I'm offended

[Super Goku]

I would like the advice of my fellow Technodromers on this issue. This week I watched a special on a cable channel and I was offended by the special to the point that my immediate reaction was to think to myself that I should never ever watch the cable channel ever again. Without getting into specifics, do you think this would be an over reaction on my part? As a viewer, I have the viewing power of what I watch. If I don't watch one cable channel, I can always watch something else and still be entertained, just by a different TV program. I like the cable channel that offended me based on some of its other programming, but the special I watched was so offensive, I would feel like a hypocrite if I continued watching the channel. So I am gaining self respect, but I'm losing out on getting to watch some shows that I enjoy on that cable channel.

Have you ever been offended to the extreme that you decided to stop watching or supporting a cable channel and/or brand?

[turtlefanforever]

never a brand but particular shows yes. Really there isn't enough information to go off of to make this call. And you and you alone make said call. The opinions of others should not hinder the opinion that you have. What was the show and channel though? I am curious. it might be a little overzealous but if you feel that strongly I can't really fault you on it. I say write a note to the station or the ones who created said special.

[Super Goku]

Originally Posted by turtlefanforever

never a brand but particular shows yes. Really there isn't enough information to go off of to make this call. And you and you alone make said call. The opinions of others should not hinder the opinion that you have. What was the show and channel though? I am curious. it might be a little overzealous but if you feel that strongly I can't really fault you on it. I say write a note to the station or the ones who created said special.

Thanks for your opinion on this topic. I wrote two e-mails (one on a contact page and another on a Tumblr page) and I have yet to receive a response from the company. So I suppose I should stand with my first thoughts on this and simply boycott the cable channel. That is my right, as it is also the right of the cable channel to produce whatever content they want to produce.

Since you asked me, and only because I was asked, the channel is Cartoon Network/Adult Swim and the program is titled "Book of Christ." As I do not wish to engage in a discussion on religion on this forum, I will leave it at that. I watched the program and was offended. I have seen jokes of a similar format, but this Adult Swim special went entirely too far and I was surprised by how explicit the content was.

[snake]

Lighten up. Be able to take a joke and realize that people may have a different sense of humor then you.

[Leo656]

S'just jokes, man. Change the channel, then change it back when it's over, simple. Being offended is a Choice.

Especially about anything on Cartoon Network. Like every single thing they run is purposely provocative. If it took them this long to offend you, then I'unno. Everything they put out is offensive, but also, usually pretty funny. I didn't see the show in question, but I find it hard to believe it was any worse than anything else they've ever run.

I'm curious exactly what sending emails about it is supposed to do. Unless your name is "North Korea", that never got anyone anywhere. You're entirely right, it's your right to "boycott" the channel or just not watch it, but if it were me, I'd just keep watching the shows I liked and avoid the ones I didn't.

Like, I thought the episode of South Park where they made fun of Chris Reeve was totally unnecessary, stupid, and mean-spirited. So I just don't watch it when it comes on. I still like the show most times and other shows on the station, too. I just avoid that one because I didn't think it was funny, but taking it any further than that would be a bit of an overreaction, I think.

You gotta realize, these people put stuff out there specifically so they can point and laugh at how a vocal minority of people will get bent out of shape over it. There's an old saying that we use in the ol' pro wrasslin' locker room: "Don't Sell The Rib". It means that when you know someone is just trying to get a reaction, don't give it to 'em. All they're going to do with your letter is send it to each other with snarky notes about you added onto it. True story.

Me, I'd just change the channel and save the emails and indignation. Not picking on you or anything, just explaining, since you asked. I'm with snakester, I think you need to loosen up a bit.

[CyberCubed]

People get offended by stuff in TV now? What year is this....1982?

[Leo656]

You were offended by the way some Nick show ended just because two girls were holding hands, you jackanapes.

[plastroncafe]

The best thing you can do is stop watching a show that no longer holds any entertainment value for you. If you're looking to make a statement, you could call your cable company and have them remove the channel from your services. You're paying for the channel, and if you'd rather the creators of content you find objectionable not be funded by your money...then there you go.

[slashpieturtlemix]

Everyone pretty much stated everything I would say on the topic but one major factor. Comedy is designed to offend some people and entertain the rest. You may find it offensive but others may find it hilarious. I have a great sense of humor and I love the Book of Christ and the Bookdocks. Some of my friends don't. It is how the jokes affect how you see things. Just take it with a grain of salt. Comedy is a constantly changing medium and not everything can be rated G at night.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by slashpieturtlemix

Everyone pretty much stated everything I would say on the topic but one major factor. Comedy is designed to offend some people and entertain the rest. You may find it offensive but others may find it hilarious. I have a great sense of humor and I love the Book of Christ and the Bookdocks. Some of my friends don't. It is how the jokes affect how you see things. Just take it with a grain of salt. Comedy is a constantly changing medium and not everything can be rated G at night.

I've definitely disliked some comedy I've seen on TV in the past. But can't recall ever getting offended to the point of boycotting a particular show.

[IndigoErth]

Originally Posted by MasterTurtle

Have you ever been offended to the extreme that you decided to stop watching or supporting a cable channel and/or brand?

Nothing that I can immediately recall. Although were it me I'd be looking for the Facebook page (or Twitter or whatever) of the channel or those who aired the offending media and just had my say on there. Then let it go and enjoyed the things I still liked.

Could still be a decent channel that simply made a bad choice in airing it and, if hearing from enough viewers, might be more mindful next time.

[Super Goku]

I appreciate the replies. Interesting viewpoints to consider. Good points.

Originally Posted by Leo656

S'just jokes, man. Change the channel, then change it back when it's over, simple. Being offended is a Choice.

Especially about anything on Cartoon Network. Like every single thing they run is purposely provocative. If it took them this long to offend you, then I'unno. Everything they put out is offensive, but also, usually pretty funny. I didn't see the show in question, but I find it hard to believe it was any worse than anything else they've ever run.

I'm curious exactly what sending emails about it is supposed to do. Unless your name is "North Korea", that never got anyone anywhere. You're entirely right, it's your right to "boycott" the channel or just not watch it, but if it were me, I'd just keep watching the shows I liked and avoid the ones I didn't.

Like, I thought the episode of South Park where they made fun of Chris Reeve was totally unnecessary, stupid, and mean-spirited. So I just don't watch it when it comes on. I still like the show most times and other shows on the station, too. I just avoid that one because I didn't think it was funny, but taking it any further than that would be a bit of an overreaction, I think.

You gotta realize, these people put stuff out there specifically so they can point and laugh at how a vocal minority of people will get bent out of shape over it. There's an old saying that we use in the ol' pro wrasslin' locker room: "Don't Sell The Rib". It means that when you know someone is just trying to get a reaction, don't give it to 'em. All they're going to do with your letter is send it to each other with snarky notes about you added onto it. True story.

Me, I'd just change the channel and save the emails and indignation. Not picking on you or anything, just explaining, since you asked. I'm with snakester, I think you need to loosen up a bit.

I think this is good advice. This basically enlightened me on how to react in a reasonable manner that doesn't take up a lot of time and effort. It sounds like I sold the rib, so to speak, when I sent those two e-mails, lol. I just wanted to let them know how I felt, but it really doesn't do any good. Unless they received several e-mails from different people about the Adult Swim special they aired, I doubt they would care what one viewer thinks.

I'm canceling my boycott then, for whatever its worth, and I'm just going to watch what I like and avoid what I don't like.

Originally Posted by IndigoErth

Nothing that I can immediately recall. Although were it me I'd be looking for the Facebook page (or Twitter or whatever) of the channel or those who aired the offending media and just had my say on there. Then let it go and enjoyed the things I still liked.

Could still be a decent channel that simply made a bad choice in airing it and, if hearing from enough viewers, might be more mindful next time.

That is kind of what I did. By sending two e-mails I was just letting them know how I felt about it, although I did mention a boycott. So basically just vent complaints and then move on. Now that I think of it differently, some really offensive jokes were made, but in the grand scheme of everything, I just need to brush off their so-called jokes and stop thinking about it.

[Leo656]

It's kinda like when my wife and I went to see "Ted". We both absolutely loved everything about it... until the last 30 seconds. We both really liked "Superman Returns", and the cheap shots they took at the movie and Brandon Routh were stupid, pointless, unnecessary, and not funny at all. It was like everything else Seth MacFarlane does, he can cram a ton of genuinely funny stuff in but can never think of an ending, so he just ends on something stupid and pointless.

The rest of it's perfectly fine, though. When I see the movie I just avoid the last few seconds of it. I don't judge the entire movie, or the creators, for one misfire. I still like everything else the guy does, I just think that one thing he did was dumb.

Ya just gotta drink in what you like and dump the rest down the sink. No point in getting mad about it.

[Super Goku]

Originally Posted by Leo656

It's kinda like when my wife and I went to see "Ted". We both absolutely loved everything about it... until the last 30 seconds. We both really liked "Superman Returns", and the cheap shots they took at the movie and Brandon Routh were stupid, pointless, unnecessary, and not funny at all. It was like everything else Seth MacFarlane does, he can cram a ton of genuinely funny stuff in but can never think of an ending, so he just ends on something stupid and pointless.

The rest of it's perfectly fine, though. When I see the movie I just avoid the last few seconds of it. I don't judge the entire movie, or the creators, for one misfire. I still like everything else the guy does, I just think that one thing he did was dumb.

Ya just gotta drink in what you like and dump the rest down the sink. No point in getting mad about it.

I like that way of thinking. I guess it would be like if I bought a flat Pepsi (or Coca-Cola) and I decided to over react and boycott the company and stopped drinking the soda. Instead of that, I should just say "they screwed up on that one" and still enjoy the stuff that I do like from the company.

I admit that I basically wasted an entire day p!ssed off at Cartoon Network. It really doesn't make a lot of sense when I think about it.

[slashpieturtlemix]

Originally Posted by MasterTurtle

I like that way of thinking. I guess it would be like if I bought a flat Pepsi (or Coca-Cola) and I decided to over react and boycott the company and stopped drinking the soda. Instead of that, I should just say "they screwed up on that one" and still enjoy the stuff that I do like from the company.

I admit that I basically wasted an entire day p!ssed off at Cartoon Network. It really doesn't make a lot of sense when I think about it.

It happens with all mediums of art. Everything from paintings to writing. We offend people daily so don't worry lol

[Leo656]

Sheeeeet, if I haven't pissed off at least 8 people by lunchtime I feel like my entire day is wasted.

You find out who your True Friends are when your primary source of humor is Dead Baby jokes. Seriously.

[BubblyShell22]

If you're that offended, then don't watch that particular show. There are other shows you can watch that are probably better for you if you don't like that one. Heck, I despise shows like Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Duck Dynasty so I just stay away from them and don't watch them. My mom likes Duck Dynasty so I just let her watch it and leave the room when it's on.

[Netkeeper]

I stopped watching Cartoon Network for years after Toonami was cancelled. Was a conscious decision.

[Leo656]

I wouldn't want to live in a world without gigantic blocks of Family Guy and King of the Hill. Couldn't do it.

[BubblyShell22]

Yeah, same here, Leo.