Vulgarians at the Gate: Trash TV and Raunch Radio - Raising the Standards of Popular Culture » (1st Edition)

Do you know what your kids are watching on TV or hearing on the radio? While channel surfing, they may come across an episode of Sex and the City, in which the leading ladies lightheartedly compare notes on penis size; the cartoon series South Park, with its talking piece of excrement; the brawling of dysfunctional families on the Jerry Springer Show; the latest sex-purveying, womenhating, and violence-inciting rap video on MTV; or the rantings of radio shock-jock Howard Stern.

As the creator and first host of the Tonight show, and a key player in TV's Golden Age, Steve Allen remained a significant contributor to television, film, music, and radio for more than six decades. But, in recent years, he grew increasingly troubled by much of what we see and hear today. Though quick to applaud the few good shows now airing, he became dismayed that these small islands of quality are almost lost in the sea of mediocrity and outright vulgarity that characterizes current television fare. Whereas talent and quality were the benchmarks of the early years of television and radio, pandering to the lowest common denominator in pursuit of advertising dollars and audience share is the main focus of today's programmers and performers.

More disturbing is the effect that such low cultural standards are having on our children. Each day youngsters are being exposed to hideously inappropriate speech and behavior by role models on TV, film, radio, and in the music industry. Crass promotion of sexuality, gratuitous vulgarity, and violence to children is not just of concern to religious conservatives who hawk family values. Many people in the entertainment industry, as well as millions of citizens from all walks of life, are disturbed by the coarsening of entertainment with its glorification of violence and casual, no-consequences sex.

The fundamental question, as Allen sees it, is this: What kind of a society will we leave to our children -- one dominated by media conglomerates that push anything for a quick buck, or one that reflects the highest standards of our heritage? It's up to us to do something about it, to raise a chorus of protest that echoes the words of the TV anchorperson from the movie Network, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

Publishers Weekly

At the forefront of television's Golden Age in the 1950s, Allen reigned for decades as a top TV comedian. However, his serious side has always been evident in his 54 books from his autobiographical Mark It and Strike It (1960) to Ripoff: The Corruption That Plagues America (1979). In recent years, Allen became increasingly disturbed by the entertainment industry's declining cultural standards and "the general ugliness and immorality of much of popular culture." He made his position clear in letters, lectures and articles and by serving as the honorary chairman of the 600,000-member Parents Television Council. Here, he conducts an "admittedly unscientific study of modern television programming," yet offers an array of statistics, survey findings and clippings to back up his assertions targeting TV writers, programmers, performers, network executives and corporate giants. Tracing a pattern of denial, he moves on to "late night raunch," public-access channels ("actual pornography of the most explicit sort"), "family-friendly" sponsors responsible for sending prime-time "depravity into the home" and violence in children's programming. At the core of the book are lengthy attacks on Madonna, Howard Stern, Jerry Springer and rap music. Dismissing "the suggestion that networks can police themselves," he concludes by surveying such solutions as letters, picketing, boycotts and religion. An appendix lists 21 key organizations. (Apr. 15) Forecast: Allen undoubtedly would have promoted this book had he lived to see it published (he died last October at age 78). Still, his name and credibility will attract attention. Current controversies on media sex and violence could put this title in the spotlight, and word-of-mouth among members of conservative organizations like the Dove Foundation will fuel sales. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.