Culture Notes

Better RATINGS?

TV industry executives are now considering adding content descriptions to their system of rating programs. Under pressure from almost all sides, the networks are also facing congressional bills to force the changes. The bills were authored not by conservative Republicans or the religious right but by two Democrats, Rep. Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Sen. Ernest Hollings of South Carolina. According to the proposed revision of the system, the age breakdowns would remain, but to them would be added the letters V, S, and L for violence, sex, and bad language. Thus, the raunchy dialogue of Friends might earn it a TV PG-S, while the more graphically explicit NYPD Blue might score a TV 14-S. The slapstick violence of The Simpsons might rate a TV PG-V, while a Stephen King made-for-TV-movie might rate a TV 14-S. Networks had previously refused to change the system, and spokesmen caution that this new approach is only being studied and may not be implemented. One faction of the network executives is adamantly opposed to any kind of content-based rating, fearing that it would drive away advertisers, and have threatened to sue the government on First Amendment grounds if Congress passes laws to force the change. In the meantime, Hollywood rating czar Jack Valenti has agreed to one change: The rating logo will remain on the screen for longer than the current 15 seconds.

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