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From Content Warnings to Trigger Warnings
They ARE for the weak
In the world of audio drama, many creators opt to have content warnings on their episodes. I thought I’d discuss this trend and give my two cents why I simply won’t do it.
Since the 1930s, movies have been independently rated by the Motion Picture Association (check out my Mad Facts “The Lost Years of Horror” for more on that) So we’re all familiar with the ratings G (General Audiences), PG (Parental Guidance), and R (Restricted). Then the addition of PG-13, X and NC-17. Okay. But what does that have to do with “content warnings”? Content warnings were linked to those original ratings. The MPA would include a notice as to why that movie received the rating it did. Language, Sexual Content, Violence and so on. Basic sweeping categories meant to warn audiences of what to expect. This was only for films. Radio and television broadcasts, because they were available through public airwaves, were regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). That agency drew strict lines of what content could and could not be broadcast. Then came F/X.
I had the privilege of taking a class in grad school at UCLA taught by Peter Ligouri. He had just stepped down from the head of FOX Studios. And when it comes to content warnings, he can be credited as the first to make it a part of television. Historically, FOX’s “X-Files” broadcast an episode, “Home,” in the late 90s which received a parental guidance warning. But that was a one-time event. Under Ligouri’s reign (early 2000s) the new show “The Shield” was going to hit cable network television. The gritty police drama promised to be the most graphic and violent series available on a non-pay cable network. His first step was to slot the show late at night, presumably after the kiddies were in bed, but Ligouri took a second step to avoid impending backlash to the strong content. He had a “viewer discretion is advised” card before the opening of the show, as well as before returning from all commercial breaks. It saved him in liability, but also actually boosted his viewership! Everyone wanted to know what this show contained that it required such a warning! So they watched. And the “TV” content warning was born.
Cut to: Netflix streaming. Netflix also implemented content warnings in an attempt to avoid backlash from angry mothers. When the company went from ordered and mailed DVDs to streaming, suddenly their entire library was available to all of their subscribers. Worried parents may object to their kids tuning in to content on this open streaming service, Netflix started putting very specific content warnings on every title they streamed. It was no longer just “language” or “sexual content” it went more specific. “Smoking,” “Disturbing Images,” “Self-Harm,” and “Sexual Violence References” to name a few. These are not “content” warnings anymore. They evolved into “trigger warnings.” And they now overwhelming invade audio dramas as the children who grew up with Netflix streaming have grown into adults who demand a trigger warning for any content they consume.
Why am I discussing this? Because I entered “Madison on the Air” in the Atlanta Fringe Festival. (Thank you if you supported us and listened!) However, when I went to listen to my content, I was appalled that the organizers of the event put a content warning on my work. On “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Let’s break that down, shall we? The beloved film that aired without censorship of any of the scenes on network television for decades, that in my case was a radio play in the 1940s broadcast without alteration for the FCC even then, now needed the audience to be “warned” of the content. “Mature audience warning: this show may contain harsh language, violence, gore or sexual themes. It may not be suitable for all audiences.”
Yes. I do not make Madison for G-rating, general audiences. Not for kids. But violence? Gore? And while Madison can have a little spicer language and sexual innuendos from time to time, I have actively made a point not to go outside the “network-safe” language. In this episode she merely says “cock block” and “don’t be a dick.” Which, guess what? Are all acceptable by the FCC on broadcast television/radio. So what about the actual original story? Gower smacks young George (violence!), George shakes Mary and yells at his family (domestic violence!) “Self-harm” yeah. The whole movie is Clarence preparing to save George from committing suicide, so it’s mentioned a lot. And gore…? Because there are angels and Heaven as part of the plot? Okay, maybe the festival organizers just slapped a basic “cover our asses” warning on all of their content not for children, but what I mean to point out in this breakdown is that even the most beloved Christmas movie can get a barrage of “trigger warnings” on it, making the family film out to be some sort of 1980’s horror/slasher flick.
So, no. I will not be putting content or “trigger” warnings on any of my episodes. I don’t want to be a “old person” shaking my head at the young “snowflakes” but give me a break. In my lifetime of viewing entertainment, if there was something in a show that bothered me (I’m a “don’t let the animal die” type) I turn it off. I don’t need to hold the creators responsible for guessing what may or may not “trigger” any random person. And it really does boil down to each individual person’s unique life experiences. I saw an entire thread on the audio drama subreddit about how there should be a content warning if a character vomits. This person gave several heartfelt paragraphs of how she, personally, is affected by hearing that sound. The thread then was response after response telling her how brave she was and how yes, 100%, every creator MUST put a “vomit warning” on their show.
So where does it stop? Creators simply can’t predict everything what may “trigger” an audience member. Audience members need to take responsibility for their own personal listening preferences. And if my show triggers people, when it’s adaptations of 70+ year old material satirized to make you laugh? Then do what I’d say, is turn it off. This isn’t the show for you.
