Apple Wants to Produce Comedies and Dramas That Are Viewer Friendly Enough for Apple Stores

[VMMan]

Apple used to be associated with innovation, but now seems to want to be known as a “safe” choice.

A perfect target for the next generation’s Steve Jobs to utterly destroy.

 

[TsMkLg068426]

So basically PG-13 movies for the lazy parents who use Netflix or other streaming service to do their jobs, nice.
[doublepost=1509011575][/doublepost]

Doesn't bug me. Too many shows have started using violence, sex, and nudity purely because they can. Think of how many episodes of Game of Thrones have characters delivering exposition with sex in the back ground or while having sex, purely because they could. It adds almost nothing to the actual show aside from saying it's there.

Having to work around nudity, sex, and gore has resulted in loads of endlessly creative solutions that have for now been abandoned on TV just because they can.

Are you sure about that because Batman vs. Superman was terrible compared to R-rated cut or how about Die Hard even Robocop reboot. Sorry but that is false the plot is still good as the sex and violence if you worry about your kids that is your fault.

 

[Lesser Evets]

‘My cool neighbor, Moloch”, “This globalist family”, “Big gay show”, “Baby’s first blunt”...

Expect it.

 

[AdonisSMU]

Everything needs to be on the table. One thing is for sure ...no matter what you do people will be offended. Apple should worry less about that and more about putting out great shoes. People don't watch shows simply because of the sex and violence. They watch the shows they do because they are good shows.Trying to strip out everything that might be offensive generally means you aren't allowing yourself to be as creative as you otherwise would've been if all options are on the table.
[doublepost=1509014910][/doublepost]

Apple used to be associated with innovation, but now seems to want to be known as a “safe” choice.

A perfect target for the next generation’s Steve Jobs to utterly destroy.

I mean literally. Sometimes being offensive is good.

 

[jstorm01]

So...... what’s up with all these companies trying to be like Netflix now ? It’s starting to get ridiculous !

 

[Raketemensch]

Well, now we at least know the moment we can look back to when Apple eventually pulls the plug on this ridiculousness.

Like the world needs another ABC/CBS/NBC....

 

[erinsarah]

Oh good, everyone loves bland, inoffensive shows.

While for the most part I completely agree with your sarcasm, there IS something to be said for having more “family friendly” options out there. Latest example of failure in this regard...I have a wife and two teenage daughters. Latest fun show to watch is Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (don’t mock me until you’ve seen the Jap Rap episode). The show is about 90% fine for families but every once in a while an uncomfortable scene comes up, such as the latest ep where a coworker begins discussing the G spot. Now THAT’S something a dad wants to see with his 14-year-old daughter...

 

[Steve121178]

The show is about 90% fine for families but every once in a while an uncomfortable scene comes up, such as the latest ep where a coworker begins discussing the G spot. Now THAT’S something a dad wants to see with his 14-year-old daughter...

It's something his 14 year old daughter wants to watch without her dad being present.

Family friendly shows are almost always tame garbage. I thought that's why Disney existed to serve up American-centric inoffensive mindless crap.

 

[5105973]

Or perhaps instead of banning things you don’t like you can just not watch the show? See how easy that was?

Well instead of complaining about the family friendly shows Apple plans to offer, people can just go back to all the other endless sources of their violent gory explicit content. See how easy that is?

It always escaped me why gratuitous violence and gore and sex was considered “adult” and “mature”. Like I need my face rubbed in ugliness all the time to feel mature? Nah. I grew up the daughter of a war refugee. I’ve heard enough real life stories of death, mutilation, rape, starvation—all forms of real inhumanity and suffering inflicted on people I love and treasure— and escaped being an SVU type victim as a preschooler myself, to NOT consider such things entertaining when served up to me in fictional form, especially not as graphic and realistic as the entertainment industry does it now.

Apple isn’t banning anything so much as defining what their content will be. They are offering an alternative for those of us who have certain milder tastes that are not being catered to by the current offerings at large.

My husband likes science fiction and fantasy so he tuned into “Game of Thrones”. But quickly tuned right out because he just doesn’t find stories flaunting rape and castration particularly entertaining. There was a time most people would not have liked seeing that sort of thing beamed into their homes. The fact that people now not only tolerate it but expect or demand it saddens me. Worse, people belittle other people who have milder tastes instead of just exercising the tolerance they demand of the rest of us for their tastes.

 

[Hater]

So they want to produce comedies that aren't remotely funny? <canned laughter>

Well, makes sense. They are an American company, after all. <canned laughter>

 

[2010mini]

Stop trying to impose what you deem family friendly means.
The ratings tell you right there what should be Family Friendly.

That does not mean family friendly. It just means exactly what your stated : Less in your face

I don't disagree that there are some tamer PG-13 movies.


Yep, that same principal can be applied to any original content Apple provides, whether it PG, PG-13 or R.
No need for Apple to go all Bambi

Here's some research and since it's PG-13 it should be Family Friendly?

Mission Impossible, PG-13
In the opening credits, we see a knife being pulled out of a man's bloody gut. (See paragraph 6 for more details)

• Jack, while trying to control the elevator's procedures, is stabbed in the eye with elevator equipment. We see the equipment go in the eye and then cutting away to Ethan and Sarah but gory sound effects are heard after. This is the most graphic and intense scene in the movie, and it might disturb/disgust some viewers. But because of the elevator going up all the way to a detailed floor, we can imply that after he is impaled through the eye, he is crushed. However, we only know that he is dead, hence why the film probably got a PG-13 rating for intense violence.
• Claire gets into her car, and then the car explodes. No possible explanation of what happens after that, but we hear that she dies.
• Jim apparently during the mission is shot, and on IMF camera equipment, we see his hands full of blood, and falls off of the bridge, and into the water. We later learn that he faked his death.
• Ethan throws an explosive disguised as gum onto a fish tank; It shatters and the whole building is flooded, with him jumping out just in time. No reported casualties.
• (Continued from paragraph 1) The target of Ethan's mission is seen being stabbed to death, you see some blood on the gate. Later, we see one of Ethan's recruits is actually the one who killed him, with the stabbing clearly seen. Ethan searches the man, we see blood on his clothes. Sarah is also found dead, we see no blood on her, but we see the knife used held up by Ethan, with blood on it and possibly little bits of gore.
• Ethan contacts the IMF, with blood still on his hands, at a public telephone. He wipes off the blood with a napkin.
• A man holds out his bloody hands at another man, walking slowly towards him.
• Ethan grabs Claire and searches her.
• A man shoots a woman and she dies. He then hits another man in the head and he is dazed.
• A helicopter is blown up and crashes in a tunnel; A man that was holding on to the helicopter is smashed against the train tracks (this is only briefly seen).

Impose????

Audiences are the ones who have made the determination that PG and PG13 are the new family friendly. As evidenced by how many parents take their kids to those movies.

 

[mmm1345]

It's something his 14 year old daughter wants to watch without her dad being present.

Family friendly shows are almost always tame garbage. I thought that's why Disney existed to serve up American-centric inoffensive mindless crap.

and then god forbid the show has one moment when they discuss a G Spot, then Oh no, the world is going to fall apart and these idiot parents who thinks their kids are too stupid to know what a G Spot is, has a melt down.

 

[5105973]

It's something his 14 year old daughter wants to watch without her dad being present.

Family friendly shows are almost always tame garbage. I thought that's why Disney existed to serve up American-centric inoffensive mindless crap.

Why do you feel the need to belittle something in such harsh terms just because it’s not to your tastes? Why limit people with milder tastes to just Disney when people with stronger tastes have so many avenues open to them? Why disrespect things you don’t personally like? Maybe the violent more “realistic” programs you like are having a negative effect on you after all and leaving you more intolerant than the people and tastes you’re belittling?

Im curious if Tim and Apple realized the irony when they publicly stand behind Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Expression, all while practicing censorship in the Apple Store.

So, is a channel practicing censorship when it offers only the “mature” content and not the family friendly stuff?

 

[vipergts2207]

“They don’t have content with naughty words? Nooooo”

My god people. There’s a world outside of tv ma that has good quality content as well. Just because it’s not mature content, doesn’t mean it’ll be bland or uninteresting. Lots of stuff I like to watch is kid friendly. Myth busters, dirty jobs, lots of discovery and sci fi channel stuff.

I don't disagree with your sentiment, but none of the shows or channels you mentioned are exactly quality TV. You would have been right on the money had you mentioned something like Stranger Things.

 

[5105973]

Easy answer:
They want "safe zones" created for them so they don't have to do any parental work.
Sit them down in front of Disney or Nickelodeon while they go about their business.

Nonsense. Plenty of adults like myself want a nice engaging show where things do happen but the camera doesn’t necessarily have to depict them in long scenes of dismemberment, copulation, characters attending to bathroom needs and all the other “edgy” things that I find tedious if I have to sit there and watch it.

 

[Ghost31]

I don't disagree with your sentiment, but none of the shows or channels you mentioned are exactly quality TV. You would have been right on the money had you mentioned something like Stranger Things.

Ok. Stranger things

 

[5105973]

and then god forbid the show has one moment when they discuss a G Spot, then Oh no, the world is going to fall apart and these idiot parents who thinks their kids are too stupid to know what a G Spot is, has a melt down.

It’s not that we think our kids don’t know certain things. It’s just uncomfortable for kids and parents to share a moment like that. Neither teenagers nor adults really want to sit there and acknowledge what goes on in each other’s sex lives after we’ve had the initial necessary talks about birth control, stds and so forth, which is actually probably more uncomfortable for the kids than the parents. I’m pretty down to earth and at ease discussing such things because it’s necessary and I don’t shirk from my responsibilities. I think it’s the teens who would prefer to think their parents don’t know about or ever engage in sex. And that’s understandable. Parents having sex is a thought that always makes kids shudder. Eww. Gross. “Old people sex”. Because kids think even parents who are only in their 30’s are old. It’s all a matter of perspective.

So it would be kind of nice to have more avenues that provide shows where parents and their older children can sit down together and not have as many cringeworthy references shoved at us. There are so many other kinds of humor besides sexual humor or graphic sexual humor, but you almost wouldn’t know it from seeing what’s so prevalent.

I really don’t understand why some people are so utterly angry about this. Dismayed, perhaps. Disappointed, sure, that is reasonable. But to be angry because one company has decided to define the kind of content it wants to offer, which could still contain dramatic and comedic quality, that’s a reaction that defies my understanding. I don’t foam at the mouth that shows like American Horror Story, GoT, Walking Dead are offered. I don’t tune in, but I don’t begrudge the existence of these shows or disparage them as insulting average human intelligence the way people on this thread are doing with the kind of milder content I prefer. People can still get their edgy content, just not from Apple. If this proves a marketing failure for Apple, they will end it and that will be that. No biggie.

 

[lowendlinux]

I'd like to see a reboot of shows like Seinfeld

 

[5105973]

I'd like to see a reboot of shows like Seinfeld

I missed most of Seinfeld so at some point I will try to catch the original.

I miss Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It could be plenty sexy and once even a bit racy without resorting to nudity and there was definitely violence, but mostly there were just engaging characters, enjoyable banter and engrossing stories.

 

[SDJim]

Good for Apple. Sick of having to stop watching Netflix originals halfway through the first episode because of the smut they inject into everything they produce.

 

[gavroche]

So, is a channel practicing censorship when it offers only the “mature” content and not the family friendly stuff?

Thats not whats happening here. If it was just Apple choosing to only produce content that is family friendly, thats not an issue. But they are going a lot further than that. They are actively preventing OTHER companies and individuals from creating and putting mature content out on the App Store. And its a walled garden, so unless you Jailbreak, its pretty effective prevention. If Apple decided to only allow books in iBooks with which it agreed with the content, would you think that is censorship or not?
Your question does not make sense because Apple is not just a Channel, or one content producer. They are a gateway through which all the other Channels and content producers must pass through. They are deciding what gets through and what does not. I sincerely hope you can realize what a different animal that is.
[doublepost=1509035332][/doublepost]

Nonsense. Plenty of adults like myself want a nice engaging show where things do happen but the camera doesn’t necessarily have to depict them in long scenes of dismemberment, copulation, characters attending to bathroom needs and all the other “edgy” things that I find tedious if I have to sit there and watch it.

How nice that you have decided what type of content you prefer and like to watch, so you are okay with forcing that as the only option on others. What would be most frustrating would be that if one year from now they changed course and decided to only have the content you DIDNT like, you would suddenly start screaming about how unfair that is to ban the content you DID want.

 

[rGiskard]

"Viewer friendly" sounds like writing and production will involve lots of polls and focus groups.

They'll be nice films and shows with high profit margins. Good for the viewing pleasure of average Americans.

<runs to bathroom to vomit>

 

[5105973]

Thats not whats happening here. If it was just Apple choosing to only produce content that is family friendly, thats not an issue. But they are going a lot further than that. They are actively preventing OTHER companies and individuals from creating and putting mature content out on the App Store. And its a walled garden, so unless you Jailbreak, its pretty effective prevention. If Apple decided to only allow books in iBooks with which it agreed with the content, would you think that is censorship or not?
Your question does not make sense because Apple is not just a Channel, or one content producer. They are a gateway through which all the other Channels and content producers must pass through. They are deciding what gets through and what does not. I sincerely hope you can realize what a different animal that is.
[doublepost=1509035332][/doublepost]

How nice that you have decided what type of content you prefer and like to watch, so you are okay with forcing that as the only option on others. What would be most frustrating would be that if one year from now they changed course and decided to only have the content you DIDNT like, you would suddenly start screaming about how unfair that is to ban the content you DID want.

I understand what you are saying, but I don’t see it as censorship because they are not preventing authors and movie producers from creating certain content, they are simply defining the parameters for the content they want to offer. Those authors and producers can still offer their works through other avenues and customers can also avail themselves of those avenues. I understand the walled garden is restrictive. That’s why I also have other platforms for other options. Not edgy content because that’s obviously not my thing, but for other things.

If Apple changed and offered only the content I do not like, I wouldn’t say a thing. For example I’m not particularly thrilled that Jimmy Iovine has been quoted bragging about plans to promote R. Kelley on Apple Music. I will comment what I think of that in the appropriate discussions, but I’ve hardly screamed and wished for Apple Music to fail based on the direction I perceive Jimmy Iovine wants to take Apple Music in.

Even regular networks like CBS started airing and promoting programs that were too dark and violent for my tastes. I didn’t scream or even complain about that, either. I just stopped watching tv. It was a gradual process as I realized most of the programs I came across were good, but contained scenes I didn’t want to see. I got tired of leaving the room or diving for the remote. I started tuning out because it was getting harder to find what I like. I do like shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer so it’s not like I’m searching for the Mary Tyler Moore Show all over again. I just want to find good dramas that don’t surprise me with a sudden segue into a graphic nude sex scene. It is no big deal that I’ve stopped watching TV. There are other things to enjoy in life.

Anyway I was excited to see there was going to be one source of programs where it was likely most of what I would buy would not unduly disturb me. I hope nobody mocks me for that. I am as I am for reasons just as others are the way they are for their own reasons. I don’t unduly judge people who prefer edgier work. Unless they get nasty about it, and then I question what has contributed to their aggressive disposition. You’ve been very polite and restrained and kept it classy and I appreciate that. Thank you.

 

[rGiskard]

Good for Apple. Sick of having to stop watching Netflix originals halfway through the first episode because of the smut they inject into everything they produce.

You know, there are sites that rate shows by sexual content. They're aimed at parents who wish to protect their kiddies but they'll help you and your wife/gf avoid any uncomfortable situations. Assuming avatar is you showing off your hot woman. Way to go, man, you scored big time! <internet high five>

 

[5105973]

It is interesting that some of us seem to have felt the need to explain why we don’t want to watch graphic content or scenes, but I haven’t really heard from anyone explaining what they get out of watching a graphic depiction of sex or worse, sexual violence, maiming, mutilation, detailed depiction of murder, storylines centered around human suffering, or comedy that demeans or alludes to sex in an explicit way. Do these things enhance the storylines that much? Is all of it necessary to be shown and watched for the story to be compelling? Is suffering entertaining?

I once read mention on one of the entertainment news bits that an actress, Riley Keough, I believe, was doing a scene in which her character utilizes a feminine hygiene product. I don’t mind saying what it was, but I’m not sure it’s okay to spell it out on this forum. Anyway, what does a scene like that really add? It’s gritty reality I suppose, but what place does that have in mainstream entertainment? There is probably porn that depicts stuff like that better.

If we want shows to be so realistic then let’s have ones that depict all the hours of our lives human beings while away waiting in queues. Or reading on the toilet. Or posting on MR. lol, and with that I’ll go and start on the fixings for tonight’s dinner. Gritty reality: mediocre cook cuts vegetables and mixes sauces while her feet ache.