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Television and Popular Culture
The Gatekeeper: My 30 Years as a TV Censor
From 1960 to 1990, Alfred R. Schneider served as head of standards and practices, or "chief censors," for the ABC television network. From his unique vantage point, Schneider managed issues of taste and morality that determined what millions of U.S. viewers watched. During his tenure the nation's attitudes changed drastically, as did the content shown on American airwaves. Controversies arose about TV's influence on children, its portrayal of violence, and its introduction of once taboo subjects.
Hardcover
First published May 6, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 21, 2025
Big disappointment. This could have been a major reference book to help reflect on the history of network television from the 1960s to the 1990s--instead we get a basic outline of a few shows that the author was involved in censoring at ABC, along with his half-baked and confusing philosophy regarding television as "public service."
There is a lot wrong with the book, but the main issue is that it's way too short. Only 140 pages to tell his story about censoring shows for ABC for thirty years? A dozen or so sitcoms, dramas and movies are featured, but even then they only get a few paragraphs. He doesn't even allude to what was his most infamous mistake--airing the show "Turn On" (from the creators of "Laugh-In") that was so bad in allowing trashy comedy that it was cancelled by stations while it was still airing its first episode (a first in TV history). It isn't even mentioned here!
Instead Schneider goes off on intellectual rants about the First Amendment, serving the public, and way too much on the Family Viewing Hour (which he feels burned by since ABC had to move some shows to later in the evening). A lot of television terms and history get overlooked, and at times most average readers won't have a clue what the guy is talking about. This is the man that personally refused to let a 1990 ABC drama from Steven Bochco say the word "scumbag." HUH? Why not go into depth regarding why, especially when by that time networks were allowing much worse!
You get to the end and wonder, "That's it?" The index is incomplete, and the book contains basic writing errors ("Sally Fields" was really Sally Field). He also does a really poor job summarizing outside protest groups that had legitimate complaints and seems confused about the impact of them. (He wrongly states Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority was before Don Wildmon's group that held television accountable, it was the opposite.)
As a gatekeeper this author is self-censoring and not allowing us to see the depth of his impactful television career.
There is a lot wrong with the book, but the main issue is that it's way too short. Only 140 pages to tell his story about censoring shows for ABC for thirty years? A dozen or so sitcoms, dramas and movies are featured, but even then they only get a few paragraphs. He doesn't even allude to what was his most infamous mistake--airing the show "Turn On" (from the creators of "Laugh-In") that was so bad in allowing trashy comedy that it was cancelled by stations while it was still airing its first episode (a first in TV history). It isn't even mentioned here!
Instead Schneider goes off on intellectual rants about the First Amendment, serving the public, and way too much on the Family Viewing Hour (which he feels burned by since ABC had to move some shows to later in the evening). A lot of television terms and history get overlooked, and at times most average readers won't have a clue what the guy is talking about. This is the man that personally refused to let a 1990 ABC drama from Steven Bochco say the word "scumbag." HUH? Why not go into depth regarding why, especially when by that time networks were allowing much worse!
You get to the end and wonder, "That's it?" The index is incomplete, and the book contains basic writing errors ("Sally Fields" was really Sally Field). He also does a really poor job summarizing outside protest groups that had legitimate complaints and seems confused about the impact of them. (He wrongly states Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority was before Don Wildmon's group that held television accountable, it was the opposite.)
As a gatekeeper this author is self-censoring and not allowing us to see the depth of his impactful television career.
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July 24, 2025This book was not what I expected it to be, as the "censor" in question was a First Amendment lawyer who acted as a sort of arbitrator between the SP&P and the creators of television programming (made-for-TV movies, directors of theatrical releases whose right had been bought, and such). The book is also quite short and unsatisfying. The case studies were of interest.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews