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This is somewhat peripheral to the subject at hand, but maybe there's something to be said for the hypothesis that plays, literature, and shows that depict human behavior at its worst can have a cathartic effect upon the audience. Consider Japan. That country is notorious for some of the subjects of its popular literature. Murders and sexual deviations abound. One such example would be the comic book hero Rapeman, who felt it his mission in life to "right wrongs through penetration." Yet on all counts, Japan has a very low crime rate, and women are far safer on the streets of Tokyo than on the streets of New York City.
The distinction between reality and fiction is not an unimportant one. I've laughed out loud watching the characters of Married with Children deceiving, cheating, and defrauding each other, but would be appalled if I saw such behavior being played out in real life.
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