Vulgarians at the Gate: Trash TV and Raunch Radio--Raising the Standards of Popular Culture [Hardcover]

Steve Allen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2001

Do you know what your kids are watching on TV or hearing on the radio? While channel surfing, they may come across an episode of Ally McBeal, in which Ally has anonymous sex in a car wash; the cartoon series "South Park", in which one of the characters is a talking piece of excrement; the public airing of dirty laundry on "The Jerry Springer Show"; the inane, obscene rantings of Howard Stern; or the glorified violence that seems to be the staple of every primetime action show.As a key player in the creative excellence that made TV's Golden Age so memorable, Steve Allen is disgusted and outraged by what he sees on television today. Though he's quick to applaud the few good shows now on TV, he is dismayed that these small islands of quality are almost lost in the sea of mediocrity and outright vulgarity that characterises current television fare. Whereas talent and quality were the benchmarks of the early years of television and radio, pandering to the lowest common denominator in pursuit of advertising dollars and audience share is the main focus of today's programmers and performers.More disturbing than the issue of artistic quality is the effect that such low cultural standards are having on our children. Every day America's youth is being exposed to hideously inappropriate speech and behaviour by role models in TV, film, radio, and the music industry. Concern about this crass promotion of sexuality and violence to children is not just an obsession of the religious right. A growing number of people in the entertainment industry, as well as citizens from all walks of life, are disturbed by the coarsening of American entertainment with its glorification of violence and casual, no-consequences sex. To fight this slide toward Gomorrah a campaign called "The Parents Television Council" has been launched, the goal of which is to improve the quality of television and all other facets of the entertainment industry.As honorary chairman, Steve Allen describes not only what the council is doing to raise our cultural standards, but more importantly what all concerned citizens can do to help. Allen argues against complacency; adults may ignore the content of television programming and other entertainment, but children are certainly paying attention and imbibing the not-so-subtle violent and sexually charged messages. The question, says Allen, is: What kind of a society will we bequeath to our children, one dominated by media conglomerates that push anything for a quick buck, or one that reflects the highest standards of our heritage? It's up to us to do something about it., to raise a chorus of protest that echoes the words of the TV anchorman from Network, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At the forefront of television's Golden Age in the 1950s, Allen reigned for decades as a top TV comedian. However, his serious side has always been evident in his 54 books from his autobiographical Mark It and Strike It (1960) to Ripoff: The Corruption That Plagues America (1979). In recent years, Allen became increasingly disturbed by the entertainment industry's declining cultural standards and "the general ugliness and immorality of much of popular culture." He made his position clear in letters, lectures and articles and by serving as the honorary chairman of the 600,000-member Parents Television Council. Here, he conducts an "admittedly unscientific study of modern television programming," yet offers an array of statistics, survey findings and clippings to back up his assertions targeting TV writers, programmers, performers, network executives and corporate giants. Tracing a pattern of denial, he moves on to "late night raunch," public-access channels ("actual pornography of the most explicit sort"), "family-friendly" sponsors responsible for sending prime-time "depravity into the home" and violence in children's programming. At the core of the book are lengthy attacks on Madonna, Howard Stern, Jerry Springer and rap music. Dismissing "the suggestion that networks can police themselves," he concludes by surveying such solutions as letters, picketing, boycotts and religion. An appendix lists 21 key organizations. (Apr. 15)Forecast: Allen undoubtedly would have promoted this book had he lived to see it published (he died last October at age 78). Still, his name and credibility will attract attention. Current controversies on media sex and violence could put this title in the spotlight, and word-of-mouth among members of conservative organizations like the Dove Foundation will fuel sales.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"...Allen brings a fine sense of outrage to the subject." -- The New York Times, August 25, 2001

"...a nice companion piece to Allen's bestseller, DUMBTH..." -- Orlando Sentinel, June 10, 2001

"...articulate indictment of the entertainment industry...he encourages Americans to let their voices be heard...and to be proactive" -- Christianity Today, July 9, 2001

"...one can't deny his central theme that there has been an erosion in the standards of popular entertainment." -- San Diego Union Tribune, December 21, 2001

"A survival manual for adults trying to cope with the media's saturation bombing of their children with images and words of violence and sex." -- The Buffalo News, Sunday, April 15, 2001

"You may not agree with him--but you must admit his arguments are well-reasoned and entirely thought-provoking." -- Bookloons.com

Product Details

• Hardcover: 419 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books; First Edition edition (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573928747
• ISBN-13: 978-1573928748
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,392,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hollywood insider unmasks sleeze and offers sanity., July 3, 2001

By 

Douglas Groothuis "Douglas Groothuis" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Vulgarians at the Gate: Trash TV and Raunch Radio--Raising the Standards of Popular Culture (Hardcover)

Steve Allen was one of the last bright and articulate Hollywood personalities. Any... complaint to this effect is greeted by mindless intonations of "censorship".... Censorship means governmental restrictions of speech. Allen does not advocate this. He argues for discernment and reasoned action. After surveying the decline of culture--as evidenced by obscenity, indecency, and outright stupidity everywhere--Allen calls for a return to clean, creative, and interesting art.

Allen argues from common sense and not explicitly from religious ideals. (He take a few unwarranted pot shots at religion, but I'll let that go, given the importance of his book. The overall tone is not hostile to faith.) He advises those concerned about the rottenness and perversion of culture to demand something better.

This is mere sanity. Culture counts. Art is not morally neutral. It affects people for good or evil. Those who listen to Marilyn Manson, for instance, imbibe his ugliness, hate, and horror. (He named himself after Charles Manson and Marilyn Monroe.)

I was particularly struck by two of Allen's comments.

1. Civilization is fragile (p. 281). It requires an ethical core that is eroding.... More and more of culture is becoming "an occasion to sin" (p. 107)...Allen has many insider insights that make for interesting reading. However, he needed a more active editor. The book is somewhat repetitive and could have been shorter. ...Mr. Allen, we will miss you. I don't expect to find anyone like you in Hollywood in near future, and for that we will be poorer.

--Douglas Groothuis

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book took courage, July 5, 2001

By 

E. Michael Lawrence (Warrenton, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vulgarians at the Gate: Trash TV and Raunch Radio--Raising the Standards of Popular Culture (Hardcover)

I think Steve Allen made an absolutely convincing case in "Vulgarians at the Gate" that American culture has been measurably coarsened in recent years -- and that TV is the most powerful medium in establishing the new, oh-so-low standards as the norm among children. All you have to do is watch a little TV to see how obviously right Steve Allen was. But one thing about this book is not so obvious: the COURAGE that Steve Allen showed in speaking his mind. He had to know that in the close-knit Hollywood community, which is so intolerant of criticism, his career would be hurt by the stand he took. How many other stars of Steve Allen's magnitude have uttered even one word of caution about the sweeping away of moral standards in the media that have made them fabulously wealthy? Steve Allen stood virtually alone. That took a lot of guts, and parents and grandparents owe him a debt of gratitude for the courage he displayed.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks Steve - for everything........, June 29, 2001

By 

Bill Saracino (Glendale, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vulgarians at the Gate: Trash TV and Raunch Radio--Raising the Standards of Popular Culture (Hardcover)

I grew up watching Steve Allen on the tube in L.A. Those were his early years, and he provided a lot of laughs and comic routines that in time became classics.

Only later did I learn more about his career, the successful songwriter and true renaissance man. This book is a fitting postscript to his career, which contributed immensely to improving American culture.

The title says it all - we do, indeed, have "vulgarians" at the gate. Allen managed to make the world laugh - without once stepping into the gutter. Movies and television in the past entertained and moved millions - without stepping into the gutter. Steve Allen has the nerve to point this out - to say out loud that the "emperor" of modern entertainment really has no clothes. For this he is being posthumously pilloried by folks who don't like the obvious being pointed out.

That's too bad, as Steve Allen raises many serious points, worthy of serious thought - not knee-jerk hostility. I found the book intriguing and thought provoking. His basic message is that it is up to us as individuals to accept the responsibility for what passes as "entertainment", and that if we are unhappy with what we see - take action. That formula is as American as apple pie - as was the author.

So one final time - thanks Steve. Thanks for making me laugh as a teenager staying up later than I should just to watch you. Thanks for the wonderful songs that we still hum. Thanks for the books that have made us think. And thanks for being willing, right to the end, to stand up for what you believe.