November 20, 2001 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org) - An article by L. Brent Bozell titled "Make 'Em Laugh - But How?" on CNSNews.com for November 6, 2001, observes that Americans are watching more prime time television since the September 11 terrorism attacks. Instead of finding this encouraging, Bozell warns against the moral filth that fills prime time television programming today. This secular news reporter is a better preacher than most preachers in fundamentalist pulpits today! Preachers, are you warning people about such wicked things? A large percentage of members in Bible-believing churches regularly watch unwholesome movies and television programs, but most preachers ignore the matter or gloss over it very, very lightly. The average preacher today preaches against sin and error in such a vague manner that there is no conviction and no change in people's lives. America's greatest need is for bold Bible preachers who will proclaim the Word of God plainly, without compromise, and will apply it specifically and effectively to the everyday lives of the people.
Make 'Em Laugh - But How? by L. Brent Bozell III November 6, 2001 CNSNews.com
Families gathered in front of the television set? Sounds good, but before we break out the popcorn, let's ask: What are they watching? ". . . if "Friends" and "Will & Grace" is to be seen as today's version of "the old traditional family experience" -- well, how do I put this gingerly?
I don't. We're sunk.
Gather 'round, boys and girls, and let's watch the Big News on "Friends" this fall: Rachel is pregnant! And she's not married! It's sooo cool!
It was fewer than ten years ago that Dan Quayle created a firestorm by denouncing the celebration of single parenthood on "Murphy Brown" and was shellacked for doing it. But when the silly season of politics was over, the conversation continued and in time, just about everyone - including Bill Clinton and Al Gore -- was agreeing with him.
Now "Friends" is running its torqued-up version. During the family hour. And no one cares.
Maybe it's because it's one of the least objectionable things about this show. The second "Friends" episode this season tried to mine humor from such topics as a porn movie . . . and hotel sex . . . The third episode dealt with Ross and Joey's astonishment that condoms only prevent pregnancy 97 percent of the time. The fourth centered on the videotape of the lovemaking that resulted in Rachel's pregnancy.
In its most recent episode, "Friends" diversified, taking on not one, but two bodily functions. Sure, there were plenty of sex gags, but the real hilarity ensued at a Halloween party when people thought Ross, who was actually wearing a potato costume, had come dressed as...excrement.
"Will & Grace," which airs at 9 o'clock, is, if possible, even worse. With two of the four main characters being homosexual, the writers have, as it were, a larger field to plow. . .
Will prime time ever clean up its act? Probably no time soon. The other night, HBO's R-rated "Sex and the City" won the Emmy for best comedy series. For the networks, this'll be yet another reason to ratchet up the raciness: not only does sex (supposedly) draw viewers, it also wins awards.