Which new TV shows are deemed family-friendly?

A study shows an increasing volume of sex, violence and profane language between 8 and 9 p.m.

By HELEN T. GRAY

KANSAS CITY STAR

Every fall, television networks roll out their new shows and, Focus on the Family’s Steven Isaac says, “every year the pickings get slimmer and slimmer” in the area of family-friendly programming.

“The trends all point toward desperate television executives and producers watching their ratings slip while trying to fight for eyeballs that are currently glued to the Internet and cable,” said Isaac, who is the group’s “Plugged In Online” editor.

“The prevailing wisdom seems to be that edgy is the only way to stand out,” he said. “More sex. More foul language. More violence.”

As the networks parade their new lineup, groups such as Focus on the Family, concerned about family and religious values, are cautious to critical. And some see bright spots.

A recent study of the Parents Television Council watchdog group revealed an increasing volume of sex, violence and profane language during the family hour between 8 and 9 p.m. Eastern time.

The council found that instances of violence during that time had increased 52.4 percent since it conducted a similar study in 2001, and sexual content grew 22.1 percent.

Of the new fall shows, Melissa Henson, senior director of programs for the council, said she isn’t enthusiastic about any of them as family-friendly.

Sadly, she said, “The trend is toward the dissolution of the family hour.”

Favorable shows

Now, the cleanest offerings seem to be reality shows such as “Dancing With the Stars,” “Deal or No Deal,” “Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader” and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” she said.

She also is encouraged by “Friday Night Lights,” which she said has positive messages and is “one of the most explicitly pro-faith television shows out there.”

“Generally, there is a lack of effort and imagination on the part of scriptwriters, who think you have to be hokey to be family-friendly,” Henson said.

Harry Forbes, director of the Office for Film and Broadcasting for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said that in 2005 he was distressed at the high level of sex and violence in many of the network offerings.

“But last year, possibly because of FCC pressure, network pilots were considerably less objectionable,” he said.

After viewing many of this year’s fall shows, he said “on the whole they seem to be maintaining last year’s somewhat higher standards.”

‘Aliens in America’

One new show, a sitcom based on the experiences of a Muslim exchange student and his American host family, is especially catching the attention of American Muslims.

The comedy, “Aliens in America,” will air at 8:30 p.m. EDT Mondays on CW beginning Monday.

Daisy Khan, executive director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement, said most religious communities complain about being misrepresented in American media.

“Muslims have it the worst,” she said. “Their depictions are full of inaccuracies and negative stereotypes.”

But lately she is encouraged that some in the media are making an effort to depict Muslims in a fair and balanced way.

The very name of the show, “Aliens in America,” evokes the negative perception that this new Muslim immigrant “is from Mars or somewhere [from outer space],” she said.

But she thinks the depiction of Raja as slightly quirky, thoughtful, friendly and not at all extreme will dispel negative perceptions.

“The show gives the average American a glimpse into Muslim culture, and it is great that an everyday American can get to know a mainstream Muslim,” she said.

Disagrees

However, John Mulderig, media reviewer with the Catholic film and broadcasting office, who along with Forbes watched the fall pilots, said, “a lot of the humor is lowbrow.”

“The actor [Adhir Kalyan] is the best thing about the show, and there is a positive presentation of his character,” he said. “He prays and relies on God to see him through difficulties. He has a strong faith. But the series’ overall humor undercuts those positive qualities to a large extent.”

Of the new shows, Mulderig said the best one he previewed for families to watch together is “Life Is Wild,” which will air at 8 p.m. Sundays on CW beginning Oct. 7. This is about a family that goes to South Africa, where the veterinarian dad cares for wild animals.