That phrase has always made me smile. Theoretically it advises or, perhaps, invites. Look away, it warns, nasty things await. But to use discretion means to be careful not to give offense. Shouldn't viewers always exercise discretion? I guess the indiscreet viewer is a voyeur of sorts. Maybe we should watch the show while pretending not to watch it, much as we would discreetly glance at a car wreck or an unfortunately garbed plumber. To not watch doesn't void it though, looking away from the wreck establishes its presence as clearly as looking at it. Discretion implies that we take care with our language, too, avoiding its indiscriminate use in delicate situations. So, are we to be discreet about those particular viewing habits? "Ummm, I was going to rave about this show, but it told me not to tell anyone." Kind of nips word of mouth campaigns right in the bud. Maybe the phrase is really the brown paper wrapper around the television screen.
Discretion is also the freedom to choose. So, we're advised to exercise free will by the television from time to time. Does that mean that so-called family entertainment includes, by omitting that invitation, an implicit negation of free will? Troubling. Apparently the programs that don't explicitly suggest that we choose don't trust us very much. Or maybe they're a part of some authoritarian conspiracy. Who could have thought that Fear Factor was actually reminding us to resist evil dictators? You could even make the message into a longer public service announcement.
Finally, aren't they worried about spoilers? I mean, if they reveal that there's going to be some kind of nastiness in the following program, doesn't that kind of ruin the surprise?
I'm having trouble sleeping, so I thought I'd subject you not so unsuspecting readers to some musings on discretion, which is the greater part of valor. So maybe we should be courageous? Perhaps the warning is really a call to arms. How could a program be bad if it invites us to heroic deeds. Viewer Discretion Advised!!! Throw off your oppressors!!!
Now, Parental Discretion Advised. Even more possibilities there.
