CENSORSHIP!
Yesterday evening I was fixing chili for Sweet Man and me. Yes, I know I'm scaring y'all. I was cooking again. I had the local evening news on in the background...well, local in that it was from the capital of our lovely state. The local affiliates suck even more.... it was right before the show ended and the real news came on (national). A segment came on about a new network series that was going to premiere that night. It's called "The Book of Daniel".
According to my bible (T.V. Guide), this drama is "about a vice-riddled minister struggling to keep the faith"......"throw in a drug-dealing daughter, a gay son and a few visions of Jesus and you have the perfect poor soul to complele your prayer circle."
I don't know about y'all, but that sounds pretty realistic to me. Well, maybe not the "visions of Jesus" part. But I guess it depends on what kinds of drugs the minister is abusing. And it is T.V. and it is fiction, after all.
The news show had gathered a group of what they were referring to as "specialists in their fields" for a "forum". This "forum" consisted of a member of management from the t.v. station, a "theological professional" ( local small college theology professor), and a "journalist" (journalism professor from same college).
This little group discussed how the show was going to be aired that night despite complaints from area viewers. Evidently alllllll the good Christians of the area were up in arms about this new show. Management stated that after the first hour of the episode, viewers could call in to the station and leave comments with members of station management. No discussion with said members of management would take place. Just the leaving of comments.
The theologial professional stated that the show is a "contrived" view of Christianity and a "bad place to form one's opinion on theology".
The journalism professional stated that he was "happy to see that the station was responsive to their audience". Apparently some stations are cancelling the airing of the show. At least this station is "letting" it be aired and "letting the viewers make up their own minds".
Gee, thanks station. I'm 49 years old. I need your permission to "make up my own mind".
Sweet home Alabama...... gotta love it.
But it could be worse. At least I don't have the misfortune of residing in "certain areas of Arkansas and Oklahoma" where the show is not being aired at all.
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I'm shocked that it was shown here last night, given that Jerry Falwell lives here in my not so humble city. Of course, the NBC station is in a different city, so that could have something to do with it. These people who spend their time "monitoring" TV need to get a life...
ReplyDeleteI agree completely~they do need to get a life and stop trying to control everyone elses.
ReplyDelete"Joan of Arcadia" lasted on TV quite a few seasons. Wonder why THAT didn't get 'em all riled up?
I still haven't read the "bible" since it changed size.
ReplyDeleteMy sister says she loves it.
I tried to look at it and it doesn't even list weekends durning the day! Argh!
I'll stop complaining now.
Pissy--I'm with you. Why do people think that TV should consist of only happy, perfect lives? We all know that just 'cause you got Jesus doesn't mean your life is perfect.
ReplyDeleteMy aunt has been what I consider and "over-the-top" Bible Beater for most of my adult life. Her son, my cousin, is my age & was raised basically the same way as myself. I think I turned out okay. He, on the other hand, has had a string of legal problems, divorce, custody battles, drug problems, mental illness, & recently arrested for one of (what the authorities say) biggest crystal meth labs in our area.
Now, does that sound like a perfect life or what?
It's time that real life is accurately portrayed on TV!
I watched part of the show last night - in between baths, stories, yelling at kids and saying bedtime PRAYERS...
ReplyDeletei kind a liked what i saw.
i was raised up right - southern baptist & southern democrat - as if the two can be separated...
and the good folks i go to church with nowadays would usually just rather i not open my mouth on most occasions. when we talk about abortion in sunday school, i'm the sole minority. same thing on homosexuality and a plethora of other 'heated' topics.
i could just not go to church. just like they could just not watch what they don't want to on tv.
it's a CHOICE we make. it's america. the land of the free.
so what i really just wanted to say is this...
CENSORSHIP SUCKS!
amen.
I'm with you... sound slike reality tv to me?! he he
ReplyDeleteI saw a news show on that last night, too. I got my knickers in a knot.
ReplyDeleteOh, good grief! They all need something better to do than try to oversee television shows! I mean, really!
ReplyDeleteWasn't there a time in hooterville when you wanted to go to the movies and see something and they weren't showing it there? I can't think of the name of the movies, now, I just remember you saying that you would have to visit me and see it here or you would have to wait for it to come out on DVD...
Jenn: It's really good for more in-depth stuff about tv, but the no weekend daytime listings is a little bothersome. I just go to tv guide channel...
ReplyDeleteYou can complain as much as you want to me 'cuz I really didn't expect to like it so I do know how you feel :)
kb: I know of alot of situations like your aunt and cousin. It's almost like the "Christian" is in denial... they just don't want to believe it...
Guess the truth hurts...
t cole: Well said! I should have asked you to do the post. Your comment was better than my entire post! :)
Amen.
NWG: That's what I'm talkin' about! hee hee!
Hot lips: Yeah, my head kinda spun around when I heard what the "panel of experts" would be discussing!
City: Yep! That's hooterville. I can't remember now what the movie was. But the local gay couple that own all the movie theatres here bowed to the pressure and didn't show the "controversial" movie...
Oh Pissy, what an excellent compliment - specially coming from you.
ReplyDeletebtw, while i'm here - you should know - my husband has a crush on you. Every night - i read him my blog and comments and yours. He still hasn't shut up about the redneck entry and response. He was with you in spirit in Wendy's that day! He has also told me that if we ever meet you in person, he's wearing his beavis and butthead slippers, his checkered flag nascar pj bottoms and his wife-beater tank top. he knows you're married and all, but he still says - "She's my kind of girl."
He's a real cutie and obviously has excellent taste in women - go back in my archives, November - there's a pic...
sweet dreams...
t&d cole
I forgot to watch it, although I did intend to because Garrett Dillahunt plays Jesus. If you're a Deadwood fan, you'll know that Mr. Dillahunt played Jack McCall (the killer of Wild Bill Hickock) in the first season. Then he came back in the second season and played a serial killer. Didn't even look like the same guy. I saw the commercials for Daniel with Dillahunt as Jesus and again... he looked completely different. Maybe they will reshow it sometime soon and I can catch it. Hope so.
ReplyDeletet cole: and I meant it!!!
ReplyDeleteI'll admit it. I went to your archives to check out the pic of your hubby. Not that I doubted you, but he IS a cutie! (and your little girl is a doll). Nice to know that my "fan" is cute! hee hee!!!
I don't know if I can wait to meet y'all to see him in the get-up you described. You might need to take a pic of him wearing it and do a post~maybe Halloween?!?!? Beavis and Butthead slippers?
Now THAT's special! :)
kc: I've never seen "Deadwood" but have read lots about what a good show it is.
I'm hoping they'll show "Book of Daniel" again so that I can see for myself what all the hoopla is about.
I actually feel asleep before 9:00 last night!!! Haven't done that in AGES. I know. I'm old and boring :)
I am always the one saying "If you don't like it...turn the fucking channel!!" These people have just a tad too much time on their hands!
ReplyDeleteI sure wish the hoopla were limited to the south, but unfortunately, the zealot enclave residing around Notre Dame has managed to raise more ruckus about it than a herd of hyenas in heat. Now what I think plus 2 bucks will get you a ride on the city bus, but if you are that churchy and you still feel the desire to watch television, then have a shot of Black Jack, light up a smoke and start readin' trash 'cuz clearly something in your brainwashing/indoctrination didn't take.
ReplyDeleteWe have to remember it's not always the bible thumpers who do this, we have had groups with different agendas use the same pressure tactics if something about their group is portrayed with a bit of negativity.
ReplyDeleteIt's wrong whoever does it, I agree with the others..turn the channel.
The climate at this time is the hardcore Christians have the ear of the Humpty Dumpty politicians, back in the Clinton years it was the lefty liberals..it never goes away!...errrrrrrrrrrrrr
I wasn't going to watch it but all the hoopla got me curious. I watched it but found it kinda boring and gravitated to my homework (which I should've been doing anyway) and left it on to listen to. Not that impressed. Too bad. I like Aidin Quinn (he's not hard on the eyes neither) and was hoping for something to get those conservatives all riled up.
ReplyDeleteAnd why can't Jesus have a sense of humor? I see things like GW, freeway traffic and my sex life and I KNOW someone upstairs is laughing their ass off.
wmy: My sentiments exactly!
ReplyDeleteRocky: You are so right! And nice alliteration, btw :)
tc: You know...you're right. You always make me think. Thanks for pointing that out :)
reg: glad you did your homework~and on a Friday night, no less! That's dedication :) Aiden Quinn IS a cutie. Oh, yeah...Jesus has a sense of humor...can you say R E D N E C K S ? hee hee
Not for nothing, but that's just plain horseshit in my world. Sure, it's a free country, free speech and all that, but I'm not letting ANYONE EVER do my thinking for me.
ReplyDeletePeople who cowtow to the current leanings (conservative or not) are merely lambs being led to the slaughter.
If you really want something to complain about, Mr. and Mrs. Theology College, etc. how about coming to my house to view a little porn?
I only watch porn with the very best of people.
(If I knew those shmucks would show up, I'd scour every sex shop from here to NY for a DVD that has Jesus in it somewhere. That's not blasphemy...it's HUMOR!)
It was on an Oklahoma City station,I was plesently surprised being in the middle of the bible belt. Censorship is ok as long as I get to decide what people watch.
ReplyDeletePat Robbertson would sure as hell be of the air!
buddha girl: when you find a porn tape with Jesus as a character, you'll have to do a post!!! LOL!
ReplyDeleteTex: thanks for stopping by. Glad to hear you aren't in the "certain area" of Oklahoma that didn't air it!
I purposefully taped it BECAUSE some dumbass, ignorant woman was interviewed on our local station (Philadelphia) saying that from what she saw in a 30 second preview she thought it was a disgrace and humiliation to Christians and that it should be pulled.
ReplyDeleteoh reeeeaaaaaalllly, you got that from 30 seconds sweetheart? Well, don't watch it then you narrowminded *********..... Honestly, what do people think about Fox's COPS? I, personally, find that much more offensive and that IS real life.
I actually thought it was a good show and I'll probably watch it again. All thanks to that woman. And yes, I did send my comments in to our TV station.
The station also interviwed a church group AND Reverand from a local Episcopaleon church and they ALL thought it was a good show and that it portrayed the chuch well.
I'll just come down off my soapbox now....
E
E: I'm glad to hear that a Rev. and some church people thought it was good. Nice to know there are some more open-minded "Christians" out there. I think you're the first person I've heard from who actually watched the entire show.
ReplyDeleteI will definately watch or tape it, if the "Church fork" down here "allow" it to be aired again.
On a not suprising side note: my husband watched the news on that same tv station the day after the show aired and apparently the phone lines were clogged by some church group who had formed a phone chain of some sort to call in and complain. Guess they thought if there were enough of them complaining it wouldn't be shown again...
I never watch TV. Ever. But I walked into the living room just after this started and I found it VERY interesting. A well done show... and in no way whatsover offensive except to people who don't want to admit that real life happens.
ReplyDeleteBut then... isn't that most of what censorship consists of anyway? A bunch of narrow-minded people who don't want to admit that real life happens, so they hide behind their little facade of perfection?