Newsweek magazine has an article in its latest issue (July 20) that reaffirms the obvious - Hollywood's values conflict with those of most middle Americans.
The magazine story, by Kenneth Woodward, takes its cue from Vice President Dan Quayle's infamous "Murphy Brown" speech, then goes a bit farther by quoting experts, such as those who direct the Washington-based Center for Media and Public Affairs. The organization did a study in 1991 that found the views of Hollywood movers and shakers to be far more liberal than the rest of the country.So, what else is new?
More than 100 top television writers and executives were asked questions that paralled a poll taken of average American viewers. The results:
- A whopping 85 percent of the country believes adultery to be wrong. But in Hollywood, it's 49 percent.
- A minute 4 percent of the nation says it has no religious affiliation, compared to 45 percent in Hollywood.
- Some 76 percent of Americans feel homosexual acts are wrong. In Hollywood, it's 20 percent.
- Abortion rights are supported by 59 percent of the country compared to Hollywood's 97 percent.
The article concludes that "television - alone or in combination with magazines and movies - is not to blame for the decline in family values. Symptom it may be of deeper cultural confusions and contraditions. But, as even Quayle must know, it is not the cause."
Well, of course it's not the cause. The personal values one embraces are not likely to plummet because of TV, movies, magazines, music or other forms of entertainment. But when it comes to children, entertainment can certainly be a damaging influence.
If you don't think so, ask any elementary school teacher of any tenure how the language of children has changed over the past decade. They'll tell you that many of the harsher words that exit kids' mouths these days have been learned from movies, videos and even the lyrics of some popular songs.
Hollywood artists continually "push the envelope," as they like to say - making vulgar, sexual and violent imagery and language more and more an accepted aspect of modern entertainment. And more and more it shows up in entertainment aimed at children.
The Newsweek article also quotes Robert Coles, author of classic studies of American Life, who says parents are in favor of so-called "family values, even if the reality of their own homes doesn't always live up to those values."
That also applies to the entertainment we allow into our homes. Parents will sometimes let their children see and hear things of which they don't generally approve, but not through hypocritical motivation. It's just getting harder and harder to find a movie, video or television program that doesn't have some offensive element. So, rather than ban entertainment, parents tend to let their kids watch a movie with violence or profanity or sexual content, hoping their children will realize that Hollywood's standards do not reflect their own.
Even if kids go to a relatively "clean" movie, they may have to endure a trailer (preview of a coming attraction) for some sleazy film they would never choose to see. That can also happen on a video. And during the commercial breaks of their favorite TV shows, kids will likely see sleazy commercials or promotional spots for even sleazier shows.
The upshot is that parents just can't let Hollywood make all their viewing decisions. We need be more selective.
- ACTION FANS WHO helped make "Universal Soldier" a solid hit last week have been asking if the violent sci-fi thriller was partly filmed in Utah.
The question is legitimate, since Jean-Claude Van Damme, being chased across the country by Dolph Lundgren - both seemingly destroying everything in their paths - passes through a pair of small southern Utah towns, identified in the film as Tyler and Clinton.
As far as I can tell, there is no real town in Utah called Tyler. There is a Clinton, of course, but it's farther north, in Davis County.
Back to the question - no, the film was not shot in our fair state.
Arizona doubles for Utah.
- QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Anthony Hopkins, Oscar-winner for "The Silence of the Lambs," currently in "Howard's End," telling John Hartl, of the Seattle Times, that Richard Attenborough wanted him to play "Gandhi"':
"With my physical frame, I thought he was mad. Then I thought, `I'll have a go at it.' I went to a fat farm in New Mexico in 1978 and realized there was no way, so I called Richard the next day. Looking back on it, I think both of us must have had some mental aberration."
- QUOTE OF THE WEEK II: Ellen Barkin, co-starring with Jack Nicholson in "Man Trouble," telling UPI's Vernon Scott that she had to learn to drive for the film:
"I still drive very carefully and very slowly. It's funny because I had an image of myself as being a really fast driver until I learned how. Any speed over 40 puts me into panic. On the freeway other drivers hate me. I drove my instructor crazy by getting behind the biggest, slowest truck I could find, even if it meant breathing all the smoke and fumes. I felt safe except when I had to change lanes."