Parents Television Council Files FCC Complaint Against ‘The Mick’

May 3rd, 2017 11:32 AM

It’s an irony the late liberal comic might appreciate. “George Carlin’s infamous comedy routine about the seven words you can’t say on television is still an unofficial guideline the FCC uses to determine whether language is in violation of Federal Indecency laws,” according to Parents Television Council President Tim Winter.

And one of those words – “tit” – appeared on the April 25 episode of Fox’s sitcom The Mick, spurring the PTC to file a formal indecency complaint with the FCC, and ask citizens to do the same.

While using the word “tit” may be an actionable violation of indecency laws, The Mick, which ended its first season May 2, has done arguably a lot worse. It is one of the more debased offerings on TV – which is saying something. The Mick revolves around irresponsible grifter Mackenzie “Mick” Murphy (Kaitlin Olson) who is forced to look after her niece and nephews after her sister is caught on federal fraud charges with her husband. 

So from the outset, the show’s core is confusion, and the distinctly unlikeable characters inhabit a world without any moral center besides a set of liberal social pieties and trendy preoccupations.

Here's PTC video from the episode:

According to PTC:

This week’s episode of The Mick centered on a teenage child, 17-year-old Sabrina, and her desire to get breast implants. The minor tells her guardian that “…you're working the room like you're mayor of tit town.” Not only was an indecent word used in a sexual context, but the dialogue was delivered by a minor.

Winter said that “The network rated the show TV-14, suggesting to parents that the program content was appropriate for children despite that the entire show focused on a teenage girl’s breasts.”

And other episodes focus on equally inappropriate subjects. In a household without right and wrong, the only statements made with authority are liberal propaganda boosting Planned Parenthood and feminist talking points about the historical importance of birth control.

One episode featured two 13-year-old boys in a bathtub anticipating a threesome with an older high school girl who’s gone to get them beer. Although Mickey arrives and takes her nephew away, the scene ends with the suggestion that the older girl and the other 13-year-old are going to have sex anyway.

Elsewhere, the show normalizes gender confusion, letting the seven-year-old nephew have tea parties wearing a dress. “It kind of breezes on my vagina,” he tells his aunt when she compliments the dress. In another episode, the dress-wearing boy has this exchange with Aunt Mickey:

Ben: Yeah. I really like this girl Jennifer. Does that make me a lesbian?

Mickey: You don't have to worry about labels, buddy. Just like who you like.

Ben: Good. 'Cause I also like this kid named Brad from my old school.

Mickey: Sweet. Keep your options open. See you in a bit...

Could you ask for a more shining example of modern liberal virtue? Sexualize ‘em early and ambiguously.

The show’s creators are conscious of how distasteful it all is, and that’s the point. Olson, who plays Mickey, said as much to Yahoo TV.  “I think Fox has let us do an amazing job of doing a network show that really feels like it belongs on cable.”

But it’s not. It’s on a broadcast channel at 8:30 p.m., rated as decent for 14-year-olds to watch.