TV's "Family Hour" Marked by Sex, Violence

Survey prompts British channel to cut back on racy content, swearing

(NEWSER) - Responding to viewers’ concerns, the BBC will no longer give free rein to potentially offensive material after 9pm, the Telegraph reports. A network survey of 2,700 people age 11 and up found that its audience, especially older viewers, is unhappy with the content. Now, foul language may be subject to “bleeping out” after 9, and shows throughout the day will have content warnings. More»

Scientists finds cluster of brain cells in mice

(NEWSER) - The same section of the brain may process both sexual and violent urges, a new study suggests. In experiments on mice, scientists discovered a tiny cluster of cells in the hypothalamus that flared to life both while the mice were fighting and while they were having sex, Scientific American explains. The researchers suspect humans have a similar cluster of cells. More»

'Fresh Air' and Terry Gross booted in Mississippi

(NEWSER) - Mississippi Public Broadcasting dumped the popular NPR show “Fresh Air” and its host Terry Gross on Monday, citing “recurring inappropriate content.” Speculation ran wild that the inappropriate content might be political, or related to its recent gay rights interviews. But, nope, it turns out it was an interview with Louis CK, in which he talked about having sex with his shirt on, the Rachel Maddow Show’s blog reports. More»

Maybe your embarrassing parents can help you land a TV deal

(NEWSER) - Easter and Passover are coming up, which means more embarrassing incidents at family get-together, plus a silver lining: You could potentially score a book deal. Chris Mathias, writing for Nerve , lists five blogs based on “familial eccentricities” that have scored their creators some cash—or at least some popularity:

• Shit My Dad Says : Moving back in with your parents doesn’t suck so bad when your 73-year-old father’s hilarious utterings end up getting you a TV show—starring William Shatner, no less.
• Tiny Art Director : An artist’s 5-year-old daughter offers harsh critiques of his work, often involving the addition of dinosaurs or dragons. The book will be out soon.

Urges local affiliates to preempt the program

(NEWSER) - The Parents Television Council is on the warpath, this time over news that the upcoming episode of Gossip Girl will feature a threesome. The group has sent a letter to CW affiliates warning that they’ll be “complicit in establishing a precedent and expectation that teenagers should engage in behaviors heretofore associated primarily with adult films,” unless they pre-empt the program. More»