"Viewer Discretion Advised" For "Tomb" ?

[Lana_Lang #1]

Do you think this episode deserved the "Viewer Discretion" Warning?

[superhippie2000]

Ill let you know after i see the episode but from what has been shown it seems like this episode could be one of the most violent episodes they have had. vengful ghosts taking over chloe's or lois' body (they still never cleared up who was going to be possesed) and blood and some crazy guy trying to kill people i think this will need to advise people about the episode.

[RedPhoenix23]

I think its probably more a gimmick to get people excited for the ep. I am sure its probably darker then most Smallville eps, but I doubt it will really merits a "Viewer Discrection" Warning.

[farmboy20]

it is sweeps week after all

[greatercalling]

sorry if this is a stupid questions, but what is sweeps week, i always hear of the term, but never really knew what i meant. i know its the networks trying to outdo eachother and get better ratings, but what makes a sweeps week different from any other week? someone please fill me in here...

[EricN68]

I vote 'full fruntal nudity'.

[BoSoxJim]

Originally posted by greatercalling
sorry if this is a stupid questions, but what is sweeps week, i always hear of the term, but never really knew what i meant. i know its the networks trying to outdo eachother and get better ratings, but what makes a sweeps week different from any other week? someone please fill me in here...

from wikipedia:

"Sweeps"

Much of the ratings system, however, still consists of the completion by viewers of ratings diaries, in which a viewer records his or her viewing habits, generally for a week, in exchange for being advanced a nominal fee. These diaries play an especially important role during the four annual sweeps periods conducted in February, May, July and November in an attempt to measure smaller local market audiences in markets that are not covered by People Meter samples already. (Other, smaller sweeps are conducted through the year in the markets large enough to be measured by non-demographic meters, but not large enough to be measured by the demographic meters (people meters).)

The term "sweep" refers to how the diaries are handled by Nielsen Media: They are mailed to the households and processed by starting on the East coast and "sweeping" across the nation.

Television networks and other programmers make unusual efforts to attract additional viewers during these periods, including airing mostly first-run programming as opposed to repeats, airing more special broadcasts, and including special content in programming such as guest stars, controversial and unexpected plots or topics, extended episodes, finales, and increased competition in advertising. Even news programs are often involved, airing especially controversial or titillating investigative reports and promotions. For this reason, the "sweeps" system of national ratings has been criticized as not representative of typical programming, and encouraging an increase in content of concern such as violence and explicit sexuality. Outside of these peak periods it is more common to see reruns of televison program

In the States, sweeps normally run for a couple weeks (not from wikipedia).

[greatercalling]

thanks jim, by the way go red sox, im glad damon is gone the yanks can have him, i cant wait to see beckett tear it up on the mound...

[BoSoxJim]

Originally posted by greatercalling
thanks jim, by the way go red sox, im glad damon is gone the yanks can have him, i cant wait to see beckett tear it up on the mound...

any time :)

RED SOX NATION RULES!!!!!

(we now return to regular braodcasting....) :p

[Magus]

why don't we watch the ep and then decide.

[superhippie2000]

because its more fun to guess what happans and have better ideas then the episodes and get our hopes up so we can come back at 9 and say how much the episode sucked

[RedPhoenix23]

That is if we can get in at 9! So...we might as well talk about it now!

[DarkClone]

I'd say after the first scene it needed it . . . shower scene and slit wrists

[Lana_Lang #1]

I warned you "Viewer Discretion Is Advised" would be there for damn good reasons.

It definitely deserved it. 100%

[loisnlana]

Most disturbing episode I can think of at the moment.

[spideyfan]

The guy turning people into wax and smashing them last season was just as bad though.

[LexLuthorMetropolis]

I disagree. It was pretty tame even for the standard that it had.

The violence was purely implied. We never once saw him cut any of the characters. Sure, he threatened them with a gun but beyond that it's nothing we haven't seen before.

The suicide issue more than likely plays into the warning.

The dead body. We've seen dead bodies before the show. Nothing new there.

But the slit wrists and the threatening was about all that stood out.

[ferd]

Originally posted by spideyfan
The guy turning people into wax and smashing them last season was just as bad though.

I'm about as big a chicken as you'll find, and I made it through tonight's eppy just fine. I thought the scene in 'Forever' was much more gory than anything tonight.

There was some suspense, and some emotionally intense scenes, but nothing earth shattering IMHO. The eppy "Hush" on BTVS was some really scary TV, so comparitively "Tomb" wasn't that bad.

:)

[muffinpeddler]

Yeah, Forever was definitely more disturbing. Or how about Tina Greer smashing the head of Val's father in? Implied or not, you KNOW that heads were smashed in both cases!

[LexLuthorMetropolis]

The knife to the heart was purely implied by the shot and that was offscreen as well.

[BoSoxJim]

Originally posted by spideyfan
The guy turning people into wax and smashing them last season was just as bad though.

gee, wasn't that a series of movies as well????

another stolen (i mean adapted) story from those "creative" writers at SV!!!!

[Lexgirl33]

I have to say that it was viewer discretion advised material simply because slitting the wrists is reality

[LexLuthorMetropolis]

Yeap, the wax approach was based on a series of films, that were remade prior. About that time, much like other posters mention FINAL DESITNATION 3 being tied into the 100th episode, the newest HOUSE OF WAX remake was hitting theaters.

[jimmyolsenblues]

Actually I wonder if they knew this episode was going to be so weak that they filmed the beginning and ending scenes last.
Okay we have a terrible episode how do we save it?
Chloe in the shower in the beginning then crying with her mom at the end.
Writer hangover from episode 100?

[muffinpeddler]

Those writers should stop playing wiffleball with that empty watercooler...

[nolabels]

i believe the warning is because it is a topic that is set in reality, theres alot of people that would get triggered by something like that especially if they have a history of SI

[amberdawn]

There was no point to the viewer discretion advised at all.

[superspider02]

yea i think it is for the scuide stuff and the wrist sliting and the intense feeling so i think the warning was good to have.

[tec611]

I thought it was deserved. I get pretty quesy and uncomfortable around knives and slit wrists, things of that nature. I had to turn away more than once. Some people are disturbed by that stuff, especially because its very real as opposed to some kid being able to turn people into wax figures.

the viewer discretion is more so that WB doesnt get sued by some mother of a kid who slit her wrists or was kidnapped who says she was traumatized by watching the episode.

[BoSoxJim]

i think it was needed for the younger viewers but i've seen shows that have shown suicides, slit wrists and the rest. maybe the 8PM EST time slot had something to do with it.

the real viewer discretion advisory should have been that the ep. may eliminate the need for ambien and lunesta.

[zanos]

Originally posted by tec611
I thought it was deserved. I get pretty quesy and uncomfortable around knives and slit wrists, things of that nature. I had to turn away more than once. Some people are disturbed by that stuff, especially because its very real as opposed to some kid being able to turn people into wax figures.

the viewer discretion is more so that WB doesnt get sued by some mother of a kid who slit her wrists or was kidnapped who says she was traumatized by watching the episode.

Many ppl are traumatized from having watched Smallville. This is just a known fact but I don't think anyone is going to kill themselves over it.

[smallvillerocks45]

Though it wasn't as gory or as scary of an episode as I thought it would be, I think it still merited the warning. Not so much for the visual representation, but more so for themes...I mean in addition to suicide and wrist slitting (which are very valid and serious themes to acknowledge), there are also true serial killers out there...it's kind of a wake up call to think that you could be putting your trust in someone, telling them your secrets and all the while they're secretly planning to kill you...that's the scary part. IMO

[tec611]

okay, I didnt say someone would kill themselves, I said someone would could have said they were 'traumatized' by it (but since there was a warning, they would have no case)

if some person sued over being emotionally anquished over a girl that could control bee's...im sure a judge would laugh at them as opposed to something that happens everyday and affects real people. thats all I meant

[LexLuthorMetropolis]

Originally posted by zanos
Many ppl are traumatized from having watched Smallville. This is just a known fact but I don't think anyone is going to kill themselves over it.

I've been watching the site since the first airing and I haven't heard any real conformation of these events on this board or anywhere else.

[BoSoxJim]

Originally posted by zanos
Many ppl are traumatized from having watched Smallville. This is just a known fact but I don't think anyone is going to kill themselves over it.

dear lord! the writers have finally realized that if they can't be creative they should at least divert attention from that fact.

a sv writer: "i know, let's scare the bejeezus out of them!" "then maybe the viewers won't realize that we haven't introduced anything new (creatively) this entire season!"

"but what about the viewers over 30?"

"who cares about them?"

obviously nobody :(

[i9o7skillz]

i think becaues it dealt with slitting of wrists.. you know how kids are these days now.. they think slitting your own wrists is "cool"..

[amberdawn]

If thats the case, then there are a lot of other shows that need to do the same.

[i9o7skillz]

but smallville is mainly aimed towards the younger teens.. come on.. it's on the WB... shows like CSI, or 24 don't really need it because of the demographic the show is appealing to.

[tec611]

no other shows dont. Thats what the TV rating system is for, most shows with this kind of material are rated mature, Smallville is not. People who watch Smallville (or are generally expected to watch smallville) need to be prepared for episodes that contain real and possibly disturbing themes since they are usually expecting clana angst and someone who can split themselves into two people or teleport because of some rock.

[Daphne]

Absolutely I thought it deserved the rating.
YIKES! Scared me good enough and I'm 36.

[BoSoxJim]

Originally posted by tec611
no other shows dont. Thats what the TV rating system is for, most shows with this kind of material are rated mature, Smallville is not. People who watch Smallville (or are generally expected to watch smallville) need to be prepared for episodes that contain real and possibly disturbing themes since they are usually expecting clana angst and someone who can split themselves into two people or teleport because of some rock.

have you ever watched a soap opera? they've had rape on in the middle of the afternoon (luke and laura on GH way back in the day).

please don't tell me other shows don't show what smallville did tonight. click on over to MTV and they have shows full of stuff that would be considered "soft porn" when I was a youngin'.

I mean think about all of the PG-13 movies out and what they contain. Then think about Smallville's episode tonight.

[amberdawn]

Yep, and there was rape on GH recently.

[tec611]

most soaps arent rated PG. and most children arent home watching them either. know your audience, smallville does.

I dont see how a show that usually has juvenile or fantasy filled themes, and if there are mature themes they usually deal with love, growing up, and lies, SHOULDNT have a warning if they choose to deal with themes that are very real, affect real people, can be considered disturbing to some and are of a sensitive nature. It doesnt mean they are showing the first 20 minutes of saving private ryan or anything, but it is definetly of a sensitive nature.

CSI, 24, and shows like are not only rated mature and if you havent payed attention ALOT of these shows have discretion warnings before EACH AND EVERY EPISODE, they also deal with these situations in every episode or almost every episode. the basic outline here is, know your audience.

[-|loner|-]

well 'ms. peacock' did hit him in the study with the candlestick.

[BoSoxJim]

Originally posted by tec611
most soaps arent rated PG. and most children arent home watching them either. know your audience, smallville does.



Dark Water, House of Wax, The Ring, The Grudge were PG-13 were they not???? I think those movies dealt with far more disturbing images (and were deemed suitable for 13 year olds)

but whatever dude, if it makes you happy, YOU WIN!!!!

[tec611]

okay first, you dont need to get so heated, its just a smallville forum.

secondly, those are all movies. the TV rating system is different and has to follow different rules than that of films. Plus parents can monitor films more than TV, and people are not paying to watch a show. all they have to do is turn on their television and there it is, it requires more sensitivity and tends to be strict on the subject material because of this

[BoSoxJim]

Originally posted by tec611
okay first, you dont need to get so heated, its just a smallville forum.

secondly, those are all movies. the TV rating system is different and has to follow different rules than that of films. Plus parents can monitor films more than TV, and people are not paying to watch a show. all they have to do is turn on their television and there it is, it requires more sensitivity and tends to be strict on the subject material because of this

dude, i'm not heated. i don't even know why i'm continuing this discussion.

i've watched alot of TV in my days and I can tell you I've seen alot worse than what they showed in the ep.

when giving your opinion, it is often wise not to say it is fact (when it is not).

and you completely missed my point. when a parent sees a movie is PG-13 they will assume that it is ok for their 13 year old to view it. whether or not they have more control over their child viewing it is irrelevant to this discussion.

so if those images and situations are ok for a 13 year old to view in a theatre, why isn't is appropriate on tv?

don't bother answering. it's rhetorical and i'm tired.

[tec611]

Originally posted by BoSoxJim
dude, i'm not heated. i don't even know why i'm continuing this discussion.

i've watched alot of TV in my days and I can tell you I've seen alot worse than what they showed in the ep.

when giving your opinion, it is often wise not to say it is fact (when it is not).

and you completely missed my point. when a parent sees a movie is PG-13 they will assume that it is ok for their 13 year old to view it. whether or not they have more control over their child viewing it is irrelevant to this discussion.

so if those images and situations are ok for a 13 year old to view in a theatre, why isn't is appropriate on tv?

don't bother answering. it's rhetorical and i'm tired.

okay well...I AM going to answer if your tired, then you dont have to. deal? sounds good.

actually all the stuff I said about the TV rating system or the Tv vs. film rating system IS fact, I have worked in the business.

I never said there wasnt worse stuff on television then what aired in this episode, my point was YOU HAVE TO KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE, and ive said that a few times. Smallville had the warning because they do.

whether or not a parent has more control over the viewing IS relevant because it is an issue that contributes to why the rating system is different.

the reason why material is 'appropriate' in the films and not on TV is because it is all relative, and it really does come back to the whole parents being able to control yada yada, issue. TV is more accessible than films, and not all parents think just because a film is rated pg-13 that it IS okay for their kids. entertainment studies shows it is the title, main actors and the TRAILERS that actually lead to parents deciding on what their kids can see and NOT the rating believe it or not. Therefore PG-13 or not, alot of parents still see the film before the OK it for their kids. Unless every home has TiVo (and most do not) not every parent can do the same with television. whether you want to know it or not, this DOES play a factor with the rating system and when it is decided when a warning needs to be dished out.

but besides that TV has about twice as many rating levels than films (TV G, PG, PG 13, PG 14, Young Adult, Adult and Mature depending on the station)

and even besides that the episode had disturbing themes to ME (not unwatchable by any means but it made me uncomfortable at points) and why I might be a miniority there, im not the only one either.

its just a discretion warning, not a 'DONT WATCH THIS OR YOU WONT BE ABLE TO SLEEP TONIGHT' warning. It wasnt detremental to its ratings most likely it probably drew more adult or drew back viewers because they were intriqued.

alright you made it clear your tired of talking about it, and im kinda said all I had to anyway. so truce? alright c-ya!

[asparks]

AND THE WINNER IN THE BLUE CORNER!!!! TEC611!!!!

just kidding, why can't we all just be friends.

I thought that because the episode dealt with psychological problems and true life situations, the warning was appropriate.

[shirkie]

Chill, all. The show was just covering its bases from a legal perspective by sticking in a disclaimer. If even ONE person were to go off and hurt or kill themselves and "Smallville" was somehow even slightly implicated, it would be lawsuits galore. It's sad, but true.
shirkie

[muffinpeddler]

Calm down everybody! It didn't have a bit of impact on the episode anyway!

[Lana_Lang #1]

Take it easy guys! Put down your weapons and step away from the torches and pitchforks!

I know you guys like those! :D Don't even pretend you don't :)

[muffinpeddler]

Oh yeah, how did things go with the torches after Reckoning? LOL!

[jimmyolsenblues]

Got to tell you the blood, the shower, the ghost, still did not make up for this episode stinks on ice. Good plot always beats showers, blood and bad ghosty.

[BoSoxJim]

Originally posted by Lana_Lang #1
Take it easy guys! Put down your weapons and step away from the torches and pitchforks!

I know you guys like those! :D Don't even pretend you don't :)

Aw c'mon. That was nothing but a little testosterone flare-up.

We were just having a lively discussion about the the most exciting aspect of the episode. :p

anyway, i prefer the machete to the pitchfork. ;)

[KEakaCK]

That scene with Lois and Chloe tied up and looked like that guy was gonna slice and dice lois was kinda disturbing...Seemed little bit like the movie Hostel. I thing the viewer discretion was appropriate because of the age range of the audience and a 12 y/o watching this episode could get freaked out by that sequence.

[jimmyolsenblues]

I agree that the warning was necessary.
I am saying the content that made the warning, was worthless to the plot.
Do we want good stories or do we want bad B movie scenes?
I mean I went through a stage back in 80s when Halloween and Friday the 13th was cool. But I want to see how Clark Kent became superman.
Not how Crystal Lake is forming in Smallville.

[Lana_Lang #1]

Originally posted by BoSoxJim
Anyway, I prefer the machete to the pitchfork. ;)

Actually you kinda made me nervous reading that.

The torches were okay after Reckoning, and by the way, you torched the wrong house. My cute RCMP officer contact will be at your door in 5 minutes to arrest you for arson.

[jimmyolsenblues]

RCMP - Royal Canadian Mounted Police
I had to look that up , I grew up in Jersey.
You learn something by posting to Kryptonsite.com every time.

[BoSoxJim]

Originally posted by Lana_Lang #1
Actually you kinda made me nervous reading that.

The torches were okay after Reckoning, and by the way, you torched the wrong house. My cute RCMP officer contact will be at your door in 5 minutes to arrest you for arson.

Well, what makes you think I torched the wrong house?

I would love for you to send Dudley Do-Right to Boston. I always wanted to slap that guy silly :D

[MyOwnSuperhero]

You know, with the shower scene, the slit wrists, the creepy ghost chick, the bloody foot prints, the rotting corpse in the wall, the serial killer, the issues of mental illness, the psycho killer dialogue about "the crawly things under your skin", the funky "mother wasn't a good person" stuff, the coerced suicide that almost happened, the final suicide that did happen (even though it wasn't clearly shown), and all the super intense emotional stuff, I think it might be safe to say that the "Viewer Discretion" Advisory was totally warranted.

[LexLuthorMetropolis]

Closed for arguing and self-moderation.