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PTC enraged over 'The Walking Dead'

Parent group says drama needs a mature audiences' rating

By Mekeisha Madden Toby Dec 13, 2012 1:21PM

 

'The Walking Dead' '/' AMC

If you think "The Walking Dead" became a hit when 15.2 million people tuned in to watch the mid-season finale recently, you're wrong.

 

A more accurate cultural barometer is the disapproval of the Parents Television Council. The often mocked group, which goes after only popular fare, slammed the zombie drama Thursday for its "blatant misrating" as a TV-14 offering. Instead, the group argues, "The Walking Dead" should be rated TV-MA because of its violent content and language.

 

Bing: More on 'The Walking Dead' | Parents Television Council

 

"Throughout its run, the AMC program 'The Walking Dead' has featured some of the most graphic and brutally intense violence and gore imaginable," said PTC President Tim Winter, in a written statement. "In the current season alone, the show has depicted hundreds of scenes of grisly murder both of living and 'undead,' but human, characters."

 

Plus: Goriest 'Walking Dead' moments | 'Homeland' Season 2: most shocking moments

 

And you know in that one episode, where Rick (Andrew Lincoln) kills a prisoner with a machete, or that other one, where Glenn (Steven Yeun) stabs that guy with a zombie bone? Yeah, the PTC didn't like those scenes.

 

"The intensely violent content has included depictions of the cleaving of human skulls with a machete," Winter continued. "Extreme gun violence including graphic depictions of blood and brains splattering after gunshot wounds and the use of a sharpened human bone as a weapon to stab another character."

 

Winter added that the word s--- is used excessively and "this is content appropriate to an adult-only audience, but AMC has rated every single episode of 'The Walking Dead' as suitable for a 14-year-old child."

 

So what is it that the PTC wants? The group, which has 1.3 million members, wants AMC and former Senator Gordon Smith, who chairs the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board, to make this a TV-MA show. AMC and Smith have yet to comment.

 

But here's the thing: Such a rating might make the show seem even cooler and more 14-year-old viewers will probably tune in.

 

Season 3 of "The Walking Dead" continues Sunday, Feb. 10, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on AMC.

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129Comments
anthony (BANONE)
Dec 13, 2012 3:57PM
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Dear PTC. STFU. Ask your 14 year old what that means

Summerbreeze52
Dec 13, 2012 3:55PM
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Seriously? I watch this show with all 3 of my kids and we all love it. They're 17, 15 and 11 and know the difference between reality and fantasy.
These PTC people need to remember one thing, if you don't want your kids to watch it, then turn off the tv or change the channel. Find something worth while to complain about.

pass_the_popcorn
Dec 13, 2012 3:50PM
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The Walking Dead is my show, so don't ef with it.... or I'll pretend to be Michonne while you are Penny.  Catch my drift?

Dog Lover18
Dec 13, 2012 3:50PM
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That's fine...give it a TV-MA rating...but, it's the parents choice whether or not to let their kids watch it, isn't it?  Whether or not it has a TV-MA rating or not!  Either way it's a choice!
Soreal208
Dec 13, 2012 3:46PM
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I agree TV-MA is okay for the show, but what I don't get is that they are okay with 16 and Pregnant being on TV..... so it is bad to have zombies being killed and but not bad that we get to watch kids that are 16 raising kids. So Yes lets teach kids how to be teen parents but don't let them see zombies being killed..... Oh wait they can just go on the internet and watch it whenever they want.

 

Parents should be parents and take control and stop blaming everything on TV station.

TheTruth001
Dec 13, 2012 3:42PM
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I agree with everyone but Tonz, it doesn't matter what "TV" rating you give the show, If the viewers like it they are going to watch it. If these whinners want to complain then don't watch the show its as easy as that. There are more than 300 different things on TV at any given moment, if you can't find anything else on then you have the problem. The ratings show how much this show is liked or not liked. Even though according to the last ratings this show is more then well liked.  So to wrap this up, if you like this show watch it and if you don't and think its to violent for your kids to watch then don't watch. Now is that so hard!!
Smeado
Dec 13, 2012 3:40PM
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Totally fine for a normal 14 year old. The things I watched when I was 14 make The Walking Dead look like a Disney show.

SomeLameNameHere
Dec 13, 2012 3:35PM
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Have these guys seen some of the PG-13 movies that are out there?  A lot of movies only get an R rating if they have nudity in them. The only exception lately was the movie Bully because little kids said cuss words. The same words can found in PG-13 movies along with explosions, gunfire, and violent death.
Fizzlebottom
Dec 13, 2012 3:33PM
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If you don't like it,turn it off or watch Disney.Besides ,why not b itch about somthing worth b itching about.
Really Snoop...
Dec 13, 2012 3:33PM
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Honestly, this can really go either way in my opinion but I don't think a rating change is necassary. I think if the kids that are watching this are 14 or older like they are supposed to be then its fine. Also, lets not forget one little factor judgemental parents.... it is YOUR job to protect your children. Not the t.v. show's job. My father would not let me watch rated R movies until I was 18! I still think he was crazy for that and obviously I watched a few at friends houses or other instances but my dad did everything in his power to not let me. My dad relied on the ratings and it kind of worked out for him but my point is to base some of your decisions on the rating but when push comes to shove it is still your job to get informed on what they are watching and decide whether or not its appropriate.
Frank Sanford (Frank from NO)
Dec 13, 2012 3:31PM
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Maybe, just MAYBE the parents should start being parents and stop depending on things like video games, the internet, cell phones, and television to babysit for them? If you don't want the responsiblity that comes with rasing YOUR CHILD, it's simple, DON'T have one. Anything that is shown on tv that you don't want your kids to see is on YOU, the PARENT. Stop blaming everything else because you're either too lazy or simply don't care about what your kids do until something bad happens.
willigetmysay
Dec 13, 2012 3:30PM
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Parents shouldn't need a TV rating to tell them if a show is appropriate or not for their kids. Parents need to take that responsibility by knowing what the kids are watching. If you don't like what they are watching just change the channel or turn off the TV.  
I think its time
Dec 13, 2012 3:27PM
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Probably should be TV MA but that is besides the point. The rating is only a guide to help parents know what to expect and nothing more. Rating or no rating parents are responsible for what their kids watch and everything else a parent should do. The rating in the corner does nothing to stop kids from watching so it doesn't matter in the end. To bad these dummies can't see that but like similar groups they expect others to do the parenting for them and blame others when the kids turn out to be rotten good for nothings.

I think its time

darth twitty (wmsjaldlkfmt)
Dec 13, 2012 3:25PM
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These bible thumping pusssies need to mind their own business. If they don't like it, don't watch it. If you don't want your little jesus loving babies to watch it, control what they watch and leave everybody else the hell alone! I hate Christians. Always trying to pisss on everybody's good time.
Baslin
Dec 13, 2012 3:24PM
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Or parents could have more brains than a zombie and simply not watch it with young children.
tattoomom
Dec 13, 2012 3:24PM
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really? they're joking right? my 8 and 11 year old watch this...they love it. do you really think my making it TV-MA is going to stop anyone from watching it.
Erf Tonz
Dec 13, 2012 1:49PM
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never thought I'd agree with the Parent's Television Council, but yeah, they're right. "The Walking Dead" needs to be TV-MA
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Entertainment journalist Deanna "TVDeeva" Barnert visits sets, interviews industry players and critiques the final product. Buzz's daytime TV queen covers it all for MSN TV, but loves her sitcoms, soaps and any juicy drama that doesn't call itself Reality TV.

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