Kurt Sutter Addresses Parents Television Council Criticism Over 'Sons Of Anarchy' School Shooting Episode

PTC Blasts 'Sons,' Kurt Sutter Fires Back
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The organization quickly went after the the FX biker series, with PTC president Tim Winter issuing the following statement:

“What FX chose to show -- a scene of a young boy murdering innocent children in a school with a semi-automatic gun -- is enough of a reason for consumers to have the choice not to underwrite such horrifically violent and disturbing material. Think about the parents who have been personally affected by real-life school shootings – even they were forced to contribute to FX on their cable bills. This is an outrage, and the time for consumers to have real choice has come. Changing the channel is simply not enough -- that’s a lazy excuse from the cable industry’s own talking points that does not address the real problem.”

"Sons" creator Kurt Sutter fired back shortly afterward, saying he was simply telling a story.

“I would imagine these are not evil people,” Sutter said on his Sutter Ink podcast on Thursday.” But they are just not very intuitive or intelligent individuals. It’s such a small and simple view of process. The fact that people want to be monitoring what my children watch is terrifying. There is no awareness of what is the bigger objective of that episode is, the bigger point of the narrative."

“Whenever that stuff crosses the line into censorship, it’s just scary … not just on a creative level but a personal level,” he continued. “I’m a storyteller. I’m not a social guru, I’m not a guy with an agenda politically, socially or morally. I’m a f---ing storyteller."

This isn't the first time Sutter has defended the scene
. At the 2013 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour, he argued that it was not meant to generate controversy.

"I know obviously that it would be somewhat controversial, but I feel like as much as I wouldn’t do something because it was controversial, I’m also not going to do something because it is," he said, according to TVLine.

"Sons Of Anarchy" airs on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on FX.

Fall TV Newcomers To Watch
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As Agent Leo Fitz on "S.H.I.E.L.D.," De Caestecker is one half of the team's brain trust, serving as the gadget expert alongside his partner in crime-fighting, Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge). The ABC series marks De Caestecker's first major US role.Across the pond, the Scottish actor has previously played the male lead in two BBC series, "The Fades" and "Young James Herriot," and will star in Ryan Gosling's directorial debut "How to Catch a Monster." "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." premieres Tuesday, September 24 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. (credit:ABC)
Elizabeth Henstridge, "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." (ABC)(02 of16)
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Playing Agent Jemma Simmons on "S.H.I.E.L.D.," Henstridge is the team's biochem expert and the yin to Fitz's yang -- they're both nerdy, British and totally charming. Before her big break in "S.H.I.E.L.D.," Henstridge previously scored a lead role in J.J. Abrams and Mark Schwahn's CW pilot, "Shelter," and appeared opposite Sylvester Stallone in the movie "Reach Me.""Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." premieres Tuesday, September 24 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. (credit:ABC)
Sophie Lowe, "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland" (ABC)(03 of16)
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As the star of "Wonderland," Lowe gives us a kick-ass Alice who's the opposite of a damsel in distress, while still believably selling the emotion of her starcrossed romance with Cyrus. Born in England but raised in Australia, Lowe has appeared in films such as "Beautiful Kate," "Adore," and "Blame," but "Wonderland" is her US network debut. "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland" premieres Thursday, October 10 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. (credit:ABC)
Peter Gadiot, "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland" (ABC)(04 of16)
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Jessica De Gouw, "Dracula" (NBC)(05 of16)
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Megan Boone, "The Blacklist" (NBC)(06 of16)
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As rookie FBI agent Elizabeth Keen, Boone goes toe to toe with James Spader's criminal mastermind Raymond “Red” Reddington and impressively manages to hold her own in NBC's new thriller.After a stint on "Law & Order: LA" and a guest spot on "Blue Bloods," Boone's not quite a newcomer, but her steely "Blacklist" character is certain to be her breakout role."The Blacklist" premieres Monday, September 23 at 10 p.m. ET on NBC. (credit:NBC)
Jake McLaughlin, "Believe" (NBC)(07 of16)
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McLaughlin has been in the industry for several years -- and before that, served as a member of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division -- but midseason drama "Believe" could finally boost him into leading man territory.McLaughlin plays Tate, a wrongfully imprisoned death row inmate who’s lost his drive, but finds new purpose in protecting Bo (Johnny Sequoyah) a precocious 10-year-old with extraordinary abilities. McLaughlin has previously appeared in films such as "Warrior" and "Safe House," as well as the TV version of Oscar-winning movie "Crash.""Believe" premieres midseason on NBC. (credit:NBC)
Joseph Haro, "Welcome to the Family" (NBC)(08 of16)
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Haro has previously popped up for recurring guest spots on "Glee" and "Awkward," but finally gets to take center stage in NBC's comedy about two wildly different families who are forced to coexist after Junior Hernandez (Haro) gets his girlfriend Molly Yoder (Ella Rae Peck) pregnant. "Welcome to the Family" premieres Thursday, October 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC. (credit:NBC)
Robbie Amell, "The Tomorrow People" (The CW)(09 of16)
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Following in the footsteps of his cousin, "Arrow" star Stephen Amell, Robbie Amell will play the lead in The CW's new drama, a high-concept remake of the British series from the '70s. As a troubled young man struggling with frightening abilities he cannot understand, Amell's character, Stephen Jameson, slowly begins to unravel the truth about who and what he is with the help of a mysterious group of fellow outcasts known as the Tomorrow People.Though he previously recurred on "Revenge" and “Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous,” and landed a regular role on NBC's shortlived "1600 Penn," "Tomorrow People" should prove to be Amell's breakthrough performance."The Tomorrow People" premieres Wednesday, October 9 at 9 p.m. ET on The CW. (credit:The CW)
Adelaide Kane, "Reign" (The CW)(10 of16)
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Another striking Australian actress, Kane was a series regular in her native country's long-running soap "Neighbours," and has guested on "Teen Wolf" and "Power Rangers," as well as appearing in the recent horror movie "The Purge." US audiences will get their first proper introduction to Kane as Mary, Queen of Scots in the period drama, which will find the monarch swept up in a web of intrigue, lies and superstition, trying to navigate ruling the country while keeping control of her heart."Reign" premieres Thursday, October 10 at 9 p.m. ET on The CW. (credit:The CW)
Parker Young, "Enlisted" (Fox)(11 of16)
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Fans of ABC's "Suburgatory" will already be familiar with Young -- and his impressive abs -- but in "Enlisted," the hunky 25-year-old will finally get the chance to steal the spotlight as Private Randy Hill, the youngest of three brothers stationed at Fort McGee. There, big brother Sergeant Pete Hill (Geoff Stults) must attempt to whip Randy and middle brother, Corporal Derrick Hill (Chris Lowell), into shape to try and get them and the other misfits out of the Rear Detachment (Rear D) unit, which is comprised of the soldiers left behind when everyone else is deployed, because they're not quite good enough to be sent overseas, yet not bad enough to be kicked out of the Army."Enlisted" premieres Friday, November 8 at 9:30 p.m. ET on Fox. (credit:Fox)
Tom Mison, "Sleepy Hollow" (Fox)(12 of16)
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US audiences are certain to fall in love with this handsome Brit when they see his take on the iconic Ichabod Crane, the eccentric, acerbic and charismatic hero at the center of "Sleepy Hollow." Resurrected and pulled two and a half centuries through time to the present day, Ichabod must find a way to defeat the seemingly unkillable Headless Horseman while navigating a world he no longer understands.Mison has previously appeared in series such as "Parade's End" and "Lost in Austen," as well as films including "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" and "One Day," but "Sleepy Hollow" is his first major American role. "Sleepy Hollow" premieres Monday, September 16 at 9 p.m. ET on Fox. (credit:Fox)
Nicole Beharie, "Sleepy Hollow" (Fox)(13 of16)
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With wit, comedic timing and instant chemistry with Mison, Beharie effortlessly draws viewers in as Detective Abbie Mills, a young but determined cop whose own supernatural experiences help her form an unlikely bond with Ichabod. The duo crackle like Mulder and Scully for a new generation, proving to be an offbeat but engaging double act. On the small screen, Beharie has guest starred on "The Good Wife" and "Law and Order: SVU," as well as landing big screen roles in "42," "Shame" and "American Violet.""Sleepy Hollow" premieres Monday, September 16 at 9 p.m. ET on Fox. (credit:Fox)
Chelsea Peretti, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (Fox)(14 of16)
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Multitalented writer/actress Chelsea Peretti is no newcomer to the comedy scene, having penned numerous episodes of "Parks and Recreation" and "The Kroll Show." She has previously guest-starred on both series, as well as "Louie" and "China, IL," and performed her stand-up on tours across the country.Her gig as eccentric, civilian office manager Gina Linetti on Fox's buzzed-about cop comedy will be her first regular scripted role in front of the camera, and judging by her hilarious performance in the pilot, she should plan on staying there for many years to come. "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" premieres Tuesday, September 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET on Fox. (credit:Fox)
Chris Smith, "We Are Men" (CBS)(15 of16)
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In a season dominated by established names such as Robin Williams, Tony Shalhoub and Will Arnett, Smith is one of the few truly fresh faces on CBS' line-up, having bubbled under the radar with guest roles on "How I Met Your Mother," "The Office" and "The Mindy Project" up until now -- along with a lead role in "Paranormal Activity 3."The comedy centers around four single guys living in a short-term apartment complex who unexpectedly find camaraderie over their many missteps in love. Smith plays Carter, the youngest and most recent addition to the group, who moved in after being ditched at the altar mid-ceremony, and is now eager to re-enter the dating scene and get on with his life with some guidance from his “band of brothers.""We Are Men" premieres Monday, September 30 at 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS. (credit:CBS)
Sadie Calvano, "Mom" (CBS)(16 of16)
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Time will tell whether Calvano can hold her own against her on-screen mother (Anna Faris) and grandmother (Allison Janney), but she's certainly in fine company in Chuck Lorre's new comedy. She plays Violet, the rebellious teen daughter of Christy, who might be growing up a little too fast for her mom's tastes. Calvano has previously guest-starred on "Eagleheart," "NCIS" and "Melissa and Joey," and made her film debut in "J. Edgar.""Mom" premieres Monday, September 23 at 9:30 p.m. ET on CBS. (credit:CBS)

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