I hope you're not expecting something specific.

January 14, 2006

The Remote Is Right There

Maybe someone can explain this to me. So far, seven NBC affiliates have pulled The Book of Daniel from their lineups due to complaints. About what, I have no idea. I mean, I do but I don't. Apparently, some religious types are upset that a priest's family would include a gay son, a slutty son, a drug-dealing daughter (who only sold something she found to make money for her art software), a neurotic/alcoholic wife, and a lesbian sister in law. I guess it's not family friendly enough, which I can see. OK, here's a quote from the story I linked to in the title:

[WSMV-TV General Manager] Hale said viewers objected to the language, the sexual content and the portrayal of Jesus, who appears to Quinn's character for regular chats.

OK, the language and sexual content? I can see how that may not be suitable for children (please refer to the title of this blog for an instant solution to that problem). But the portrayal of Jesus? The only thing I found offensive was that he was dressed like he was 2000 years ago! You're the Son of God! Update! But he was portrayed as a warm and kind being who was easy to talk to. I thought.... that's how these people would like for Him to be portrayed, right? I just don't understand. I have to wonder if these people even watched the show. And geez, if you have small children? I just looked up when the show was on so I could find some alternatives for those easily offended parents of small children and the show doesn't even come on until 9pm CST! So that means that it's not even on in the "family hour." Just switch over to NUMB3RS with their stupid 3 in their title if you want some good clean calculus fun. OMG send the children to bed! You people make me so mad.

Augh my blood pressure! Is it dumb to get mad about this? It's just a TV show. Yes it is. But. It's also indicative of the entitlement some people feel to push their values or way of life onto other people. And BOTH sides, conservative and liberal, are guilty of this. And it drives me up the wall. If you don't like the show, don't watch. The low ratings will kill the show. But for God's sake (hee!), the rest of us have our own opinions and don't mind a priest being depicted in a nice, real-ish (i.e. not cookie cutter, 7TH HEAVEN!) fashion who happens to talk to Jesus. And just happens to have actual problems like the rest of us. I..... I just don't get people.

Listen, this isn't the best show in the world. I'm not going to go to bat for it like I would 24 or Lost (Jesus Stick!). But people should be able to make their own decisions about what to watch. If you don't like it, I'm presuming you have more than one channel. Don't go around ruining it for the rest of us. Society as a whole is not being "poisoned" by a TV show. Unless it's Yes Dear. Why don't they complain about that one instead? Is that still on the air? There's so much more offensive things on TV (anyone watch CSI last season?). I don't get why these people are so mad about THIS show. Because it has Jesus in it? As the good guy? I just..... turn of the TV and go read the Bible. You are ridiculous and I'm taking the batteries out of your remote and making you watch Teletubbies on repeat. THEY'LL TURN YOU GAY!

Ahem. Anyway. That station in Tennessee? Got 137 voicemails. And let's say, they got the same amount of emails and letters. That's 411 complaints total. Oooh sounds scary! Half a million people live in Nashville. So what percentage found it offensive enough to complain? You do the math. I can't because it's Saturday.

What's really a crime is how Fox cancelled Reunion and then scheduled an hour of That 70's Show in its place. And then, they kept Stacked in the lineup!!! THAT'S what I'M mad about!! But alas, it is dead. RIP Samantha. You were kind of a selfish bitch anyway.

2 Comments:

Blogger Shane said...

You forgot to mention Daniel's mentor/boss, Bishop Burstyn, who is sleeping with Daniel's father, Bishop Grandpa.

10:14 AM

 
Blogger Stewed Hamm said...

My initial reaction when I saw the promos was "Book of Daniel: It's Blasphe-riffic!"

My biggest beef is the stupid caricature of JC as Whitey the Blue-eyed Starbucks barista. Yes, that's what the churches have been selling as the accessible Jesus, but let's be honest here - Jesus wasn't white.
If he was white he would have been beaten to death long before they could nail him to a tree, because nobody fucking else in Judea looked like that.
Unless he had mad rhyming skills like Eminem... I need to think that one over some more.

For my money, the best portrayal of the divine was in Joan of Arcadia. Sadly, that too was throw on the ash heap of programming, because nobody got voted off the show. (unless you count that dead chick)

Speaking of dead chicks - glad you're not one of them, Di. You will, however, face criminal charges if you again make us wait this long for a new post.

3:15 PM

 

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