Freaks and Geeks

[kempermentor]

> Susan:
> Is anyone familiar with the television series Freaks and Geeks?

Kemper now:
Yes.  It is a series worth watching.  When my kid is in middle school,
I will make him watch with me.  The show had commercials, but it was
not commercial.  It was smart.  Unfortunately, only smart people
watched it.  As we all know, we are not legion.

> Susan:
> I asked (again) that it be turned off. The manager responded "well, 
> it's on television." And an obviously impaired teenager said "yeah, 
> it's on tv."

Kemper now:
It's unfortunate that 'it's on television' was the response.  S/He
should have been excited to talk to you about such an awesome show and
attempted to persuade you in renting it sometime.  I know you are very
passionate in with GLBT issues.  GLAAD Media Awards nominated the
episode, 'The Little Things', for Outstanding TV Individual Episode
(In a Series Without a Regular Gay Character)

> Susan:
> I repeated my request loudly (but courteously) several times, and 
> eventually the manager turned it off. 
> He seemed unable to understand my objections (there were children 
> down to age four in the store).
> Am I out of step? Wrong? Does anyone else think this kind of stuff is 
> unsuitable for children?

Kemper now:
I'm not sure if you had the four year old, but it seems unreasonable
to bring in the kid to a video store and expect only kid appropriate
shows on the tv.  

If I was there and there turned it off, I would ask courteously that
it be turned back on.

> Susan:
> Unfortunately, my children have heard profanity at school quite a 
> bit, and the occasional DAMN from me and my partner (whereupon we 
> have to put a quarter in the jar). 
> But we eschew the words "stupid", "dumb" and "retarded" in our
house, ...

Kemper now:
Your children have heard profanity, how do you know that they do not
experiment with the language as well?  I ask that with all respect.  I
did not swear in my house until I was a late teen, but I started
swearing during recess in grade school.  Never near the teachers, just
with my friends.  My mom would have been shocked if she found out, but
I loved my mom (still do) and would never dream about swearing within
earshot of her back then.  Similarly, maybe your children love and
respect you enough not to swear in your presence.  

> Susan: ...and we do NOT watch commercial television.

Kemper now:
There are good shows on commercial television, they're just rare.

Kemper