IMHO -- This is just plain silly. I've never exactly thought of football as family entertainment (this one wasn't entertaining at all). I also never thought of "G" rated previews for movies as being very corruptive. Notice they didn't mention beer commercials or those centering on animal cruelty. Thoughts? Any corrupted youth out there? http://www.sportsbusinessnews.com/todaysstories/superbowljan31.htm SBN -- Super Bowl Ads Stir Violence Debate: Several commercials that ran during Sunday's Super Bowl XXXV promoted the upcoming release for major motion pictures that have been given an "R" rating. What makes this noteworthy, the placement of the ads on the CBS telecast, as the Washington Post reports, came just months after Hollywood pledged to take steps to stop marketing violent movies to underage children, film studios used the Super Bowl, with its huge family audience, to launch marketing campaigns for some particularly bloody movies. Among the ads that aired during Sunday's big game was a commercial for MGM's R-rated "Hannibal," which features a cannibalistic serial killer as its main character. Warner Bros. bought time during the pre-game show to advertise "Valentine," which received an R rating for "strong horror violence" and "some sexuality." Warner Bros. also spent about $5 million for two 30-second spots for two other violent movies, "Exit Wounds" and "Swordfish." Although neither movie has yet been rated, studio executives yesterday said they expect both films to get R ratings because of their violent content. The Super Bowl "is a family activity, and many parents will be very alarmed to see this kind of graphic violence advertised," said Kathryn Montgomery, president of the Center for Media Education, a public interest group that favors restrictions on Hollywood's marketing efforts in the Washington Post report. Several Hollywood executives who spoke to the Washington Post suggested there was nothing wrong with the ads running during the Super Bowl. "You can't avoid some spillover whenever you are dealing with broadcasting," said MGM spokesman Craig Parsons. "We are not interested in reaching" children under 17, he said. The commercials aired just days after Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman announced he is writing legislation that would authorize the Federal Trade Commission to prosecute entertainment companies under laws that prohibit deceptive advertising. "It was inappropriate to air these ads while millions of children were likely watching," said Dan Gerstein, a spokesman for Lieberman. "This shows precisely why this legislation is needed." Brad Ball, president of domestic theatrical marketing for Warner Bros. Pictures, estimates that children under 17 made up just 17 percent of the Super Bowl audience. Nielsen Media Research estimated that the Super Bowl drew 131 million viewers. If Ball's estimate is correct, 22.2 million people 17 or under were watching. Ball told the Washington Post the studio is comfortable with its decision to advertise R-rated movies in Sunday's big game. He noted that children are allowed to attend R-rated movies if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. ABC, which is owned by Walt Disney Co., has said publicly that it will not air commercials for R-rated movies before 9 p.m., but CBS -- which broadcast the game -- never made such a pledge. CBS spokesman Gil Schwartz said each ad was reviewed to ensure that it was consistent with the network's standards and practices. Saturday night NBC brings the Xtreme Football League to network television. ------------------ Stay Cool...
I don't know about youth, but it should be slammed for corrupting America! I'm pretty sure it messed up a lot of people mentally, that game was just HORRIBLE! ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . .
Good point. Surely whatever is in those movies couldn't have been as horrible as the slaughter on the field. Add -- Should NBC be held accountable for commercials aired in the second half, when about 130 of the 131 million viewers gave up and quit watching? ------------------ Stay Cool...
It's just plain silly. ------------------ RealGM Rockets Draft Obligations Summary Gafford Art Artisan
I'm sure those commercials didn't corrupt the youth anymore than hearing their parents curse a blue streak because they took the under. BTW, dc : I doubt NBC can be held accountable for anything, the game was on CBS. ------------------ The Rockets will be the NBA champions. Believe.
I thought it was common knowledge that watching Anthony Hopkins would make you become a cannibal. How could everyone miss that. ------------------ Ceo of the Walt Williams fan club. Web site coming soon atheistalliance.org
You know. . . when I was young. . . I had this person that taught me right from wrong and help me understand things by explaining them to be. . . . I later learn they were called PARENTS!!!! They were aided by UNCLES AUNTS GRANDPARENTS and TEACHERS etc. . . you cannot legislate behavior to an extent Rocket River ------------------ [This message has been edited by Rocket River (edited February 01, 2001).]
I wonder if the government will ever figure out that the media is not responsible for all the problems with the youth in this country. ------------------
That's what I thought, but I called CBS and they denied having anything to do with the superbowl, saying they ran a Survivor pre-game show during that time slot. Just kidding. Thanks for the correction. ------------------ Stay Cool...
