Even though blame for increasingly offensive TV programming is properly assigned to producers, writers, networks, and even viewers, sponsors bankroll shows with graphic sexual content, foul language and violence, and therefore also share responsibility. Without the advertising dollars, the raunch would never air.
His piece calls to mind the opening this week of Wiggles World at Gold Coast 'family' fun park Dreamworld.
The Wiggles are, of course, the internationally successful entertainers targeted at pre-schoolers.
And Dreamworld is also the home of the Australian version of Big Brother.
Visit the Dreamworld web site and, on the Shows and Attractions drop-down menu, you'll find Big Brother sandwiched between Wiggles World and Nick Central (another section of the park aimed at young children and based on themes from the Nickolodeon Channel); visit the theme park itself while BB is running and you'll see signs warning that if you and your children go look at the monkeys in the house, the park isn't responsible for their foul language and behaviour.
I've felt for a long time that it's highly inappropriate for what aspires to be a family theme park to host a TV show the premise of which is to encourage increasingly poor behaviour with an emphasis on sexual activity and sexualised nudity.
With the arrival of Wiggles World, they've gone from encouraging seven year olds to rub shoulders with the animals in the BB zoo (children of which age are regulars at the BB eviction night live events) to getting pre-schoolers in on the act too.
But Dreamworld has been in the gutter with Big Brother for five seasons now so perhaps it's only to be expected of them.
But The Wiggles? Well, they should be ashamed of themselves. They've taken a wholesome product and dropped it if not actually in the sewer then right next to a ruptured main. Whatever they get splashed with, they deserve it.
If you'd like to let The Wiggles know what you think of their new housemates, you can contact them here.
-- Nick
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