Violence in the media has been heavily scrutinized for hundreds of years. After any publicized tragedy that includes violent behavior, some are quick to assert the idea that we are causing or at the very least contributing to these violent outbursts by glorifying violence in media such as movies, TV shows, and video games. It is estimated that by the age of 18, children will see more than 200,00 acts of violence and 16,000 murders on TV (Senate Committee). They contend that the violence seen by children and adolescents in their favorite TV shows and movies makes them more likely to participate in aggressive behavior. Two shows that perfectly exemplify society’s obsession with violence, are the old cartoon Tom and Jerry, and the popular action-adventure
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As one would expect in a zombie-based show, violence is a mainstay in the series. However, The Walking Dead takes violence and gore to unimaginable levels. It is not uncommon to see use of various firearms, bodies being ripped apart, heads being bashed in by clubs or other handheld weapons, bodies being set on fire, etc. The show has faced its fair share of criticism, as it started out with a rating of TV-14, but after pressure from the Parents Television Council, it was eventually changed to a rating of TV-MA. President of the PTC Tim Winter made a statement: “Throughout its run, the AMC program ‘The Walking Dead’ has featured some of the most graphic and brutally intense violence and gore imaginable. In the current season alone the show has depicted hundreds of scenes of grisly murder both of living and ‘undead,’ but human, characters. Clearly, 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” (Johnson 2012). Similar to Tom and Jerry, its popularity is almost unprecedented. It was the first cable series in history to lead as the biggest Fall show among 18 – 49-year-olds. Additionally, it beat out all other broadcast and cable entertainment series (AMC 2012). Currently on its 7th season with plans for a 12th season, The Walking Dead may be an even better representation of America’s infatuation with vivid violence and
As one would expect in a zombie-based show, violence is a mainstay in the series. However, The Walking Dead takes violence and gore to unimaginable levels. It is not uncommon to see use of various firearms, bodies being ripped apart, heads being bashed in by clubs or other handheld weapons, bodies being set on fire, etc. The show has faced its fair share of criticism, as it started out with a rating of TV-14, but after pressure from the Parents Television Council, it was eventually changed to a rating of TV-MA. President of the PTC Tim Winter made a statement: “Throughout its run, the AMC program ‘The Walking Dead’ has featured some of the most graphic and brutally intense violence and gore imaginable. In the current season alone the show has depicted hundreds of scenes of grisly murder both of living and ‘undead,’ but human, characters. Clearly, 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” (Johnson 2012). Similar to Tom and Jerry, its popularity is almost unprecedented. It was the first cable series in history to lead as the biggest Fall show among 18 – 49-year-olds. Additionally, it beat out all other broadcast and cable entertainment series (AMC 2012). Currently on its 7th season with plans for a 12th season, The Walking Dead may be an even better representation of America’s infatuation with vivid violence and