While violence is decreasing on network television, the arrival of the “shockumentary” suggests it’s still a jungle out there. According to a UCLA Center for Communication Policy study, the number of series on the four broadcast networks that raise concerns about violence dropped in 1996-97 from the two previous seasons.
What disturbs researchers, says Jeffrey Cole, the report’s author, is the proliferation of such “inexpensive and popular” reality-based specials as “When Animals Attack.” While Cole conceded Tuesday a video of a deer beating up a hunter might seen as humorous by some, the same could not be said about footage of a circus elephant stomping three people to death.
The report, initiated by former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, also points out “programs that deal well with violent themes” (such as “NYPD Blue,” “ER,” “Chicago Hope,” “Homicide” and “Law & Order”) “continue to represent some of the highest-quality series on television.” Cole says the study does not simply count violent incidents, but it also analyzes the context in which they appear.
Shows raising the most concerns? “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Dark Skies,” “America’s Most Wanted,” “High Incident,” “Millennium,” “Nash Bridges,” “Sliders” and “The X-Files.” Children’s shows that featured “sinister violence” were “Power Rangers,” “Project G.e.e.K.e.R.,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “X-Men.”