Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, studios have been grappling over what to do with violent content in television and film.
CBS shelved the series premiere of The Agency and Touchstone Pictures delayed the original Sept. 21 release of Big Trouble, both because of terrorist plot lines.
A poll conducted by the MRCGroup Research Institute, exclusively for The Hollywood Reporter last weekend, shows that this fear might be inflated.
The survey did find that 63% of those surveyed believe it is critical or very important for studios to reduce the number of movies containing violence and that 67% thought TV shows should also lessen the numbers of shows containing violence. Seven out of 10 people polled, however, indicated they did not plan on changing their viewing habits at all.
Jim Medick, the founder and CEO of the Las Vegas-based MRCGroup Research Institute, told The Hollywood Reporter the survey exemplifies the good old American way.
“People are not going to change their habits for anyone or anything,” Medick said. “Those saying that it’s very important to reduce violence in films are the ones who don’t see those types of movies. That’s across the board.”
While one-quarter of those polled revealed they will go see fewer movies, only 19% of those were aged between 18-40, the most active moviegoers. People who see action, science fiction and horror movies, for example, were not as convinced that less violence is needed.
According to the survey, Americans are also eager to regain a sense of normalcy. 87% indicated they do not feel guilty about getting back to a routine and have no qualms about having fun.
The survey also indicates that people were split on the news coverage about terrorist activities. While almost half of those surveyed can’t turn away from news reports, 55% disagreed with that statement.
