'Two and a Half Men' Rebuked for More Inappropriate Content
One of CBSs popular sitcoms drew complaints from the Parents Television Council, just one month after the show irked Christians with its vulgar adaptation of a Christmas carol.
Two and a Half Men, a television program about two brothers living together with a young son, reportedly featured a dialogue about bestiality and having sex with vegetables on an episode that aired Jan. 22.
The PTC criticized the show, noting that the subject matter is completely inappropriate for younger children, and that the advertisers who broadcasted commercials during the program should ask for their money back.
CBS should be ashamed for airing such explicit sexual dialogue, particularly at 9 p.m. in the Eastern/Pacific time zones and at 8 p.m. in the Central/Mountain time zones, said PTC president Tim Winter in a statement.
Most of the improper scenes that the episode had been criticized for had featured the child star of the show, 13-year-old Angus Jones, who plays Jake.
The PTC head also went on to rebuke many of the advertisers who refuse to deem the action wrong and demand a refund.
They should seriously evaluate how their customers will feel when they learn of the sponsors decision to underwrite references to bestiality, masturbation with fresh produce, and other graphic sexual dialog, added Winter. Is this truly the kind of content they want to associate with their hard-earned corporate brands?
In December, Two and a Half Men stirred up controversy when Charlie Harper, played by comedian Charlie Sheen, sang vulgar recreations of popular Christmas carols such as Joy to the World in an episode. The American Family Association called for an apology from CBS for mocking Christ and Christmas and urged Christians to call in with complaints.
The PTC is now encouraging all the sponsors of the CBS show to reassess their connection with the network. Sponsors include Blockbuster, Hyundai Motor Company, Sony Pictures, Charles Schwab, Johnson & Johnson, Warner Brothers, Citigroup, Revlon, Weight Watchers, Eli Lilly and Company, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and Yum Brands.