The PTC has a rating system for all network television shows that resembles a street light.  After examining the entire lineup of network shows, only six "family time" (from 8-11pm) shows got a "green light": (list accurate as of 8/15/00)

Touched By an Angel
7th Heaven
Roswell (labeled as "safe" for teens, although the PTC generally aims for programming to be "safe" for young children)
Boy Meets World
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Early Edition

However, Boy Meets World and Cosby (which apparently was a "green light" show... the link was broken, so I couldn't tell) have both been canned.  Early Edition and Roswell are still awaiting their fates.  Sabrina lost her spot on ABC, but was picked up by the WB.  Which leaves us with Touched By an Angel and 7th Heaven, not coincidentally shows that promote Christianity.

The PTC also has a stake in WWF's SmackDown.  Since the show first appeared on UPN last August, the PTC has released weekly reports, which are broken into two different sections, Take Out the Trash Thursdays and a separate SmackDown section.  Each report offers a synopsis of the "low lights" of each episode, as well as ways to contact the current sponsors of SmackDown.

What surprises me is that these articles are not consistent, or accurate in detail.  There are several obvious editing errors and misspellings in the articles.  The PTC also encourages those who venture to their site to write in to them, claiming to be "interested in your opinions on this matter."  So, last February 23rd, I sent the Parent's Television Council the following email.  There were originally two spelling errors in this email, which appear here corrected.

(I  am aware of my own hypocrisy here.  I criticize the PTC for inconsistencies and misspellings, and then misspelled two words in my email of complaint.  I don't claim to be any less hypocritical than any other being on this planet.  I am a hypocrite, and I know that.  I feel that it is my acknowledgment of this fact, and my striving to eradicate it, that separates me from others.)

I am writing in response to your column series about WWF SmackDown.  While I admit to closely following your column, it is not because I agree with you.  I am a WWF fan, and will continue to be for some time.  I read your column because your strategy interests me.

You see, if you were really going to convince the average WWF fan to quit, you would have to do a few important things.  One, spell the names right.  On the objection page for 11/23, the man's name is Grand Master Sexay.  On the column for 12/22, the name is Pete Gas, with one "s," not two.  The blonde woman referred to in the 1/31 column is B.B., and she is the EMT you refer to in the 2/10 column.  One look at anything official would tell you those facts.  Second, proofread your documents.  On the following site, http://www.parentstv.org/publications/trashthursday/welcome.html, the 12/22 article is titled "Sex and Violence Down, Violence Way Up on Smackdown!."  Now, you can't expect anyone to take a column seriously that contradicts itself so blatantly, because the editors are not paying attention.

Technical difficulties aside, I am convinced that television programming is not to blame for what has happened here.  The WWF sells a product, and that product sells far better than many.  If parents are concerned about what their children are watching (and they should be), then censorship should take place at that level.  I, however, as a consenting adult, like WWF programming, and do not wish to have it pulled from television.  The men and women of the World Wrestling Federation give of their bodies and souls every week to produce the programming that they do.  It is their occupation, their commitment, and they do a fine job of it.  Incidentally, the WWF has censored their programming in the past, and continues to do so.  The "X-Pac and Tori Christmas Story" was severely and obviously edited, the presumed obscenities being replaced by the crowd noise and pans of the audience.  The WWF has also issued a separate disclaimer and many instances of warning stating "do not try this at home" or "these men and women are trained professionals."

Growing up in the society we live in is not easy as it is.  Tragedies occur regularly, and unfortunately the media takes most of the blame.  One must wonder where the parents of such children are when problems arise, and why the warning signs of problems are not detected.  I believe that parents should be better educated on how to deal with problems, and how to provide a situation in which one can even view programming like SmackDown with objectivity, as I do.  I am aware that the show is not "real," that these people are entertainers.  That is their job.  Despite your valiant attempts, the WWF will continue to exist.  Even if SmackDown is pulled from the UPN network, it will show on Pay-Per-View and on the USA network. I am surprised that this web site does not attack cable programming, especially since cable television is nearly standard in homes across America.

I am also curious as to why the top two "Best TV Shows" are obviously Christianity related, and only two other shows received your "green light seal of approval."  Coincidence?  Even one of your few green-lighted shows, Moesha, would have been given your "yellow light" for their 2/7 episode.  Honestly, some of the most entertaining, compelling, realistic and interesting programming available received low marks on your scale.  Your campaign has not changed this individual's mind, and when it comes right down to it, that's what it's all about... individual choice.  I choose SmackDown.

To Whom It May Concern:

  Allow me to begin with my background, and some applause.  I am an intelligent, articulate, analytical eighteen year old college student.  I get good grades, which leaves little time for television.  I do, however, make time for WWF programming.  I find your
brand of sports entertainment enjoyable, and am proud to call myself a WWF fan.
  I have been following the actions of the Parent's Television Council for several months now.  Not only do I find their tactics tasteless, I also find their reports inaccurate and sloppy.
  My personal website, http://www.oocities.org/musician_in_residence/index.html, contains a section dedicated to the PTC, the majority of which concerns SmackDown.  Included is a letter, in its entirety, which I wrote the PTC in February, urging them to correct their mistakes, gratuitous overlookings, and obvious errors.  Not only did I not receive a response, the errors remain unchanged.  My site also carries the "Just Say No" banner that many other WWF supporting sites carry.
  The following is a replica of the email I sent to the PTC:

Dear Samantha,

I wanted to write to you to explain why we took so long to add your e-mail address to our E-Alerts list and to respond to your request.  This past winter saw a flurry of angry e-mail from WWF fans.  Unfortunately, many of them were threatening.  Someone sent a crippling virus to the account where your e-mail was located and we were able to safely access the mail until recently.  I apologize for this long delay and hope we can be of service to you now.  I added you to our E-Alerts list.  We provide this free as a service to our supporters.  E-Alerts are a great tool to keep our friends informed on entertainment trends and PTC campaigns.  If you don't like the E-Alerts, you can follow the instructions at the bottom of each Alert or write ent-cyber@parentstv.org to have your name removed.  E-Alerts are also posted on the web.  We will be having a more active web site this fall that will provide complete sponsor information and contact information for sponsors of offensive shows.  When this is installed, there will be no other web site with such expansive capabilities.

Thank you for your patience and your support.

Dan Weiss
Entertainment Media Analyst

To whom it may concern:

  This is the second letter I have written in response to your organizations actions.  In perhaps an attempt to further your organization's intentions (or perhaps because I don't appreciate inconsistencies), I again correct WWF-related statements:
  Your E-Alert for 8/2/00 is incorrect.  The "Godfather" character has been removed, as have his "hos."  He is now in league with "Steven Richards", the character that the PTC has associated with L. Brent Bozell, according to the E-Alert for 7/19/00.
Steven's character has taken it upon himself to censor the WWF, and has enlisted help, which now includes the former "Godfather" (now the "Good Father").  His character's website, www.wwfho-train.com, which used to feature various scantily clad women and other aspects of the "Godfather"'s character, now is the hailing point for intra-WWF censorship.
  As an additional point, several links from your Family Guide do not work.  These include: Diagnosis Murder (on Sunday's and Thursday's menu), Titus (on Tuesday's), The PJ's (Tuesday), 3rd Rock from the Sun (Tuesday), Norm (Wednesday), King of the Hill
(Wednesday- this link works, but it is to the Simpsons, not King of the Hill), The Strip (Friday- this link works, although the title calls itself the Sentinal), Secret Agent Man (Friday- there is no link at all), Big Brother (Saturday), and Pretender (Saturday).
  Again, I urge you to keep your website and information current if you are to alter the viewpoints of others.
  Also, I received an email from Dan Weiss apologizing for the over four month lull in response from the PTC to my request to be added to the E-Alerts list.  Interestingly enough, this letter was sent to me alone, although I believe I can safely assume that I
was not the only one whose email was "temporarily unavailable" due to the "crippling virus" sent by fellow WWF fans.  This response came four days after I mentioned this presumed coincidence to the WWF.  How ironic.