FCC Asked To Block New Cartoon Series... For The Children

from the gi-joe? dept

Wed, Sep 15th 2010 1:19pm — Mike Masnick

Benny6Toes alerts us to the news that a children's advocacy group is demanding that the FCC block a new cartoon show that uses a character from shoe company Skechers' advertisements as a part of the series, claiming that it would be the equivalent of a 30-minute commercial, which is against the requirements of the Children's Television Act. The group claims: "the show could pave the way for Ronald McDonald, Tony the Tiger and other iconic cartoon pitchmen to become stars of their own series."

Indeed, but as Benny notes: "After all, what are cartoons for Transformers, G.I. Joe (does that show my age?), Pokemon, or dozens of other kids shows for if not to sell related merchandise?" Saturday morning cartoons have been filled with half-hour long "advertisements" for merchandise for years. More to the point, Benny points out that isn't this really something for parents to decide, rather than the FCC:

But here's a better question: even if it is a 30 minute advertisement, should the FCC (or any government agency) be able to stop a show for that reason? Soap operas, though not targeted at children, were sponsored in whole by specific companies when they originally debuted on radio. That's why they're called, "soap operas."

Shouldn't the parents be able to say, "no," to their children?

Yes, people get annoyed at how commercial children's programming has become, but is that really the FCC's job to deal with it?

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Filed Under: advertising, cartoons, children
Companies: fcc, skechers

58 Comments

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Brian (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 1:05pm

Yes
It is the governments job to stop and or block anything that any citizen does not agree with nor find moral/ethical. The government must protect all of its citizens from something that a group finds to be "wrong". This must be done for the greater good and for the children to protect our country.

/sarcasm
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designerfx (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 1:30pm

Re: Yes
it's sad, but I think if you removed the /sarcasm you'd sum up most teabaggers, republicans, christians, helicopter parents or any combination of the above. Basically anyone intolerant/ignorant.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Sep 2010 @ 1:39pm

FTFY
The government must protect all of its citizens from anything that any individual finds to be "wrong".
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A Dan (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 1:52pm

Re: Re: Yes
You could have made the same point without being intolerant / ignorant yourself if you'd skipped that list of groups.
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Mike42 (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 1:52pm

Absolutely!
How dare they create a show about a product that already exists! Don't they know they have to wait until AFTER it has aired to create products based on the characters? Dora, Sponge Bob, Star Wars... Wait! Master's of the Universe had a product line before the series, and so did My Little Pony and Care Bears... so what gives?
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Dave, 15 Sep 2010 @ 1:53pm

Something must be done!
I don't like the taste of broccoli, so I want a law stopping you from eating it.
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Silver, 15 Sep 2010 @ 1:55pm

Wait, wait, aren't *all* kids cartoon shows the equivalent of a 30 minute commercial? Some examples are:

Transformers (all versions)
G.I Joe
M.A.S.K
Spongebob
etc..etc..
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Floyd (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:00pm

I'm all for 30 minute advertisement cartoons. Advertising is what makes content free (for me), as long as it's entertaining, who cares? (spoiler: idiots) I'm so tired of the government dictating what I can or can't watch/do/say/eat/consume. But everyone from bleeding-heart liberals to war-mongering republicans wants the government to get more involved in everything.
BTW, @designerfx, I'm a Christian and plenty tolerant as well.
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Cathy, 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:01pm

FCC rules
IIRC the FCC has long had rules about advertising in children's shows (before these rules the commercials used to be really egregious, "Kids! Ask your parents to buy you..." onslaughts). The question here appears to be whether the program itself runs afoul of these rules. Don't know the answer, or what the answer SHOULD be, but it doesn't seem that ridiculous a question.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:07pm

Re: FCC rules
If it does not seem ridiculous to you, you are part of the problem.
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Steven (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:09pm

Re: FCC rules
The only thing those rules have done is change the language from:
"Kids! Ask your parent to buy you..."
To:
"Make sure to get your parents permission for ..."

Both ways can be solved with one simple word that many 'parents' seem to have forgotten.

No
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:09pm

Can anyone name even ONE childerns television show that is NOT tied into merchandising???
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Dark Helmet (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:20pm

Re:
Did Xiaolin Showdown have a ton of merchandizing associated with it?

More importantly, was it a children's show? It used to be on WGN after I got home from work before I got cable, and I thought it was pretty funny....
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:22pm

Oobi. A number of the Nick/Nick Jr. shows have little to no merchandising.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:25pm

Are there still any saturday morning cartoons left? From what I remember, part of the reason they disappeared was because of the government insisting that the networks also show "educational" television and the networks decided it would be easier to just not bother with cartoons.
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Dark Helmet (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:30pm

Re:
"Are there still any saturday morning cartoons left?"

There're some, depending on which station you have on.

CBS: Perhaps a few, nothing memorable. Usually done by 10am for some infomercial.

NBC: Really, REALLY weird ones, with odd computer graphics that look like something from a GameCube system and lots of meaningless dragons and stuff

ABC: Nope. Too busy turning kids into dumbed down whores with Hannah Montanna and That's So Raven

WGN: The Japanamation station. Hell, even their Batman cartoon is done in Eastern style.

Fox: Hell no! This is the conservative safe haven. No horrible mindless cartoons from Fox that would hurt the children. Just good, wholesome infomercials, half of which are for workout/exercize equipment modeled by scantily clad bimbos

ESPN: Sportscenter, non-fucking-stop. THIS is cartoons for adults....
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:32pm

Re: Re: Yes
The libby Dems are the Nannies who need to get their noses out of everyone's decision making process. Personal responsibility should not be governed.
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A Dan (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:38pm

Re: Re:
That CW channel shows cartoons on Saturday mornings. It's even still a broadcast station where I grew up.
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Dark Helmet (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:39pm

Re: Re: Re: Yes
It's so cute when people think there's something different between your average democrat and republican.

It's less cute when you derail a thread by discussing your misconception....
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interval (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:39pm

When I saw the headline the first thing that came to my sick mind was "Great! They're finally going to bring pedobear to the video waves." And I was really looking forward to it.
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Johndoe, 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:40pm

Re:
I think the difference is, most shows are first done, then when they become popular, they start to device advertising and merchandising, this doesnt apply to Pokemon and similars since they were all designed based on a game.
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NickN, 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:45pm

And how on earth does anyone think children's programing is paid for?

Without a TV license model like the UK, the only way kids shows are paid for is by the toy/publishing companies. They pay for the show production and often pay for additional ads the run on the same network. Surprise surprise, they like to make their money back. If they don't make money, you don't get your cartoons. It's that simple.

TV is expensive to make. If you want to watch it, someone needs to pay for it (and no, that's not what your cable bill is for, very little of your monthly cable fee goes back to the actual networks and what does is split across all shows on any given network, not just your favorite show). In kids TV there has been a long standing fuzzy line between out and out advertising and actual shows. All of the iterations of Transformers (Beast Wars, Beast Machines etc) are a great example. At the end of the day it is designed to help sell toys, but it is also story-based entertainment.

I think it is hard to argue that an animated character from a sketchers ad has a broader entertainment purpose. Conversely, I think is is very easy to argue that a Spongebob, Dora or GI Joe character has some kind of value beyond advertising (as well as a meaningful backstory etc).

Ronald McDonald, is a much fuzzier example. He's been part of McDonalds for a long time and has been built as a character as well as an advertising vehicle.

But compare that to a (I swear this is real) kids TV show concept that was doing the rounds a few years back featuring all your favorite household brands as characters i.e. Jolly Green Giant, Mr. Clean etc. And not in a cool Cartoon Network/Adult Swim parody kind of way... Clearly a pure ad with no real entertainment value.

Like everything, it's not simple black and white. But mostly, the toy companies and the FCC do an okay(ish) job of striking a balance...

As far as non-merchandized kids shows go (like Oobi), they are often sold to a network as part of a package, so they are paid for by Dora or other heavily merchandized shows that they are bundled with during distribution...

And yes, I'm a former production executive, so this is based on actual experience, not hearsay...
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:48pm

Re: Re: Yes
don't forget the liberals, democrats, peta, greenpeace and your mom.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:49pm

Re:
I will not tolerate you being tolerant. It doesn't fit with my world view so you must be a liar.
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haha, 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:54pm

But Ronald McDonald did have a cartoon.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Sep 2010 @ 2:59pm

Re: Something must be done!
Bush senior tried that
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Wolfy, 15 Sep 2010 @ 3:12pm

When it comes to children's minds, it always been a race to indoctrinate, starting with your religion of choice. Hot on religion's heels come corporate america. The state take it's shot with the pledge the kids are made to recite every morning in school for several years.
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Paul`, 15 Sep 2010 @ 3:30pm

The moral retardations of the few dictate the lives of the many.
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Deirdre (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 3:58pm

I'm going to really show my age. Smurfs were being sold in college bookstores before they were made it into cartoons. They stocked them next to Hello Kitty!
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TechDan (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 4:04pm

Re: Re:
That's because Xiaolin Showdown was awesome.
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RadialSkid, 15 Sep 2010 @ 5:22pm

Am I the only one that recalls the cartoon of the California Raisins in the late '80s? That was pretty much 30 minutes worth of advertising, itself.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Sep 2010 @ 5:23pm

Re: Re: Yes
If you are going after intolerance and ignorance why are you not down on the Democratic Party's 200 year totalitarian campain?

1808 to 1860 Pro Slavery
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antebellum_period
1860 to 1865 Confederate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederate_States_of_America
1865 to 1945 KKK
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klan
1914 to 1950 Pro Communist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_A._Wallace
1950 to Present Anti democratic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressivism_in_the_United_States

The central them has always been a cultural elect controlling a less educated mob with a psychology of "I see it. I want it. Now the only problem is how do I steal it and make it sound like I am doing the people a favor by doing such".
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scote, 15 Sep 2010 @ 6:39pm

"Yes, people get annoyed at how commercial children's programming has become, but is that really the FCC's job to deal with it? "

Yes. Kids are not just little adults. Young children literally can't tell the difference between advertising and programing, not even when the ads are separate. Making a show that is an ad only compounds the problem, and the totally in appropriate manipulation. It is entirely reasonable to have extra laws to limit the manipulation of children by commercial interests.
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Rose M. Welch (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 7:28pm

Re:
Sid the Science Kid.
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Rose M. Welch (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 7:29pm

Re:
Then those laws should target the parents, not people who have no control over your children.
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Floyd (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 7:39pm

@scote

You are the kind of lame ass jerk that makes the world a (mostly) bad place. I have three kids, and guess what, my kids (even as toddlers) understand entertainment, advertising, and the fact that I as a parent am not going to buy them everything that they see. Kids aren't as stupid as people like you seem to think, and if you bother to take the time to explain things to them (like money/cost, gifts and their context, and the meaning of the word 'no').

Here's the kicker: if something is confusing for my children, or I don't want them to watch it, I simply don't allow them to watch it! Incredible, I know.

If you don't like the way the world is, please stop trying to force your world-view on everybody else, and go live in a cave somewhere, where nobody can bother you. I don't use the government to force programs I don't like off the air, but then again I'm not so self-centered that I believe the world should bow down to my wishes. Your parents probably told you that you were unique and super-special, didn't they, narcissist? Give yourself a trophy and a pat on the back, winner.
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Damian (profile), 15 Sep 2010 @ 7:45pm

It's time to d.d.d.d.d.d.d.duel!
Remind anyone of a children's card game played mostly by adults?
Yu-Gi-Oh! in case anyone doesn't get it.
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Bryan, 15 Sep 2010 @ 8:28pm

Not Their Job, Be The Parent
@Floyd

I could not agree with what you said any more than I already do.

If parents would step up and start paying attention to what their kids are doing online, what they're watching on TV, and who they're hanging out with.

And when you don't like it? /You/ stop it. I say /You/ like that because it is up to /you/, the parent to tell /your/ kids "no".

You're the parent. You control their access to the internet, the TV, and who they're allowed to talk to.

If your kid is getting in trouble on the internet (Jessi Slaughter, great example) it is up to /you/, the parent, to pull the plug and tell them "no more".

If you don't want your kid watching Girls Gone Wild ads at 3AM, it is up to /you/, the parent, to pull the plug and tell them "no".

If your kids are hanging out with someone who's in constant trouble with the police, it is up to /you/, the parent to tell them "no, you can't".

At no point should it ever become the Government's job to raise your kids for you.

And to those of you who auto-cry "Well I can't keep an eye on them 24 hours a day!", guess what? Find a way. There are a few hundred thousand programs that will monitor your kids online. There's a plug in the wall that will keep your kids from watching TV when you don't want them to. And if your kids are leaving the house without you knowing about it? Guess what, step it up.

It isn't the Fed's job to raise your kids, It's yours.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Sep 2010 @ 8:54pm

Re:
So...you would like every single show to be banned? After all, the vast majority of shows now use product placement, or are selling their own merchandise related to the show, or are hyping other content.

Quickly now, go back to sheltering your children from all the horrors of reality. I'm sure that will turn out well.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Sep 2010 @ 9:50pm

Re: Re: Re: Yes
Yeah, you're mad, all right. I suggest taking two anti-losertarian-butthurt pills and going to bed.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Sep 2010 @ 9:51pm

Re: Re: Re: Yes
Suck that right-wing cock, boy! Suck it good!

Democrats then == Repubs/Teatards today.
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Dark Helmet (profile), 16 Sep 2010 @ 3:46am

Re: Re: Re:
Well, that's because I'm pretty sure CW nationwide actually is just WGN (World's Greatest Network). That's also why I'm pretty sure that same CW station of yours will give you the Cubs during MLB season nationwide (but I dont suggest watching....).
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PaulT (profile), 16 Sep 2010 @ 3:53am

Re: Re: Re: Yes
You are the problem with American politics. When people start batting for their "team" rather than what is right, they can get fed any number of lies, as you have clearly demonstrated.

Hint: the Democratic party is not involved in any way here. It's a private group asking an independent government body to do something. Democrats have nothing to do with anything, and it's quite likely that the requested ban will not happen.

Partisan morons like yourself need to shut up and actually listen to facts.
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PaulT (profile), 16 Sep 2010 @ 3:57am

Re: Re: Re: Yes
If you think that's any worse or different to the Republican's reign of fear and ignorance, there's probably a bridge for sale somewhere for you...

Not least because of the southern strategy that mean that the first 4 links you presented actually refer to the modern Republican viewpoint rather than Democrats - look at how many people essentially switched parties because they were disgusted with the civil rights movement. The Democratic party before the 60s and afterwards are very different things.
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PaulT (profile), 16 Sep 2010 @ 4:25am

Re:
Pokemon
Turtles
Zoids
He Man
Bratz

Maybe not *all* kids shows, but it's not hard to pick out the ones where the merchandising came first, then the shows tried to sell it...
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sitarane (profile), 16 Sep 2010 @ 4:46am

Yes, it is the FCC's job
I'm all against protecting morality and leaving it up to people's responsibility and free will. But kids don't have free will. They'll mostly agree with the nearest source of authority and believe it with all their heart.

Parents should filter, of course, but every time they block content, they get the bad-guy sticker. Why make it happen more than necessary. Plus, uninterested parents make terrible judge of what is harmless and what is too much. Search your memory.

It's true that it's hard to draw the line. Pokemon is a good example (as well as Transformers and He-man, for the older crowd :) ). But in those cases, what was sold was what was on screen (in a much idealized version): action figures.

But, Ok, the line is hard to draw. Now I still think it's better badly drawn than not at all.
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Cowardly Annon, 16 Sep 2010 @ 6:35am

Wait...what?
Ok, let's for the sake of argument say that they have a point. The product line already exists, where as for pokemon, transformers and GI Joe the product line followed the show. (I'm not 100% sure about GI Joe, but let's run with it).

What about Mattel and it's Barbie movies? For each movie they release a line of dolls with all the characters from the movie. I remember working with a woman that said it was evil. Her daughter would watch the movie than in the store she'd see the dolls and would want them. She was actually dreading Christmas season one year because of the 12 Princesses movie. 12 pretty Barbie dolls that all the little girls wanted.

This is a blooming joke.
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CJ (profile), 16 Sep 2010 @ 6:44am

good grief
They need to stay out of this before they make matter worse.
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Torinir (profile), 16 Sep 2010 @ 7:17am

Re: Yes, it is the FCC's job
Actually, no... it's not the FCC's job to play parent to kids. That's (MAJOR SHOCKER) the parent's job. Parents need to actually get off their butts and take charge, not let their kids run rampant.

Parents aren't supposed to be a full day's source of asspats, they're supposed to be leadership for their children. It's called responsibility. I know, I know... hard concept to work with, right?

Kid doesn't like being told "No"? Too bad, so sad. Parent's house, parent's rules. Suck it up, princess.
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Prince Valiant, 16 Sep 2010 @ 8:01am

Kill them all...
All children should be blinded and defeaned at birth to prevent them from seeing or hearing anything wrong.

Or, they could be killed outright, so that they never have to experience any bad thing in the wordl.

Sounds ridiculous? Of course.

But at what point do our attempts to shelter children from the world have a decidedly negative impact on them in the future.

To give you a biological example. If you take a child, and for the first 18 years you keep them in a completely controlled environment that doesn't let any virus in... what happens when he turns 18 and you let him out... or he breaks out?

He dies a week later because his system has built no immunity to disease and his body can't fight off even the weakest version of the flu.

We are killing our children by saving them.

And sadly, the masses are too stupid to realize it.
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Danny, 16 Sep 2010 @ 8:39am

Re: Re:
It used to air on Cartoon Network for a while. And while it didn't blow up like say Pokemon there were a few video games for it. It didn't have a ton of merchandising but there was some.

How about Gargoyles? The only merchandise I recall from that was one or two video games on the NES or Gameboy.
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Almost Anonymous (profile), 16 Sep 2010 @ 10:02am

Re:
"""Kids aren't as stupid as people like you seem to think, and if you bother to take the time to explain things to them (like money/cost, gifts and their context, and the meaning of the word 'no')."""

Floyd, for the most part I agree with what you're saying, but I don't agree with the statement above. By providing explanations to your kids, you are encouraging them to seek explanations for other decisions from other adults (like teachers, for instance). The items you noted (money, gifts, etc.) should be discussed, but not in the context of an explanation as to why you're not going to buy them the Super-Awesome-Whatever they just saw on t.v.

Generally speaking, the answer should be "no" and the answer to "whyyyyyyy" should be "because I said so".
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whydoyouwantmyname?, 16 Sep 2010 @ 10:35am

Re: Re:

Floyd, for the most part I agree with what you're saying, but I don't agree with the statement above. By providing explanations to your kids, you are encouraging them to seek explanations for other decisions from other adults (like teachers, for instance).

I hope this is sarcastic. Why shouldn't kids seek explanations from other adults? Why shouldn't kids question the world around them? I prefer to leave the raising of sheep to shepherds. ;)
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Sep 2010 @ 1:53pm

haven't they ever seen a Walt Disney cartoon?
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Sep 2010 @ 3:13pm

Re: Re: Yes
What about helicopter republicans bagging christians?
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Sep 2010 @ 3:15pm

Re: Re:
I'm hardly an expert on children's tv shows, but I can't think of any children's show that isn't aggressively marketed to the point that it could be called a commercial.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Sep 2010 @ 3:17pm

Re: Re:
I find it hard to believe anyone would pitch a show idea, and that a studio would produce it and put it on the air without also coming up with comprehensive merchandising plans.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Sep 2010 @ 3:19pm

Re:
I'd definitely watch that.

"The Zany Adventures of Pedobear and his half-brother, Pedrobear."

Now that I think of it, I'm kind of surprised nobody has done it, or at least a webcomic.
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