Saturday Morning Cartoon Collection warning...Saturday Morning Cartoon Collection war

[Drtooth]

Yesterday, I checked out (but unfortunately didn't buy) The new Warner Bros. "Saturday Morning Cartoons" collection DVD's... and on the back it said "Intended for adult collectors. Not sutible for children" (or something to that extent. "I could have sworn it said not safe for children," but I'm not too sure of that).

Now, I give them the benefit of the doubt... maybe the special features have some adult language or something. I never encountered that before. I know Looney Tunes collections have these warnings too... but then again, they keep in all the acceptable at the time stereotypes, and a lot of other things they haven't shown on TV.... EVEN in the 50's.

But we're talking about 1960's and 1970's cartoons here. It was said that the 60's cartoons were the most violent at the time (though, frankly stuff like Transformers and even Darkwing Duck) are more violent than that. But the 1970's cartoons... they were all about bands solving mysteries (they take up most of the 70's collection).

I really think this sort of thing is really getting out of hand. We're talking Secret Squirrel and Scooby-Doo here (the latter became the surprise hit of the 90's with kids- reruns no less). Not that any kid I can think of would jump on these old shows, but saying this stuff isn't suitable for kids is the same nonsense that permeated children's television since the 90's (which has steadily gotten more annoying).

 

[CensoredAlso]

That is getting very annoying indeed. It's the typical sort of whitewash censorship that some people think equals morality. It's nothing new, there have always been people who subscribe to that way of thinking, but those in the other camp do have to push just as hard if they want to be heard (diplomatically of course).

And for the record, I don't mind disclaimers or explanations on some of the older cartoons. But I do object to these warning labels about "Not suitable for kids." There are a lot of newer TV shows and movies that are ten times more unsuitable for kids, yet are barely being addressed.

 

[Drtooth]

And I'm like... what kids? The kids that watch Family Guy, South Park and Robot Chicken? An' Jetson and Space Ghost reruns are corrupting them?

I'm just gonna say it's cuz Quick Draw McGraw has a gun or something. I still don't get the logic that you can't allow gunplay on a kid's show, but you can walk into any Family Dollar or something and buy plastic toy guns. Either ban both or allow both.

I'm still giving them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the bonus material.... something adult could be on there as well. But then again, I don't see any 7 year olds clamoring for Huckelberry Hound reruns. I mean, I did, because those old cartoons were always on TV some form or another until the syndicated kid's cartoon market bottomed out.

 

[CensoredAlso]

It does seem that political correctness now, in its infinite wisdom, has begun to target older media as being part of the corruption of society. I mean yes, there are things in older cartoons and movies that we would now find offensive. But life has to be approached with balance, not blind, sweeping dismissal. People are too easily ready to concede that older media isn't relevant. It's very much an emperor's new clothes thing; no one wants to be the one to challenge the prevaling notion.

 

[Drtooth]

And it's a preemptive strike, so they don't get calls saying that little Bobby tried to buy a loaf of bread for a nickle. That's how cartoons made in the 1960's corrupt our young.

 

[bazooka_beak]

CHILDREN'S cartoons are inappropriate for children? Whatever you say, WB :/

 

[CensoredAlso]

And what's funny is, some of the older people making these "standards" are the ones who grew up with these cartoons. I mean, do they think they grew up to be delinquents?

 

[StreetScenes]

i think it's the culture of frivolous lawsuits and 24-hour entertainment "news" that does this.

1) i can't imagine that the people who are releasing this material actually believe it's harmful for kids.

2) i can't imagine they think any parent is actually going to listen to the warning label. they'll either ignore the label and judge for themselves that it's inappropriate for their kids, or they'll ignore the label and buy it for their kids anyway, probably because they remember enjoying it and want to share it with their kids.

3) i can't imagine any parent thinks their kid is dumb enough not to understand fiction or fantasy or to recognize that villains are bad role models. even overprotective parents generally brag about how smart their kids are, and want to push their kids rather than hold them back.

however, in a culture where a customer can sue because the hot coffee they spilled on themselves was hot, companies prefer to cover their backs.

and finally,
4) i can't imagine the people who put the label on the dvd ever thought anyone would even care enough to diss them for it.

but in a culture where the 24 hour news cycle creates more "news" than it reports, stuff gets blown out of proportion and overdramatized and people begin to think it's evidence of some distressing societal trend when really, the warning label wasn't intended in that way and it won't have that effect.

 

[bazooka_beak]

And what's funny is, some of the older people making these "standards" are the ones who grew up with these cartoons. I mean, do they think they grew up to be delinquents?

Exactly! Heck, I grew up watching Pee Wee's Playhouse, and that is one seriously weird show. Yet I'm not robbing banks or selling children, am I? Wouldn't these people trust the very things THEY watched when they were 7 years old?

 

[Drtooth]

i can't imagine they think any parent is actually going to listen to the warning label. they'll either ignore the label and judge for themselves that it's inappropriate for their kids, or they'll ignore the label and buy it for their kids anyway, probably because they remember enjoying it and want to share it with their kids.

I always wondered what the point is with warning labels. seems to me the people that always have a problem with stuff like that totally ignore them, and then whine that they didn't get enough of a warning... or that it wasn't specific enough. Like near sighted elderly people that ignore the age restrictions on a toy, and try to get it banned, or parents that indiscriminately buy video games for their kids, and blow a gasket that they got a 7 year old Grand Theft Auto.

I also realized (and I forgot this until a couple hours ago) the 70's set contains "Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan." Now, I can't remember anything outright racist or offensive about it (and I don't mean offensive to people with Good taste SHAZZAM!) I could see something considered touchy to today's standards... though the only thing I think was racially insensitive was the fact they had to change half the all Asian cast for caucasian actors because the accents were too thick. I'd toss them a bone for that and bonus features....and reluctantly to Quickdraw's Gun play.... but I don't think it's anywhere as bad as the Looney Tunes collections. The aforementioned ones that have uncensored, risque stuff. Funny thing is, I haven't noticed this disclaimer on any other cartoon DVD's... none of them.