It’s not too often that an f-bomb slips by the censors during a primetime network television presentation. That’s why Eminem’s performance at the Grammys last night got me thinking about the comparative freedom of Internet/Satellite radio as compared to syndicated TV.
Another example of big TV’s heavy-handed control came a few weeks ago with the dismissal of Keith Olbermann from his wildly successful show, “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” on MSNBC. Both Eminem and Olbermann appeal to people because of their rebelliousness toward their parents–i.e. the network/production bigwigs. They’re polarizing figures who people tend to either love or hate, which also makes them bonafied artists.
By contrast, Internet and satellite radio offers broadcasters endless freedom. For example, “The Jerk Box” is a radio show where a woman offers live sex talk to her callers and airs it live, for all subscribers to hear. There’s no meddling authority telling anyone to clean up their language, so the only judgement satellite broadcasters face is from society itself. I think that’s pretty much Killin’ It! After all, what’s more worthwhile, to rebel against your sophomore English teacher or the whole system of education? If the symbolic rebels of the TV era are left without enemies on the unregulated internet, the rebels we look to will have to be real ones, and might just end up being ourselves. Killin’ It!
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