Sunday, April 7, 2013

Do you think there is too Much Violence on Television?

First, let me tell you I'm the worst scaredy cat in the world.  When I was a kid (many years ago) I was afraid to watch the original King Kong movie.  It was too scary for me, and everyone knows how phony that movie was.  lol  I know, I know it's a classic.  I'm just making fun of myself for being afraid to watch the show.

Now, I'm an adult and there are some movies I won't go to because of the violence, but there are some television shows I won't watch either.  On some of my favorite programs I'll turn the channel for a few moments to get past the violent scene.  When I think it's over I go back to the program.  Sometimes, it's only the tension that makes me turn the channel. 

You know those moments when the music heightens the tension, the character is by himself/herself and you know someone or something is watching.  You just feel the danger creeping up.  It's scary. 

To me some of the violent scenes on Criminal Minds, Blue Bloods, CSI, CSI: New York, Vegas, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, Covert Affairs, The Mentalist and others cross the line with more violence than I want to see.  Some of these programs are family oriented shows, and they don't cross the line often. 

Criminal Minds is always full of violence, and I cringe and change the channel when they show it.  These people on this show are portraying FBI profilers, so I imagine they get it pretty accurate.  It is just something I rather they didn't show.  Telling is not better in books, but I think in many cases on TV showing is too much.

I watch all of these shows I've mentioned and more.  Do you think I'm over reacting to the violence I see on television programs and movies?  It's making me rethink if I want to continue writing romantic suspense or change to sweet romances.  Maybe, I'm just tired of seeing all the violence in the world.  It's everywhere, and we hear about it all the time.

Have a great week, and I'll see you next weekend. 

Best always,
Sandra K. Marshall
http://www.eirelander-publishing.com

10 comments:

K.T. Bishop said...

keep writing dont let anything stop you

Kenzie Michaels said...

OMG....I saw King Kong when I was 10 or 11 (the Jessica Lang version) and kept running out to hide behind the partition (to the entrance of the theater). I generally avoid scary movies, though I did go see Jurasic Park #2, and had to keep reminding myself "They get out okay...they get out okay...", having read the book first.

I've become a loyal watcher of Spartacus, however, and have to look away when the blood/fight scenes get too gory. Thankfully, Sparty is on AFTER my little one goes to bed.

Melissa Keir said...

It is hard to watch TV these days without a show that is pushing the edge. Some are more about the sex while others are violent. I think we are desensitizing ourselves to these things. As an adult, I don't worry about seeing them. I know that I can change the channel or turn the tv off. The people I worry about are the children.

Sandy said...

Thanks, K.T. I won't quit.

LOL Kenzie, you sound like me. Thanks for coming by.

Melissa, I with you worrying about the children. Thanks for your comment.

Darlene said...

The ones you mentioned aren't even has horrendous as some of the other programs I avoid. I don't understand their popularity. I mean shows (I've never seen) like The Walking Dead and the new Hannibal. Why do they draw such a huge audience? I really don't understand. I spend far more time watching the classic programming on MeTV.

Linda LaRoque said...

I watch all those movies too and one thing that scares me is how unbalanced some people can be. Also, the autopsies and bodies. I don't need to see that. It's just too much.

Sandy said...

Darlene, I agree with you. One, I would like to watch is The Following, but it just scares the bejeebies out of me. lol I like Kevin Bacon very much in most things.

Sandy said...

I agree with you about the autopsies and bodies. Yes, some of those people are really unbalanced sort of like the people we hear about in the news. How sad. Is it real life influencing television and the movies or the other way around?

Amber Polo said...

Haven't watched TV in 17 years. DVDs from the library are great entertainment.
And books are even better.

Sandy said...

Wow, Amber! Good for you. I love books, too.