# "Problematic" or potentially harmful Film/Television Shows **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 2, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076 "2024-05-02T17:55:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2024, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/121 "2024-05-09T22:58:23Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > The premise sounds terrible. Right? I’m glad **Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle** gave away the plot in case I ever came across that film and gave it a shot. I don’t need Hollywood endings for every movie, but that sounds infuriating. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2024, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/122 "2024-05-09T23:01:11Z")
For me, the movie “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” was one “oh, get out of here” moment after another. I do understand that the story was made to introduce children to the Holocaust without upsetting them too much. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2024, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/123 "2024-05-09T23:16:35Z")
Or Tangled? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2024, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/124 "2024-05-09T23:21:25Z")
Wait - what’s wrong with Tangled? I love that movie. It’s about a woman realizing her mother doesn’t give a shit about her and getting a life. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2024, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/125 "2024-05-09T23:21:48Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > A fun film, if only for the lead actors - Emilia Clarke is utterly adorable, and based on interviews and such I’ve seen with her, the character she plays in this is much closer to her real personality than Khaleesi - but it got a [lot of pushback from the disabled community](https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/me-before-you-film-disability-sam-claflin-emilia-clarke-assisted-suicide-death-a7052716.html), for its message that it’s better to be dead than disabled. As my grandfather got older I remember him saying “If I can’t wipe my own ass just let me die.” He was a poet, I tell ya. While I understand where critics of the movie are coming from, I can’t help but think choosing death isn’t always the wrong choice. And maybe we shouldn’t tell everyone that they _must_ choose life in all circumstances. I’m with my grandfather. If I’m at the point where I won’t be able to wipe my own ass for the rest of my life then maybe it’s time for me to let go. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2024, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/126 "2024-05-09T23:24:45Z")
All true! I was responding to this: > [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I’m not sure anything that results in the death of its lead can be considered a rom-com. vis-a-vis Eugene. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2024, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/127 "2024-05-09T23:31:50Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > The newer episodes (2011-12, and more within the past of couple of years) included reaction videos, and also send-ups of “Teen Mom” and other TV shows. Oh yeah, watching them crap all over “Jersey Shore” was the highlight of the reboot. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2024, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/128 "2024-05-10T14:33:47Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > “JFK” got people thinking, and that is a good thing The type of “thinking” it got people to do is most definitely _not_ a good thing, as demonstrated by your post. Teaching the next generation to believe in conspiracy theories is what led to Qanon and anti-vax morons. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2024, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/129 "2024-05-10T15:11:36Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Heh, this made me think of COPS. I used to love watching it, then I realized one day that I was just watching a long string of folks having what is probably the worst day of their lives. So I quit watching, and I think I’m probably happier because of it. I could have made this exact statement. I also watched COPS and other real-police-activity shows until I came to the same realization and stopped. I also feel better not watching people in absolutely terrible circumstances for entertainment purposes. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2024, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/130 "2024-05-10T15:17:50Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > I also feel better not watching people in absolutely terrible circumstances for entertainment purposes. Ever watch Bare Knuckle Fighting? Every match winds up with one or both fighters looking like they were in horrible car wrecks without seat belts or airbags. Oh, and there’s a women’s division. I watch for the cringe factor. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2024, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/131 "2024-05-10T15:46:30Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Heh, this made me think of COPS. I used to love watching it, then I realized one day that I was just watching a long string of folks having what is probably the worst day of their lives. So I quit watching, and I think I’m probably happier because of it. I wouldn’t search out “COPS”, but my wife liked it. I think the popularity of the show stemmed from a feeling of “Look at these rednecks. At least I’m not as stupid as they are!” Similar feeling about “Here Comes Honey Boo-Boo”, or the spin-off “Mama June - From Not to Hot”. Jesus f~\<\>ing Christ! She dates a pedophile _who molested her daughter 10 years earlier_ and gets _another_ TV show? I watched one episode of Honey Boo-Boo, and it was just as bad as I expected. You can tell that the situations were scripted, then shot and edited to show the stupidest parts. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2024, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/132 "2024-05-10T20:07:36Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > “JFK” got people thinking, and that is a good thing. About what? A stream of made up facts and lies? > [@nearwildheaven](#): > > My dad didn’t let us watch M_A_S\*H because he didn’t want us thinking there was anything funny or entertaining about war. Funny stuff happens even in war. _The Story of G.I. Joe_ which is about Ernie Pyle has some lightly funny moments, and it is pretty true to life. Same with Bill Mauldin’s real life in the foxhole cartoons. > [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Wait - what’s wrong with Tangled? I love that movie. It’s about a woman realizing her mother doesn’t give a shit about her and getting a life. We love that film, but Mother Gothel is not her mother. ---
**Author:** ![Boudicca90](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boudicca90/32/16818_2.png) [@Boudicca90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boudicca90)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2024, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/133 "2024-05-10T22:42:55Z")
A while back I watched _Once Upon A Time In America_ since I am a fan of Sergio Leone’s movies and of prohibition-era gangster movies in general. I had to stop watching almost halfway through the film after the second time the main character raped a woman and got away with it. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2024, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/134 "2024-05-10T22:43:27Z")
Police officers have also said extensively that about 10 minutes in their whole careers would be interesting enough to make it onto “COPS.” After I started working at a hospital, I couldn’t watch those reality ER shows any more either, even though I didn’t work anywhere near the emergency room. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/135 "2024-05-10T22:46:57Z")
People like this have always existed. They have the Internet, not a 30-year-old movie, to thank for their visibility. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2024, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/136 "2024-05-10T23:58:29Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Police officers have also said extensively that about 10 minutes in their whole careers would be interesting enough to make it onto “COPS.” Yep, which is why Veteran cops said Barney Miller was the most realistic cop show- with-IIRC- no gun fights on screen (i think 2-3 off screen?) When I was on the Grand Jury I did several “ride-alongs” and not much exciting occured . A homeless guy with a knife was about it, but it wasnt a large knife and he dropped it. My “job” was to stand off to the side with my cell phone out in case something bad happened. The officers said I made a good distraction (the “perp” had to look back and forth at me and the cop), so i guess I wasnt an _entire_ waste of space. Homeless was the big call, then noise complaints, and a ticket or two. But the SJPD officers I went with didnt seem to like giving tickets. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2024, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/137 "2024-05-11T00:03:25Z")
Do you listen to the podcast Bananas for Bonanza by any chance? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2024, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/138 "2024-05-11T05:11:06Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Police officers have also said extensively that about 10 minutes in their whole careers would be interesting enough to make it onto “COPS.” > > After I started working at a hospital, I couldn’t watch those reality ER shows any more either, even though I didn’t work anywhere near the emergency room. It’s a hell of a lot more than 10 minutes in my whole career but certainly not every day or sometimes every week. I went to the academy with a couple of guys who were on _COPS_ years ago. They were with the Jersey City police department which is a very busy department. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/139 "2024-05-11T15:59:27Z")
Never heard of it. Don’t listen to many podcasts. What’s the premise? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2024, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076/140 "2024-05-11T16:04:20Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > When I was on the Grand Jury I did several “ride-alongs” and not much exciting occured . A homeless guy with a knife was about it, but it wasnt a large knife and he dropped it. There was that live show following officers in a number of jurisdictions. I appreciated it _because_ it showed that most of their jobs were boring or nothing odd. They had a lot of times where they could not find anything interesting going on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic-or-potentially-harmful-film-television-shows/1001076.md?page=8)