Why don't they ever show dead kids on t.v?

Question

On shows like CSI or Cold Case etc... they show dead adult victims but they never show the dead body if its a kid. Is there a legal reason?

im not into gore or anything, i was just curious jeesh...

Answer 1

I think they do. I remember an episode of CSI where there was a baby in a car seat that had been left in a hot car and the parents had left it there on purpose to kill it because they thought it may have had a genetic disorder (if you remember that one). I think it is a very sensitive subject that many people don't really want to see. I also remember another episode of CSI where a parent had taken a young child and buried it outback after another one of their children smothered it with a oven mitt. They showed that child too when they found it.

You are right though, they don't show it too often. It's a very sensitive subject and I don't think they want society to get desensitized to dead children on tv as we have to dead adults.

A couple of my soap operas have also had children who have died on it too.

Answer 2

Soupy Sales' program originated in Detroit in the 1950s, the time when I was growing up. I saw him once in a grocery store, shopping with my dad when I was about six. He was very nice, seeing he had been recognized, he snapped into character and entertained me for about five minutes. He also had a late-night program for adults called 'Soupy's On'. He disappeared for a few years, and I read that it was because of a joke he made on his program. He told kids to go in their dad's wallet and find all the little pieces of paper with pictures of presidents on them and mail them to him. This caused a big scandal and he lost his program, and it destroyed his career! Years later he was a regular on What's My Line and Hollywood Squares, and that's where most people know him from today. He died just last year!

Answer 3

I can't really think of an instance where the victim was a child on CSI right now, but I know that on Law & Order, especially SVU, they show bodies of children. So in answer to your question, they do show "dead kids" on t.v.

Answer 4

I don't know why you'd want to, but watch the CSI (Vegas) where the parents leave their baby in the car and it dies. Doesn't show a full on shot of the body, but you do see it through the car window.

I can watch the bloodiest, gore filled shows/movies and not be bothered. I've eaten dinner while watching the Autopsy(real ones) shows. BUT seeing a dead baby/child bothers me. So it could just be them thinking about bothering people with the images.

Answer 5

There are no FCC regulations against it. While some programs will show a shot of a dead child, it has to be vital to the story line, like in L & O or CSI. Most producers just feel it is bad taste for gratuitous images, and you wouldn't believe the mail that is received from people who disapprove.

Answer 6

Maybe out of respect for those parents who have lost a child. Even if it's only a TV show, it is difficult to see a dead child.

Answer 7

They show a dozen dead kids on Law & Order a few weeks ago.

Answer 8

Why do you want to see imagery of dead children on TV?

I'm absolutely positive that the "Broadcast Standards" people would veto any such images. Too disturbing if any Live kids caught a glimpse of it.

If you really "need" to see such imagery, then I suggest getting to a counsellor, quick. Have yourself a tubal ligation or vasectomy as well. whichever is appropriate for your gender.

Answer 9

because people don't want to see a dead kid

Answer 10

If you have ever seen one, you would know why. I am a forensic photographer who's seen plenty. The thing that tears me up are the children. Especially when their parents were responsible for the death.