Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 22, 1993 TAG: 9305220051
SECTION: NATL/INTL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Reacting to a recent outpouring of televised mayhem, members of the Senate Judiciary Committee's constitution subcommittee bluntly warned top network executives that they face a backlash in Congress over violent programming.
"We'll find a way to come down heavily on the television industry if you don't do that which is necessary," said Sen. Howard Metzenbaum of Ohio. "I'm telling you that you have a problem, and it's a growing cancer. If you don't do something yourself, Congress is going to do something."
Metzenbaum singled out NBC's re-enactment of the Branch Davidian standoff as an example of the networks' attempts to lure viewers with violence. "In the Line of Duty: Ambush in Waco," scheduled to air 9 p.m. EDT Sunday on NBC, is the latest in a series of programs that have prompted critics to dub May "murder month" and "Mayhem May."
Executives from NBC, CBS and ABC acknowledged that they are under intense pressure to snare viewers during the May ratings sweeps, when researchers monitor viewership to determine TV advertising rates.
But the network execs also assured lawmakers that they will tone it down next year - in part because this year's violence failed to draw as many viewers as expected.
Thomas Murphy, chairman of Capital Cities/ABC, said his network's much ballyhooed two-part movie, "Murder in the Heartland," flopped at the box office.
"Frankly, it was an economic disaster," Murphy said. "All the advertisers left the show because it had the violence. It didn't get particularly good ratings."
Howard Stringer, president of CBS Broadcast Group, gave a less-than-glowing review to his network's latest murder-based movie, "When Love Kills: The Seduction of John Hearn."
"The murder mini-series we did this week, which was not especially good, didn't get especially large audiences," Stringer said. "It's not very easy to find quality."
(The top 10 shows last week indicate a lack of interest in much violence. They were: "Cheers;" "Home Improvement;" "Seinfeld;" "Roseanne;" "Home Improvement: Special;" "60 Minutes;" "ABC Monday Night Movie: Tommyknockers, Part 2;" "Murder, She Wrote;" "Coach;" and "Prime Time Live," The Associated Press reported).
Stringer said all three networks have taken steps to reduce violence, including banning the use of devices that simulate spurting blood. He and the other network representatives urged lawmakers to let the industry police itself.
by CNB