Subscribe by EmailRussia to ban the Simpsons, Family Guy and South Park?
September 25, 2008 by Mark O'Neill | 5 comments
By Mark O’Neill
Contributing Writer, [GAS]
The Russian parliament, the Duma, is to begin hearings to decide whether to revoke the license of a cartoon TV network because they showed episodes of the Simpsons, Family Guy and South Park.
These three popular US cartoon programmes are being targeted by the Kremlin for termination, but it seems to be South Park which is the main target. It has been described by Russian politicians as ”pornographic, extremist and immoral” and one episode in particular seems to have got their vodka bottles in a twist – “Mr Hankey’s Christmas Classics“.
In the episode, Mr Hankey leads a show of various Christmas songs with the lyrics all changed to poke fun at organized religion. The Russian Government feels this “incites religious hatred” and “offends religious people”.
But wait! They have more complimentary things to say about Eric Cartman and his chums!
There are full of scenes of mutilation and infliction of physical and moral suffering that evoke fear, panic and terror in children.
This media product is of low moral and ethical content and has an extremely negative effect on children, it perverts their moral orientation and increases the danger of panic and neurotic ailments.
So if Mr President-Prime Minister Putin gets his way and there’s no South Park, Simpsons or Family Guy in Russia anymore, what will there be on TV to laugh at instead?
The Russian parliament has decreed that if the cartoon licence is revoked the American cartoons will be replaced with programmes that will teach children patriotism, respect for family values, and the importance of sport.
To quote Cartman, “WHAT?! GODDAMMIT! YOU’RE GOTTA BE KIDDIN’ ME! YOU’RE BUSTING MA BALLS!”
And to show you what all the fuss is about, here’s a clip of “Mr Hankey’s Christmas Classics”. Don’t send me all the flames. I didn’t make this episode! I’m merely reporting it.
Russia to ban Simpsons and South Park – Daily Telegraph
Russia attempts to ban South Park – Guardian news blog
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“South Park” isn’t for young kids anyway… there’s a “TV-MA” rating on the show for a reason!
I’d have given “The Simpsons” a pass for older kids. “Family Guy” would definitely only be shown after the kids are put to bed.
If the network in question ran these shows when young kids would be liable to be watching, I’d want to rap the TV station on the knuckles, too.
Going as far as to ban the show? Not too sure… SP and FG are really for grown-ups, imo.
It’s only the enlightened that can appreciate the classics such as this ;p
“..that evoke fear, panic and terror in children.”
“… and has an extremely negative effect on children, it perverts their moral orientation and increases the danger of panic and neurotic ailments.”
Well its not meant for children.. such stupid arguments.
Well, South Park was banned in my country also (Romania). That does not mean that I didn’t watch every episode online ;)
Im 14 and always watch Simpsons Family Guy and South Park these shows have ratings for a reason