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The current wave of TV bashing is different from the attacks on excessive sex and violence launched in the past by conservative watchdogs such as the Rev. Donald Wildmon. Nor does it have much to do with recent right-wing charges that PBS programming -- mainly a few independently produced documentaries -- has a liberal slant. It goes straight to the hearts and mind- sets of the people who create the shows that most of America watches. In essence, it is an extension of an argument made by Ben Stein, a TV scriptwriter and former Nixon speechwriter, in his 1979 book, The View from Sunset Boulevard. Stein contended that, on subjects ranging from religion to the military, TV reflects the values of a pampered, predominantly liberal Hollywood elite.
It is hard to dispute the contention that TV's creative community, on the whole, has a liberal bent. Democratic activists are easy to find in Hollywood; Republicans (with a few exceptions, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Charlton Heston and Major Dad's Gerald McRaney) tend to lie low. "There used to be a rule in Hollywood that you didn't mix your politics with your image," says one producer. "This wall came tumbling down for liberals but not conservatives. The conservative talents don't flaunt their politics."
A survey of 104 top TV creators and executives, conducted by the Center for Media and Public Affairs, a Washington watchdog group, found that the views of this TV "elite" are considerably more liberal than those of most Americans. For example, 97% of the respondents held a pro-choice view on abortion, 86% supported the right of homosexuals to teach in public schools, and 51% do not regard adultery as wrong. "People in Hollywood are overwhelmingly left of center," says S. Robert Lichter, co-director of the center, "so it makes sense that they do material that is congruent with their point of view. So you get material on environmentalism, feminism, gay rights. You won't see old- fashioned patriotism, stories on religion, support for the military."
It is not at all certain, however, that liberal views translate into advocacy programming. Most producers insist that they avoid political commentary and strive for balance in presenting controversial issues. "We're here to entertain people, not become social activists," says Dick Wolf, executive producer of Law & Order. Steven Bochco, co-creator of L.A. Law and Doogie Howser, M.D., says, "Philosophically, I've been opposed to using my shows as political forum."
Diane English too insists her goal is to entertain, not sway voters. But she concedes she made the character of Murphy Brown "a liberal Democrat because in fact that's what I am." She sees TV's political role in somewhat grandiose, Madisonian terms. "The people in power, whether Democrats or Republicans, all have access to the airwaves. The opposing point of view is often not heard, and in this case, with 12 years of Republicans who are followed around by the press, with every word and every speech documented, perhaps Hollywood's liberal bent is kind of a natural balance to that."