January 24, 2002

by Lisa Bennett, Communications Director

We decided to put "The Ugly" up front this week because of its highly disturbing content. We hope you'll speak out immediately about this horrible offense to women and men.

The Ugly

"Grand Theft Auto III" (PlayStation 2 video game)

"Ugly" is too kind a word for this product. One of the best-selling video games around right now is "Grand Theft Auto III," an exercise in crime and violence. Although the game is rated for "mature" players only (17 and up), we know for a fact that younger kids are getting their hands on it. Made by Rockstar Games for Sony PlayStation 2, "GTA 3" takes the video game industry a step up technically, but a big step down socially. Game experts and reviewers have applauded the digital depth of "GTA 3," while asking folks to "lighten up" about the violence.

Here's what they think we should lighten up about: In "GTA 3," the player works for the mafia, which involves killing police officers and innocent bystanders, stealing cars, and doing drugs. When the player begins to lose his health (let's face it, this game is designed for males), he can pick up a prostitute on the street and have sex with her, as indicated by a bouncing car. As a result, the player's health increases, but his funds decrease. Once the hooker exits the car, if the player wants his money back, he can dash after her, beat her to death and recover his cash. People who have played the game say that the bloody beating is done with a baseball bat that you can feel in your hands through the PlayStation controller.

As video games become more realistic, and the players gain more control over the situations, one has to ask whether we aren't "training" kids in violence, as has been suggested by medical professionals and military leaders. Some say the game is just a fantasy. But how many young men fantasized about beating a hooker to death before a video game suggested the idea?

Even if violent games like "GTA 3" don't directly affect our behavior, if the games are just an escape, what does that say about how we escape? Is this our definition of "fun" now? Is this how we "play"?

Please contact Rockstar Games and their owner, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., as well as the maker of PlayStation 2, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., and ask them to immediately withdraw Grand Theft Auto III from store shelves and discontinue selling and marketing this "game" which encourages violence and the degradation of women. Take action now by clicking here.

The Good

"The Ellen Show" (CBS, airs Friday at 8:30 p.m.)

Hurry and watch this show before CBS gives up on it! CBS has already moved "The Ellen Show" around on its schedule. Less than stellar ratings (what does the network expect for a Friday night show?) could mean the end of the series. CBS has seemed willing to give the show a chance, particularly after Ellen DeGeneres did such a great job hosting the Emmy Awards on the network in November, but who knows how long the big wigs will hold on?

"The Ellen Show" isn't a political firecracker like her last sitcom; in fact, it's a sorta sweet family show set in a small town. Again, DeGeneres plays a lesbian character, which is part of her identity, but not the show's main focus. In a recent episode, Ellen decides to take herself out for a fancy dinner at a restaurant that is — hilariously — unable to deal with a woman dining alone. When it turns out that her sister is seeing Ellen's old high school boyfriend, the three begin going out on "dates" together in a cute and not-at-all-icky twist. It's also nice to see actors Cloris Leachman and Martin Mull back on TV. "The Ellen Show" is a pleasant and funny way to spend a half-hour on Friday night, and you can squeeze it in before you go out for the evening. Please encourage CBS to give the series a fighting chance. Click here to send a message to CBS brass.

The Bad

The 59th Annual Golden Globe Awards (NBC, aired on Jan. 20)

There's really no one to slam for the Golden Globe Awards except our culture itself. In a year when women and men of color — Halle Berry, Will Smith and Denzel Washington — played challenging roles and delivered some of the best movie performances, they still turned up winless at this admittedly lightweight awards show. The trophy presentations resulted in a sea of white, mostly young, actors taking the stage. Among the TV categories, not a single African American actor, female or male, was even nominated. Clearly, Hollywood has a long way to go in offering quality parts to people of color. If it's any consolation, the award for best actress in a drama went to Sissy Spacek, who excelled in the film "In the Bedroom" in one of the year's few significant film roles for mature women.

As at any awards gala, a celebrity's physical appearance is treated as paramount — especially for the women. Men still have it easy with tuxes and simple suits, while the women are apparently expected to compete in categories like "best body," "most outrageous dress" and "most visible skin." A few elegant exceptions pulled through, like Debra Messing from TV's "Will & Grace," Jennifer Connelly from the film "A Beautiful Mind," and Cameron Diaz, who proved that you can be bold without being nearly naked.

But the demanding spotlight always results in some unfortunate choices. Sarah Jessica Parker's look said "baby doll" more than acclaimed actor. And Sela Ward, a classy 40-something actor, had on a flouncy, belly-baring gown decked with bows that would have been more suitable as a prom dress. In what has become a new tradition, Andie MacDowell and Kate Hudson arrived in dresses split down to their navels, no doubt glued to their precariously positioned breasts.

The fashion industry has been pushing revealing clothes on young women, and girlish clothes on adult women, for years now. While women make great professional strides, the disparity between how we "look" at women and how we look at men is greater than ever.

Click here to speak your mind by writing a letter to anyone in the media. And if have your own media praises and gripes — about TV, movies, radio, magazines, newspapers or the web — send them to communications@now.org and you just might find your suggestions and thoughts in future columns.

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