Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

June 13, 2009

When televised cop and medical dramas tackle video game themes, there's usually a large dollop of sensationalism attached.

That being the case, we'll be cautiously Tivoing Fox's June 16th episode of Mental. A preview describes the episode:

JACK TREATS A YOUNG BOY WHO IS CONSUMED WITH A VIDEO GAME THAT EXISTS ONLY IN HIS HEAD ON AN ALL-NEW “MENTAL” TUESDAY, JUNE 16, ON FOX

An 8-year-old bipolar boy whose life is consumed by a video game he plays in his head is admitted to Wharton Memorial for an accident involving a knife. When it turns out the accident was really a suicide attempt, Jack must try to get inside the little boy’s head to find out what is triggering his life-threatening rages. But when the boy bolts from the psych ward, Jack must try to save him by engaging him in his own mind game.

Here's a preview clip...

Posted in Game Addiction Games & Culture Games & Health Media Youth

Comments

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by helend22 on Tue, 07/14/2009 - 14:58.

How crazy video gamers are? bad credit payday loans

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by Wormdundee on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 16:01.

I'm impressed with the sanity present in these comments so far. Not too many people going crazy rage on the show (I'm watching you Kincyr). From what I hear it's not a very good show, could be funny though.

What are the bets that there will be some crazy ass parents who take this seriously and burn all their child's games and then are hospitalized for accidentally inhaling the fumes?

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by sortableturnip on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 08:18.

Wonder what game he's playing in his head? Super Mario Bros?

Damnit, now I got the theme song stuck in my head!!!

Sortableturnip's Law: As an online discussion of video game violence grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Jack Thompson approaches 1

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by ecco6t9 on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 01:55.

Meh House is better.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by TBoneTony on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 12:09.

I have my own imaginary Videogames, but I don't really tell people about them.

I play my imaginary videogames when I am also playing my REAL Videogames.

The secret is that I play a game, then I 'IMAGINE' what is really happening behind those scenes.

TBoneTony

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by Shahab on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 21:20.

This doesn't really have anything to do with video games, the way its being presented its all about the crazy and not about the games.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by Mysticgamer on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 20:00.

Oh great, this going to be like the law and order episode where the crooks some how hid an excel speadsheet on a Prince of Persia disc that could only be accessed by beating the 10th level.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by CEOIII on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 02:22.

You mean the 1984 bomb "Cloak & Dagger"?

I'm Charlie Owens, good night, and good luck.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by Wolvenmoon on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 17:56.

It sounds less like a shot at violent video games, and more like a tribute to the one 70s or 80s hospital show that's ending showed it occured only in a boy with autism's head.

The addition of 'video' as an adjective to 'games' sounds like a mistake on the preview author's part. Of course, I don't watch the show so I'm only guessing. Most of the major network's primary channel's programming is just boring as watching paint dry. Big bang theory's gotten there too. I mean, what do they expect? "YAYFEARMONGERINGLOL, YAYINNUENDOLOL, YAYREALITYSHOWLOL".

Down with TV, up with the Internet.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by JustChris on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 14:48.

Mental looks like it will last two seasons at most. It's Fox's inconsistency with their prime-time shows that led me to miss most of 24. Remember this was about the time when Firefly and Futurama were yanked from their lineup.

When 24 first came out I thought "Cool....another Fox series I can get into. Nah, better not to watch it and spare myself the disappointment because Fox cancels all good action shows now." 6 seasons later....DAMMIT!

GameSnooper

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by DarkSaber on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 16:41.

Seen Season 1 and you've seen Seasons 2-6.

--------------------------------------------------

I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

-------------------------------------------------- I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by Zalethon on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 14:22.

(Moved to where it was supposed to go -- I hate these comment sections :/ ('cause of the apparent difficulty I have using them <.<))

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by KayleL on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 13:07.

You guys realize that Mental is a fictional show. They take various illnesses and exaggerates them to make a show out of it. It's a very odd show and nothing to take seriously.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by hellfire7885 on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 16:21.

Tell that to those who take CSI too seriously.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by Adamas Draconis on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 19:27.

Don't forget House.

Hunting the shadows of the troubled dreams.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by Zalethon on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 14:21.

But we have to take it too seriously! That's what interest groups do!

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by Matthew on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 12:36.

...a video game he plays in his head...

On Earth we call that "imagination."

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by Kincyr on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 12:07.

the dumbasses at FOX don't understand that if it's not on a video screen it's not a videogame. Then again, I shouldn't be surprised, seeing how it's FOX.

岩「…Where do masochists go when they die?」

岩「if Phyllis Schlafly wants to undo Women's Rights, she should lead by example and get back in the kitchen」

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by MrKlorox on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 22:58.

Did you watch the clip? The kid isn't playing it with his eyes closed. He's clearly imagining a screen present.

Also, Fox Entertainment has almost nothing to do with Fox News division. Entirely different people.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by DarkSaber on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 09:07.

Fox is Fox.

--------------------------------------------------

I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

-------------------------------------------------- I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by divisionbyzero on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 12:04.

Mental has about as much to do with real mental illness and treatment as Starsky and Hutch did with police work. Plus, it's a terrible, terrible show. I wouldn't bother.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by Rodrigo Ybáñez ... on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 11:58.

If should be more fun if they include some reference of certain disbarred-crazy-lawyer. That would be better.

Jack: THEY WANT TO KILL ME.

The other Jack: Who, Jack, who want to kill you.

Jack: Videogames-- videogames-- videogames-- games --games (start singing Fantasy Vs. Reality clip)

The other Jack: You know, the hell with this. Even me can´t face this level of bullcrap.

The cynical side of videogames (spanish only): http://thelostlevel.blogspot.com/ My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com/

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by MrKlorox on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 22:55.

I always wanted South Park to do a Thompson parody, but nobody except basically "us" know who he is. Until he gets more world renowned we're left with OUR imaginations.

You hear that, Jacky? You have to step your game up if you want to be prime time parody material.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by michaelleung on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 12:02.

Hey, I know a person like that!

Steam ID: canadakiller

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by Sai on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 10:39.

So what, it's an imaginary video game, in his mind? Could his parents not afford any real ones?

Either way it sounds more like the plots to a few anime than it does a plausible idea for a medical drama.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by MrKlorox on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 22:50.

Exactly. Even the most serious anime are supposed to be taken with a grain of salt. Japanese and Otaku know this. However folks that watch 'serious' American prime time medical dramas are a bit of a different breed. The word hypochondriac comes to mind.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by Arell on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 10:21.

Tie-in with FOX and Friends the next day - "Video games turn children insane."

And then Glenn Beck will scream about all the violence depicted in the fictional kid's, fictional game.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by SeanB on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 12:46.

Glenn doesn't scream anymore, he cries.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by 1AgainstTheWorld on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 09:10.

Well, that's because *sob* he just *choke* LOVES this country SO MUCH! *sob*

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by CyberSkull on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 09:36.

This is the same as engaging anyone else's fantasy world, just the terminology of the world differs.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by FlakAttack on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 14:01.

Yeah, I bet if they said he thinks he's living in a fantasy world, has a sort of HUD, or gets "goals" or "objectives" in his head, it would be far more acceptable than saying he's living a video game... even though that's pretty much what a video game usually is.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by michaelleung on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 09:31.

Wow, playing games in his mind? Must save him a fortune on game discs.

Steam ID: canadakiller

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by MrKlorox on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 22:46.

He still pretends to use BitTorrent.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by DarkSaber on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 09:28.

Oooo, an IMAGINARY game? Is that so they don't have to base what follows on any sort of fact, and also so they won't be able to get sued?

--------------------------------------------------

I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

-------------------------------------------------- I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by MonkeyPeaches on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 09:26.

Great, since we all know how crazy gamers are. (sarcasm)

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by Firebird on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 13:56.

If he had E.T. for the Atari in his head, I'd kill myself too.

J/K

______________________________ Because I have NO Life... :P I introduce the following. PSN User ID: FirebirdXR (Yes, I use that moniker often) Xbox Live ID: FirebirdLR (Don't bother, It's a Silver Membership) *Limited Time Only* I put both because I

Re: Tivo Alert: Fox's Mental Series Tackles Gaming... Uh-oh.

Submitted by Austin_Lewis on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 09:08.

Funny story, I was helping my girlfriend clean out an old house her parents owned, and we found an atari and ET.

Shout box

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Uncharted NES: Critics: 'Left Behind' game glorifies violence- http://tinyurl.com/wu64s02/12/2012 - 4:34pm

Zen: I felt Brutal Legends was a funny & beautiful look at the world of rock from Double Fines point of view. The only parts I wasn't hot for were the RTS bits as it felt forced. Otherwise fantastic.02/12/2012 - 1:34pm

DorthLous: Passed 1.5M$. And I'd also say that Brutal Legend is far from being a bad game. I just think it was a few levels under what people expected from the people working on the project.02/11/2012 - 8:25am

Technogeek: Brutal Legend wasn't bad so much as "marketing had no idea how the game actually played", causing it to suffer accordingly.02/10/2012 - 10:38pm

RedMage: It looks the CIA's website has been DDOS'ed. Anon?02/10/2012 - 7:52pm

RedMage: Brutal Legend.02/10/2012 - 7:52pm

ddrfr33k: Has anything Tim Schafer ever made been of crap caliber? I'm struggling to think of one...02/10/2012 - 7:37pm

Guamish: I think it is in good hands. Tim did a game for the GDC award show and that was fun for how short it was.02/10/2012 - 12:22pm

Andrew Eisen: It'll be tragic if the game ultimately sucks.02/10/2012 - 12:17pm

james_fudge: $1.3 million02/10/2012 - 11:32am

Uncharted NES: Germany Says It Won't Sign ACTA [Update: ... Yet]- http://tinyurl.com/7r2twrg02/10/2012 - 11:21am

Andrew Eisen: Damn. Double Fine's Kickstarter fund has already passed a million dollars.02/09/2012 - 8:16pm

Andrew Eisen: Audrey didn't quote the sassy parts. Here's IGN's article: http://wii.ign.com/articles/121/1218359p1.html And here's my original post: http://tinyurl.com/7y68a3902/09/2012 - 7:50pm

james_fudge: I hope you some said something sassy! Where's the link?02/09/2012 - 7:46pm

Andrew Eisen: Hey, neat. IGN quoted a blog I had writen only two hours earlier. I certainly timed that one pretty well.02/09/2012 - 7:38pm

Andrew Eisen: Toki Tori has been added to the Humble Bundle for Android.02/09/2012 - 5:11pm

james_fudge: Thanks for the heads-up DorthLous02/09/2012 - 4:33pm

DorthLous: Will do, my apologies.02/09/2012 - 4:14pm

Andrew Eisen: I appreciate the heads up but please keep typo alerts to the specific article's comments or PMs.02/09/2012 - 3:33pm

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