Network TV goes too far too often

From looking at the TV Guide nothing really shocks us anymore. Network television constantly pushes the envelope, but nothing jumps out and shocks us because we have become so desensitized to sex and violence on the tube.

We have "Desperate Housewives" doing God-knows-what on Wisteria Lane, surgeons screwing anyone that's alive in the hospital, and serial killers getting more creative with their murders. But recently I was surprised to see on a Thursday night CBS show a nerdy engineer getting his manhood stuck in a robot's "realistic" hand.

Yep, you read that correctly. On the season premiere "The Big Bang Theory," Howard Wolowitz, played by Simon Helberg, got his Jewish jewels squeezed a little too tight by artificial intelligence.

As one of the biggest fans of "The Big Bang Theory," I knew as Howard, the sexually perverted, geeky engineer, was receiving a shoulder massage from the robot and said, "Oh! That feels just like a real hand!" what he would try to do. But, I don't feel that the writers should have gone as far as it did.

The show reveals the robot at Howard Wolowitz's bedside peeking from the blanket that covered the connection. Yes, there is still mystery covering up Howard's business, but the image wasn't necessary. The episode goes further to fully humiliate Howard by having to go to the hospital to be freed from the robot's iron clasp.

I was definitely shocked the writers went this far. I'll admit that it was a pretty hilarious turn of events and even set up for future jokes in the show, but come on guys, leave some things to the imagination. "The Big Bang Theory" is known for its intelligent jokes, social awkwardness, as well as its fair share of sexual innuendos.

The writers could have completely left the audience in the dark about if Howard actually went through with his idea or not. The audience could have easily visualized - safely in their own mind - what happened to Howard. The show should allow the audience to ponder and think for themselves and not just mindlessly show everything off.

I hold the writers of "The Big Bang Theory" to a higher standard. I feel that how they handled Howard's incident dumbs down the show. I'm not saying we shouldn't have any sex or violence in our television shows. Sex and violence is entertaining, but some things hold more weight if left to the imagination of the audience.

For example, in our society, we wear clothing to appropriately cover our bodies. You see that girl wearing an off-the-shoulder blouse. It shows some skin, but not the whole package. Then, you see another woman wearing a t-shirt without a bra. I know every guy wants to see a chick's nips, but that's really inappropriate and lacks class. You have to leave your observer or audience wanting more. If you reveal all of the goods, then you have nothing left to offer.