Even The Cartoon Network isn’t safe

By Chris Sweigart

Published: June 25, 2007

As a parent, I’m concerned about the words my son, Joseph, hears on television. Obviously, R-rated movies are out of the question. But Sunday, I was stunned to hear the words blared through my Sony’s speakers.

Watching the NASCAR race is generally safe. It was particularly interesting when TNT’s in-car radio peeked in on Kyle Petty to hear what he had to say to his crew. But Kyle wasn’t talking to crewmen. He was talking instead to God, praying for a safe race for everyone and thanking Him for the opportunities he has. TNT didn’t mean to eavesdrop on the prayer, but it was neat to hear this driver wear his faith on his sleeve.

Ten minutes later, Kyle wore his emotions on his sleeve. Not long after talking to God on national television without knowing it, Petty was smacked in the rear by Matt Kenseth. Wanting to hear Petty’s emotions, TNT listened to Petty’s radio again. This time, he wasn’t talking to God. This time, Petty dropped the F-bomb—loud and on national television.

Oops. Shouldn’t the network be required to delay its broadcast for 5 seconds to ensure profanities are not broadcast? The next time I crash Joseph in our NASCAR PlayStation game, he’d better not drop the F-bomb. Thanks, TNT.

Later Sunday night, Joseph was watching Cartoon Network. Safe, right? Then what in the world is the Cartoon Network doing showing the hideous movie School of Rock? First, it’s not a cartoon. Second, the movie stinks. Third, this movie—on what I assumed was a kids’ network—had a handful of vulgarities. The F-bomb wasn’t dropped, but there were several words that I can’t write in this blog that kids should not hear.

I guess it’s my responsibility to police The Cartoon Network now. Maybe networks should televise shows that do not require policing all of the time. It’s sad that so many these days do.