allan2
Gone Fishing
In light of recent discussions of the biases of the Fox Network (and they ARE biased of course, like any other), I noticed something I hadn't really thought of before: Their news and commentary programming are a bit to the right, but many of their SHOWS have been rather edgy, controversial, and arguably, somewhat "left" (albeit in a more pleasing way, IMHO 
).
Consider "the Simpsons". Don't get me wrong, it is one of my all-time favorite TV shows--but while its satire takes on all comers, it tends to satirize the right somewhat more often--from Mr. Burns to Ned Flanders, and many of the little one-liners that come from the characters, there seems to be a bit of a "left" perspective to the show overall--not that it bothers me in the least, the show is frigging hilarious! It's a classic.
Another very different example is this season's "24" series. Beyond President Palmer being a Democrat who is the principled statesman we don't see much these days in real life, the story itself, if you've been following it, raises some implications about wars and why we fight them that I don't think the "right" would want implied right now, but the left have been hinting at for years.... (I won't go into details on the "24" season, in case some here haven't been watching it but maybe plan to get the DVD--like a buddy of mine who works evenings--but let's just say it's a rather interesting storyline in light of recent events. I think those who have been watching it will know what I'm talking about).
Overall, Fox's SHOWS have a reputation for going outside "the box" a bit, and for breaking some old taboos--something itself more associated with the "left" than the "right", particularly the "religious right". And I find it interestingly ironic whenever Bill O'Reilly does a schpiel about "too much sexual content on television" (I think I've heard a couple different variations on this theme from him) when his own network keeps breaking barriers in this regard, itself!
So, could we say that while Fox NEWS has a right slant, Fox SHOWS are, well, a bit more "liberal", in more than one sense of the word? Maybe THAT is an attempt at "balance", of sorts? Anyone else ever thought about this interesting contrast within Fox's programming?
). Consider "the Simpsons". Don't get me wrong, it is one of my all-time favorite TV shows--but while its satire takes on all comers, it tends to satirize the right somewhat more often--from Mr. Burns to Ned Flanders, and many of the little one-liners that come from the characters, there seems to be a bit of a "left" perspective to the show overall--not that it bothers me in the least, the show is frigging hilarious! It's a classic.
Another very different example is this season's "24" series. Beyond President Palmer being a Democrat who is the principled statesman we don't see much these days in real life, the story itself, if you've been following it, raises some implications about wars and why we fight them that I don't think the "right" would want implied right now, but the left have been hinting at for years.... (I won't go into details on the "24" season, in case some here haven't been watching it but maybe plan to get the DVD--like a buddy of mine who works evenings--but let's just say it's a rather interesting storyline in light of recent events. I think those who have been watching it will know what I'm talking about).
Overall, Fox's SHOWS have a reputation for going outside "the box" a bit, and for breaking some old taboos--something itself more associated with the "left" than the "right", particularly the "religious right". And I find it interestingly ironic whenever Bill O'Reilly does a schpiel about "too much sexual content on television" (I think I've heard a couple different variations on this theme from him) when his own network keeps breaking barriers in this regard, itself!
So, could we say that while Fox NEWS has a right slant, Fox SHOWS are, well, a bit more "liberal", in more than one sense of the word? Maybe THAT is an attempt at "balance", of sorts? Anyone else ever thought about this interesting contrast within Fox's programming?
)
Perhaps because, contrary to popular belief, Murdoch doesn't micromanage his TV empire & his #1 priority is to make money, not sell an agenda. In the process of making money, he's found TV shows like 'the Simpsons', which conflict with his agenda, are profitable so acceptable.
