News

Jan 24, 2012

A pro-decency organization is urging advertisers to stay away from a new NBC show, describing it as the latest "raunchy show" on network television.

Lisa Van Houten, executive assistant with American Decency Association, says her organization is calling on companies to be more responsible and not place their advertising dollars towards the prime-time show called Are You There, Chelsea?, which premiered on NBC on January 11.

"It was originally entitled Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea," she explains, "and the show is incredibly vulgar -- and we're very concerned that the type of material that is aired is certainly inappropriate for the public airways and for families and children."

NBC describes the show's main character, Chelsea, as "an opinionated and unapologetic young woman who lives life to the fullest as a cocktail waitress, friend, daughter, sister and sexually dynamic 'advanced drinker.'" The program includes a recurring role, Sloane, who plays Chelsea's born-again Christian sister -- a role ADA says is there simply as a way to "mock Christianity."

booze alcohol drinkVan Houten laments a new trend she sees on the networks where the leading women, not men, are the ones spouting endless vulgarities and crude dialogue. She points to new shows like 2 Broke Girls (CBS) and Whitney (NBC). But Are You There, Chelsea? is really over the top, says Van Houten.

"It is constant sexual themes and dialogue and promoting irresponsible drinking," says the ADA spokeswoman. "The character in the very first few minutes of the first episode is in jail with a DUI, and drinking and driving is portrayed as laughs instead of the serious issue that it is."

American Decency Association is asking viewers to put pressure on advertisers to stop sponsoring the show, which is produced by Warner Bros. Television.