school misfits and nerds whose common love of song helps them get through the trials of adolescence. Not for children IMO.

Tim Robbins

The Recliner wrote: »

Actually I don't think this has anything to do with television

I think parents should actually parent and stop relying on others to do it for them and then blaming others when their parenting fails

Back on the topic of Glee, the time it is shown at indicates it is not a childrens show, if they were showing it on The Den during the day your arguement might have some merit

In France they have laws that drink companies are not allowed sponsor sporting events. Here, the drink companies plough money into them. So much so that a recent sporting fixture opened up pubs on Good Friday almost proving that people had to drink - just watching a match wasn't good enough.

Point is, advertising and television is a powerful medium and strongly influences how people think, act, speak and treat others. Therefore it is important as a society there is some sort of responsibility is taken for example put it on after the water shed or script it without the sex.

It was pointless putting this subject in here as you are not going to get a lot of objectivity from fans of Glee. Either you believe we have a role on what messages are being sent out to teenagers and your people or we don't. This thread is probably better suited to humanities.

Tim Robbins

Ticktactoe wrote: »

If i had an 11 years old and they wanted to watch it, they would be watching it with me as a parent.

That's all well and good but the state has a role to play as well. The compromise would be put it on after the water shed on the basis of the sexusla references. I think SouthPark is shown after the watershed - open to correction on this.

Then if you wish to watch it at seven with your 9, 10 or 11 year old you can watch a record of it.

Chinafoot

basquille wrote: »

Seriously..Tim Robbins must be taking the piss at this stage?

He's the Boards.ie equivalent of The Daily Mail!

Well known troll tbh. Best not to feed it.

Max Power1

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Glee is a disgrace. Expect teenage pregnacies and STDs to increase due to this muck.

LOL

I hate glee, I only saw this thread as in was in the new posts list. However, Ive watched a couple of episodes as the OH is a huge fan.

I have to say (keeping within the "attack the post not the poster" mentaility) that the post quoted has to be one of the most utterly stupid and moronic posts I have ever read on these fine boards.


EDIT: what chinafoot said

The Recliner

Tim Robbins wrote: »

In France they have laws that drink companies are not allowed sponsor sporting events. Here, the drink companies plough money into them. So much so that a recent sporting fixture opened up pubs on Good Friday almost proving that people had to drink - just watching a match wasn't good enough.

The French also allow their children to drink wine with dinner, they ahve a much more grown up and mature attitude to alcohol, nor do they shut the pubs on that particular day

We however do not, I don't think the sponsorship[ of that particular sporting event has anything to do with the pubs being opened, greedy publicans and a willing public and a somewhat archaic law led to that

Point is, advertising and television is a powerful medium and strongly influences how people think, act, speak and treat others. Therefore it is important as a society there is some sort of responsibility is taken for example put it on after the water shed or script it without the sex. [\quote]

I would like to think that parents shoulder most of the responsibility for what their children watch, Glee is on at a suitable time, it is neither graphic nor overly sexed

It was pointless putting this subject in here as you are not going to get a lot of objectivity from fans of Glee. Either you believe we have a role on what messages are being sent out to teenagers and your people or we don't. This thread is probably better suited to humanities.

If Glee is the object of your ire then this is the right place for it, it sounds like you want a more general discuussion though

Glee shows the consequences of irresponsibility though even if it is in a light hearted manner, it shows that you get pregnant from unprotected sex and that there is a fallout from that, I have yet to see where it glorifies it or suggests it is a good idea

Given that it is not an educational show I am not sure what else you can expect from it

uncleoswald

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Perhaps you could give us reasons why you think it's aimed at a higher audience I have already given several why I think it's a kids style format in my opening post.

It is edited like a disney move. How so? I don't think many kids consider editing and in fact I'm not sure how disney movie editing is any different to say the editing in The West Wing? The characters are good looking innocent simple types and dizzy air heads. Kind of like in porn? They are no big words in the script. So been set in a sem-realistic highschool makes it a kid show? It is set in a school. As was Carrie.... The way they break into songs and dancing suddenly is a trick used in every kids show even bosco. A trick? A genre of entertainment is now a trick?

Can't believe I'm defending Glee, I actually think its a fairly overrated slice of pop culture but I think I'll be tuning into the Joss Whedon directed episode.

I think you might be joking OP but if not your reasoning is a joke.

Tim Robbins

Would the fans of Glee have a problem if the sexual references were completly removed? Would you still watch it?

Or would you have a problem if it was moved to after the water shed?

DingosAteMyBaby

Gah. I'm unsubscribing for this thread. Cant handle Tim Robbins ridiculous, pointless arguments anymore.

Tim Robbins

DingosAteMyBaby wrote: »

Gah. I'm unsubscribing for this thread. Cant handle Tim Robbins ridiculous, pointless arguments anymore.

Sorry to all. Obviously wrong place for the discussion.

I put a similar one in humanities.

Mods you can lock this thread.

Basq

Locked on behalf of OP.