"GCB"??? Really?

[indianasmith]

Apparently this is the latest ABC installment about lying, adulterous, backstabbing women and the men who love them, hyped up as the next "Desperate Housewives" (or, as I called that show after watching the pilot episode, "The Joys of Adultery.")  Just one small difference - instead of bored suburban Yuppies,  this group of catfighting females all belong to the same megachurch, and one of them is the Pastor's wife.

And the title?  It's initialized because the title of the book it's based on didn't make it past the network censors.

"Good Christian b***hes"

Now, I'm a grown guy, and I've long accepted that Hollywood does not share my Christian worldview and values, and I'm really OK with that.  I mean, B-movies would be pretty boring if they were all made Safe For Sunday School.

But .  . . really?

Would they make a prime time TV show and call it "Nice Jewish Sluts"?

Or, "Sweet Muslim Whores"?

Of course not.  Protests would come flooding in, they would lose sponsors, and, if they used my second example, someone would probably blow up the studio, or kidnap the producer and cut off his head.

And yet it is perfectly acceptable, chic, and funny to use Christianity as a punching bag AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.   The fact is that it's not creative, it's not funny, and it's frankly offensive to many Americans.

But hey, keep it coming.  After all, we're supposed to turn the other cheek.

Jerks.

[Flick James]

Muslims are frequently portrayed as automatic terrorists.
Irish people are frequently portrayed as having ties to the IRA.
Russians are routinely portrayed as violent, soulless criminals.
And how many times have Italians been assumed to have mob ties?

Get over it.

But yeah, it looks like a dumb show.

[HappyGilmore]

I thought all Irishmen just hung out at bars? How are they tied to the IRA?

[Flick James]

I thought all Irishmen just hung out at bars? How are they tied to the IRA?

BA-ZING! See? I'm not offended. You just may want to avoid starting your car next time.

[indianasmith]

I'm not organizing a boycott or anything.  I just get tired of it.

Let me take another tack on it -

When was the last time a movie or TV series out of Hollywood portrayed Christians in a positive light?
It happens, but rarely.  I'd say about 10-1 at best.

And for the record, Muslims are portrayed as terrorists frequently because Muslims frequently are terrorists.
Not all of them, by any means, but enough to make it more than just a stereotype.

Dunno about Russians or Irish, though.  All the ones I've met were first-rate folks!

[HappyGilmore]

I thought all Irishmen just hung out at bars? How are they tied to the IRA?

BA-ZING! See? I'm not offended. You just may want to avoid starting your car next time.

Good thing I don't have a car and walk to work instead.

[Jack]

Muslims are frequently portrayed as automatic terrorists.

I really think anyone working in Hollywood who suggested that Muslims be portrayed as terrorists would probably be ridden out of town on a rail.

[Flick James]

When was the last time a movie or TV series out of Hollywood portrayed Christians in a positive light?
It happens, but rarely.  I'd say about 10-1 at best.

In the last 10-20 years? Let's see.

Movies I've seen that portray Christian faith, values, people, or communities in a positive light:
Junebug (2005)
Cinderella Man (2005)
The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
Spider-Man (2002)
The Rookie (2002)
Signs (2002)
World Trade Center (2006)
Amazing Grace (2006)
Rudy (1993)
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
The Passion of the Christ (2004)

I can go on. Negative portrayals of religion abound, this is true, but there are plenty of positive portrayals, Indy. Methinks you are taking the martyr angle here.

[AndyC]

My wife mentioned something about "GCB" the other day, and I had no idea what it was. This was the first thing that came to mind:

I suppose it does refer to some kind of hoes.

[indianasmith]

When was the last time a movie or TV series out of Hollywood portrayed Christians in a positive light?
It happens, but rarely.  I'd say about 10-1 at best.

In the last 10-20 years? Let's see.

Movies I've seen that portray Christian faith, values, people, or communities in a positive light:
Junebug (2005)
Cinderella Man (2005)
The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
Spider-Man (2002)
The Rookie (2002)
Signs (2002)
World Trade Center (2006)
Amazing Grace (2006)
Rudy (1993)
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
The Passion of the Christ (2004)

I can go on. Negative portrayals of religion abound, this is true, but there are plenty of positive portrayals, Indy. Methinks you are taking the martyr angle here.

Point taken, although SPIDERMAN is a bit of a stretch, I think!

Still don't like GCB, though.  The name in and of itself is offensive, and shows Hollywood's double standard.  They might show other faiths in a negative light, too - but I don't think they'd slap a title like this on any other religion.

[Mofo Rising]

I would take the opposite viewpoint.

The reason that Christianity can be lampooned with such excess is because that this country is predominately Christian. Don't fool yourself that you're feeling attacked, the vast majority of people in this country still consider themselves Christian.

The reason you could not put a show on like this that features either Jewish or Muslim people is because they are still marginalized in American culture.

More bluntly, almost every movie is a celebration of "middle-American" Christian values. The only reason you don't notice is because it's the water we're swimming in.

So view it as a triumph of Christianity. You may not like it, but the fact that Christiantiy is one of the few religions that people think they can make fun of with impunity is an example of it's ubiquity, at least in this country.

And if you can't stand a little bit of ribbing, well, I only have so much respect I'm willing to give.

"f**k 'em if they can't take a joke."

[indianasmith]

I do see your point.  Not entirely sure I agree, though.  This nation today is probably less Christian than it has been in any point in its history - although I will concede it is still more Christian than most.
I still find the constant barbs from Hollywood tiresome, though.

[Flick James]

I TOTALLY agree with Mofo here.

"Turning the other cheek" is what you should do. I'm not Christian, but I can see when a principle is solid regardless of its source. For example, before the existence of this thread, I had no knowledge of the show, and would have no interest in it anyway. But now, because of this thread, I am more likely to watch an episode. I will bet dollars to doughnuts that outrage is exactly what the producers of the show depend on. You just advertised their show for free.

And, as Mofo said, look at the bright side. Look at Mormonism. It is on the rise and is experiencing an almost "cool" perception, and you can thank the success of shows like Big Love, that largely portrayed many dark aspects of the faith. The fact that this show exists is ultimately good for Christianity. I would probably find the show more annoying than you and I'm not Christian.

And if you're looking for me to bemoan a decrease in religion in the world, you're barking up the wrong tree. It's all about perspective. I'm not religious, and I see the Christian right as constantly encroaching on my life. I am more exposed to Christian faith and morals now than I ever remember 30 years ago.

[tracy]

I have to agree with Indy....the title itself turns me off and I am also bothered by what they are doing. However,I intend to simply not watch it since I have no control what they put on tv and what is or isn't popular.
Now,we avidly watch "Blue Bloods" which portrays a very close family with definite Christian values. Granted,they are Catholic and I am not,but I like how they interact with one another and the positive morals they espouse.

[alandhopewell]

I TOTALLY agree with Mofo here.

"Turning the other cheek" is what you should do. I'm not Christian, but I can see when a principle is solid regardless of its source. For example, before the existence of this thread, I had no knowledge of the show, and would have no interest in it anyway. But now, because of this thread, I am more likely to watch an episode. I will bet dollars to doughnuts that outrage is exactly what the producers of the show depend on. You just advertised their show for free.

And, as Mofo said, look at the bright side. Look at Mormonism. It is on the rise and is experiencing an almost "cool" perception, and you can thank the success of shows like Big Love, that largely portrayed many dark aspects of the faith. The fact that this show exists is ultimately good for Christianity. I would probably find the show more annoying than you and I'm not Christian.

And if you're looking for me to bemoan a decrease in religion in the world, you're barking up the wrong tree. It's all about perspective. I'm not religious, and I see the Christian right as constantly encroaching on my life. I am more exposed to Christian faith and morals now than I ever remember 30 years ago.

     JOOC, in what way do we "encroach" upon your life? Because we wish to share with the rest of humanity a wonderful blessing?

     We don't hold rusty butcher knives to people's throats, to bend them to our will....THAT'S encroachment.