I think most of those “cop” shows today are too graphic for no other reason than they can be. We all know that police, firefighters, nurses, doctors, etc. have to become a little cold in order to do their jobs on a daily basis. But what is irritating about shows like CSI (all flavors), Law & order and now these newer shows is the glib comments viewers must endure. It’s as if we not only have to see something horrific but at the same time must listen to some character make a joke about the death and/or condition of someone deceased on the crime scene.

Do we wonder why kids are so emotionless when it comes to death and killing? Why do you think so many people resort to guns/violence as a way to settle disagreements? These shows just glamorize death and killing and don’t really send home the basic message about death–it’s permanent and there are no re-runs.

To those who say we can always turn the channel–Yes, I agree. However, I can’t turn to a different channel for the other person who is watching this garbage 24×7 and then decides to come to school or a mall or public place and start shooting people up because he thinks it would be cool or fun to kill people…how do you respond to that scenario?

Of course we can turn the channel. Unfortunately, that’s a simplistic way of looking at this situation and does not address the issue at hand–too much violence and desensitization in TV today.

Actually, too many people are in need of some outdoor activity anyway. How about a walk around the block for 30 minutes instead of dropping your butt on a couch for 4 hours a night…

As for these recent shows…I’ll pass. A serial killer is NOT a hero. Maybe these writers should have stayed on strike if this is the best they have…

peace all…

Jackie, I’m sure you know that the show has ben on Showtime for a couple of seasons. I watched the first couple of episodes on Showtime and determined that the show only appealed to gore fans or fans of Michael C. Hall from his time on Six Feet Under. Well, Dexter is nothing like 6FU, so that leaves fans of gore. (Clearly a lot of cuting will be taking place each wekk on CBS)

The fact that it is finding its way onto television (regular variety) only shows that bottom line cost is what rulles these days, along with lack of telented people with new ideas. It’s not only CBS, look at NBC with Knightrider and Bionic Woman.

It’s just like movies, where the people today have the hubris to think they can improve on something great - as an older person, I’m somewhat biased, but when my son tells me that the older version of many movies is better, I think the age argument goes out the window.

I can only think of one or two times where a movie or series has come even close to the original - and in both cases it was because of well done humor when the original wasn’t a comedy.

George Hamilton in ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ was good, not better, and deserves comparison. The other is another George Hamilton film, Zorro (The Gay Blade) aand again, it deserves comparison as it tells a story with humor yet is not silly or stupid. As much as I lke Jim Carrey, his ‘Fun With Dick and Jane’ did not hold a candle to the original with George Segal and Jane Fonda.

It really shows how large the head of Sean Combs must be, as he attempts to do ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ , and seems to forget the giant that was in the original.

I don’t think this is what was meant by ‘everything old is new again’ - at least I hope not.

Dexter is a great show. I’ve watched it on Showtime since it first came out and enjoy it immensely. Here’s what I think: rather than expecting a media outlet to decide what you can and can’t watch, how about a little personal responsibility? Try self-monitoring, monitor what the kids are watching, so on and so forth. Why is it televisions responsibility to decide what *you* and your family watch? If it’s offensive, scary, gory, graphic, sexual, whatever….. turn it off or change the channel! No one is forcing you to watch-you have the power right at your fingertips.

As an adult with children, it’s up to ME to make the choices for my kids and I don’t expect anyone else to do it for me. Censorship in many cases is a very bad thing. I don’t want someone telling me what to do anymore than I already have to tolerate. Personal responsibility for what *you* do and what *you* will allow in your home is all it takes.

There are many shows now where the “hero” is some kind of criminal or loser. The most obvious are the mafia shows, Sopranos, etc., and now there is even one where the high school science teacher also runs a crystal meth lab. (”Breaking Bad”) I can’t even imagine how such a concept could have made its way to the air.

Just do a search and you’ll see, that one has people all over the internet discussing the best crystal meth recipes, compared to what they’ve seen on the show.

Controversy is a form of publicity though, and publicity gets people paid. Unfortunately, any fool can start controversy, and apparently, any fool can now come up with a TV show concept that will get airtime on SOME network.

I fully understand what the previous comments & the author of the piece is saying. Having been in commercial broadcasting for many years…you own your radio/TV & are never forced to listen/watch anything at all. If anything on the air/cable/satellite offends you…TURN IT OFF! Even better… unsubscribe to your service provider…then get rid of your television. Problem solved on any offensive material entering your home.

The problem is that too many people are more than willing to post their feelings about any topic…but they are still the ones who keep the shows they disdain on the air. The prime example is that of Howard Stern. He got most of his ratings from those who couldn’t stand him…but they listened for the same reason those who enjoyed Stern would listen.

Having never watched Dexter…have no comment…other than what those who have seen it have told me.

I think some of you need to get the stick out of your you-know-where and just relax a little. Dexter is one of the most interesting and intriguing shows on TV. I probably won’t be watching in on CBS, having seen all the originals on Showtime and not wanting to see the edited versions, but Like mhz, I prefer this rather kinky and strange anti-hero to the glorified goons of The Sopranos and other organized crime shows. Sure, Dex is not for everyone, but for totally opposite but just as compelling reasons, neither is The Sound of Music.