ABC, Inc. Complaint - America's Funniest Home Videos Going Trashy - Family Television

Posted by Contrary 2 Ordinary on 2009-01-18:

I don't know jkt. I too am against the off color, subtly sexual, edgy stuff in today's world. :)

Posted by dan gordon on 2009-01-18:

hopefully your using the time to explain each sexual inuendo to your child. Its a wonder opportunity and I'm sure the only reason you complain its for the cheeeeeeeeeeldren.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2009-01-18:

I have to admit, I've gotten tired of the "Ball Crushing moments" too. They are so predictable.

Posted by D. Aliff on 2009-01-18:

I can remember being little and watching grown men getting their balls crushed, doesn't seem like anything new to me.

Posted by Soaring Consumer on 2009-01-18:

I remember the older seasons and I loved it, I miss the old AFV. The newer one is all about pain, accidents, and stupidity and that is why I stopped watching it.

I think we should all get together and send a petition to ABC.

Posted by madconsumer on 2009-01-19:

change the channel?

Posted by sabletaz on 2009-01-19:

Stop watching.....

Posted by Sparticus on 2009-01-19:

This is nothing new. Have you ever watched the Shrek movie(s)? Packed with adult humor. Kids don't get it... so it makes it enjoyable for both young and old.

Most the time it is pretty harmless since kids have no clue what the joke is about...

Posted by dianec1 on 2009-01-19:

The thing about AFV is exactly as soaring consumer said--it's just not funny anymore. People getting hurt is never funny to me and it seems that's all they have on the show now. It probably won't be long before it goes off the air anyway. I don't think kids should be taught that hurting people is funny anyway. Yes, they can change the channel or stop watching--but, I think they were trying to make a valid point.

Posted by jktshff1 on 2009-01-19:

I won't use the word prude anymore.
Dan, it is a good way to educate the kids.

Posted by Contrary 2 Ordinary on 2009-01-19:

Why does that 'comment removed' notice stay up on some threads and disappears on others?

Yeah jkt, I believe Carlin had that one on his list. lol!

Posted by dianec1 on 2009-01-19:

Why is the OP a prude? I am confused (again).

Posted by Principissa on 2009-01-19:

Maybe I'm weird, but I've never liked that show. I just don't see the humor in some guy getting kicked in the jewels or watching granny slip on ice and land with her dress over her head. I guess I just don't see an old lady breaking her hip as funny.

I think the point the poster is trying to make (and this is just my opinion) is that the show is not funny anymore and that the off color humor and same boring clips is getting old and tired.

Posted by dianec1 on 2009-01-19:

Amen, Princi. See my comment above--no, the one above that. Great minds think alike, lol.

Posted by old fart on 2009-01-19:

ABC used to be the "edgy" network until FOX came along... If you want to watch dreck, watch FOX...
The same is true of their news division... pure dreck....!

Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-19:

Best answer, Princi. Such incidents are funny when staged, but I can take find no humor in seeing someone injured and embarrased. The show appeals to some very base instincts.

Posted by jktshff1 on 2009-01-19:

I did not say the op was a prude, I said I would not use that word anymore.
Princi..best answer.
Why can't a show be for adults and children?
I usually try to stay away from complaints about tv shows and celebrities. You can turn it off, switch channels on the first and who cares about the other.

Posted by dianec1 on 2009-01-19:

My misunderstanding, jkt. I think I'm beyond tired now!

Posted by Contrary 2 Ordinary on 2009-01-19:

jkt, do you want to leave this life a sinner? lol!

Posted by dianec1 on 2009-01-19:

jkt, correction--I retract my last statement. I now know the truth, lol. Good cover though. Nighty nite.

Posted by jktshff1 on 2009-01-19:

according to the christian bible, I came in that way, might as well go that way also.
I contribute to all denominations, creeds, and religions..ya gotta cover all your bases.

Posted by cottondog on 2009-01-29:

Thanks for your comments and support. Some were helpful, some not. The off-handed response of "just turn the channel" is also a tired one, when every time you turn the channel you get more of the same or worse. I feel that's an excuse to avoid taking responsibility. Using edge as an opportunity to teach your child shows some ignorance as to the psychological make-up of children. As a teacher, I see that young children are pretty black and white about what's "good" and "bad". Since they are taught (rightly) that people getting hurt is not funny, and that we don't show our underwear (!) they tend to get upset and embarrassed when they see things they know they are not supposed to--. They get conflicting messages about stuff.

But my main point is, again, why does the trashy stuff have to seep into every family program, as if the writers can't restrain themselves? Again, can we not have a couple of completely innocent, G-rated, no-worry programs without being told that our views don't matter, just turn the channel? AFC has proven that in the past that it is possible to be funny without trash, so why not do it? If you want trash, it's easy to find all over the place.

Posted by madconsumer on 2009-01-29:

"The off-handed response of "just turn the channel" is also a tired one, when every time you turn the channel you get more of the same or worse."


then your next step is to stop watching the telley all together.

Posted by cottondog on 2009-01-30:

To mad consumer--Actually,I pretty much stopped watching the "telly" years ago--I don't own cable and AFV and a few other programs are all I watch (although I own some very high quality DVDs!). So you can understand my disappointment at having yet another program turn sour. The sad thing is, it's not necessary. As I said AFV has proven in times past that it can make a wonderful family program that both adults and children can enjoy and laugh together with no worries. I feel we are all robbed.

Posted by JonathanPaulX on 2011-10-15:

Just watched AFV tonight on ABC and I was completely disgusted. A catholic priest is conducting confession with an elderly woman when he suddenly strips and starts gyrating in nothing but a codpiece. What if it were a rabbi, or an Iman instead? This one video should be enough by itself to outrage all devout catholics and motivate them to a full scale boycott of ABC. What do you think?

Posted by Thad on 2013-01-01:

AFV is one of the worst concepts ever conceived in the television industry. I agree the show was tamer back in the Saget era, but painfully lame in character. The current host, Tom Bergeron (spelling?) is a boorish man. I never liked him. He appears as someone who's terribly conceited, sly and insecure at the same time. AFV severely became the crude village when Bergeron took over the hosting duties. Why AFV has lasted as long as it has really makes me question society. I'm not going to pick a part the viewers who actually enjoy AFV, but I just can't fathom the desire to waste an hour watching amateur media of people engaging in ruthless, mindless stunts or the plethora of crude material along with all of the staged videos people submit. So be sure to tune into AFV next week to see 5 year old Billy eat Jello through his nose, and watch as his 2 year old brother tinkles inside their daddy's guitar.