[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Freaks and Geeks

[Sheryll Townsend]

> Mary Ann:
> 
> 
> I haven't heard of this show, much less watched it
> (I'm in the UK) but 
> I doubt that the video store would show any show or
> movie above PG-13.  
> We need to get Sheryll's attention ***whips out a
> photo of Alan Rickman 
> and a bottle of Dr. Pepper*** and ask what the
> Canadian Blockbuster 
> policy is.  IMO, provided the rating is not above
> PG-13 I see no reason 
> to turn the TV off.  Despite having 3 kids and
> working with children I 
> do not believe that the shops are obligated to cater
> entirely at a 
> child's level.  The majority of the video shop
> customers are, I assume, 
> adults, and therefore the shop's advertising would
> be geared towards 
> them.  If something in a shop offends me I vote with
> my feet and my 
> wallet, and go elsewhere.
> 
Sheryll:

Yeah, the Alan Rickman photo and a Dr. Pepper might
have done the trick sooner if I'd actually been
inclined to poke about on Amanda's computer instead of
enjoying her company and the delightful sunshine of
San Antonio. Now that I'm home, however, you have my
full attention. Unless you're the one who arranged for
it to snow for my return home! 

*open the Dr. Pepper, slides the photo of Alan Rickman
under the keyboard for safekeeping* :D

Okay, on to Blockbuster's stance on what to watch.
Now, Canada doesn't have the same ratings as the US.
Our ratings are:
G - all ages
PG - Parental Guidance
14A - can't be rented to anyone under 14 (or, as a
theatre rating, under 14 must be accompanied by an
adult)
18A - can't be rented to anyone under 18 (or, as a
theatre rating, under 18 must be accompanied by an
adult)
R - No one under 18 admitted to the theatre. Not sure
why they sometimes use this on DVDs, but they do. 

Canadian Blockbuster stores only play G or PG rated
films before 9 p.m. After 9 we can venture into the
14A territory, but with restrictions. No nudity,
nothing sexual and as little profanity as possible.
The F word is not allowed, but the occasional mild
profanity is okay. One would presume that small
children wouldn't be in the store late in the evening,
though I've seen some parents drag children under the
age about 10 in around closing time on a weeknight (11
pm for our store, midnight for busier locations).

That said, the same rules would not necessarily apply
at all US locations. All Canadian stores are owned by
Blockbuster but some US locations are independently
owned franchises, so not sure how strictly they follow
these guidelines. 

I can't remember now who mentioned the playing of DVDs
strictly for the soundtrack, but we do that a lot.
It's not that we can't see the TV screens from our
cashes, either. It's just that we're generally too
busy to watch anything. I keep my personal copy of The
Last Waltz at work because a few of us love to sing
along while we work (preferably when there are no
customers around - singing on key is not my forte!).
One of my fellow shift leads even got caught dancing
along to a DVD once when she thought she was alone in
the store. :D

Btw, we also have a DVD of trailers for the new
releases for the month. That gets played every evening
from 6-9.

Sheryll, imparting more than you probably cared to
know 

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