'The Walking Dead' Premiere Didn't Go Down Well With Conservative Groups

[ABX]

Just like those of us who oppose Trump on moral grounds are accused of being 'Ned Flanders types' ...

No, as I stated above re my reference to Ned Flanders, that isn't about having morals, it is about using the hammer of government to force every single minutia of your personal standards on everyone else.

Something I know you oppose. You aren't a Ned Flanders type.

[sneakypete]

The problem is when we quote you, there's nothing there....... it's blank.  It makes it harder to respond to, not harder to read.  I have to go back and find your original post to make sure I'm not misquoting you, rather than seeing it in the quote.

It's not that big a deal, but it causes confusion for people responding to you and wanting to be accurate.

That was my only point.

Ok,sorry. I didn't realize that was happening. I try to remember to not do it again.

[mountaineer]

I have no idea who Ned Flanders may be. Perhaps I should spend more time glued to the TV screen.

[musiclady]

I have no idea who Ned Flanders may be. Perhaps I should spend more time glued to the TV screen.

I had to look him up.  He's a cartoon, but he's apparently designed to make Christians look bad.   

[Idaho_Cowboy]

I had to look him up.  He's a cartoon, but he's apparently designed to make Christians look bad.   

A lot of people find it funny, but the Simpsons have not been the greatest influence on society....

[musiclady]

A lot of people find it funny, but the Simpsons have not been the greatest influence on society....

I think that's the goal.  Entertainment doesn't reflect society.  It drives it.

[ABX]

A lot of people find it funny, but the Simpsons have not been the greatest influence on society....

They aren't an influence, they are a reflection of what society is. Just like much of Shakespeare, when really read, is a crude parody of the times (not that I'm comparing the Simpsons to Shakespeare in the sense of importance or quality). Much of Mark Twain's writing, along with Ben Franklin under his many pseudonyms served the same purpose. All three of those examples, for their times, were considered by many crude or offensive.

Some current shows like The Simpsons and South Park, as two examples, often reflect what is happening in society, whether we like it or not, and they can be more than entertainment but should get us to think about what we are becoming.

[ABX]

I have no idea who Ned Flanders may be. Perhaps I should spend more time glued to the TV screen.

http://www.simpsonsworld.com/video/250523203904

[musiclady]

They aren't an influence, they are a reflection of what society is. Just like much of Shakespeare, when really read, is a crude parody of the times (not that I'm comparing the Simpsons to Shakespeare in the sense of importance or quality). Much of Mark Twain's writing, along with Ben Franklin under his many pseudonyms served the same purpose. All three of those examples, for their times, were considered by many crude or offensive.

Some current shows like The Simpsons and South Park, as two examples, often reflect what is happening in society, whether we like it or not, and they can be more than entertainment but should get us to think about what we are becoming.

I completely disagree.  Children who watch TV a lot (which is most kids) grow up thinking that deviancy is normal and that Christians are stupid. 

TV and movies have contributed to the degradation of morals in this culture,  and are not just a reflection of what already exists.

[XenaLee]

I have a right to share my opinion and I will. "I watched an episode and didn't like it" was the only thing I was going to post until I saw all the hate and filth sent towards those of us with standards.

Well....and there it is.   

I happen to like the show, despite the blood and gore, which I look past and try my best to ignore.  I love the cast and the writing and the survival theme.

That said....I don't consider the show to be ok for children to view.  The original reason I posted is because I'm FTFU with parents that don't bother to monitor (or care) what their precious spawn is doing or watching....and then only AFTER they find out do they screech for censorship.   Who the hell are 'they' to decide what I can or can not watch??? 

Bottom line, I'm against censorship.  These same types that would eliminate The Walking Dead from television viewing would no doubt then go on to censor other shows they didn't 'like'.  What's next?  Book burning?  It's all the same brand of idiotic fascism.  And I don't take kindly or well these days.... to aholes trying to dictate to me....
about ANY thing.

[sneakypete]

I had to look him up.  He's a cartoon, but he's apparently designed to make Christians look bad.   

@musiclady

Then you were looking in the wrong places. Ned's goal was to be an actual Christian neighbor to play off on Homer and Bart. The whole good/devout versus the bad (not really evil,just stupid and lazy) slacker. He provides contrast between two wildly different characters

Ned is a cartoon Pat Boone. Squeaky clean and devout,but he is not a fire and damnation Christian. He tries to convince people to "see the light" instead of beating on them with a flaming sword and Bible.

More of an earnest dweeb than a bad guy.

[sneakypete]

They aren't an influence, they are a reflection of what society is. Just like much of Shakespeare, when really read, is a crude parody of the times (not that I'm comparing the Simpsons to Shakespeare in the sense of importance or quality). Much of Mark Twain's writing, along with Ben Franklin under his many pseudonyms served the same purpose. All three of those examples, for their times, were considered by many crude or offensive.

Some current shows like The Simpsons and South Park, as two examples, often reflect what is happening in society, whether we like it or not, and they can be more than entertainment but should get us to think about what we are becoming.

BINGO! All in the Family was an early example. Normal Lear wrote it to highlight what  idiots Americans with traditional values are and the danger to society. Archie was supposed to have been a villain,but ended up being one of the most popular characters in TV history. Lear was lucky enough to have struck a gold mine while mining for tin. He was also smart enough and greedy enough (how ironic was THAT?) to take the ball and run with it,and even wrote a couple of spin-offs after the original show ended. It's a damn shame he ever pocketed a dollar from it. If he had any self-respect,he would have given the money to charity. Nobody is quite so pompous as a multi-millionaire producer who beats up on all his employees when it comes to wages to maximize his profits,while preaching that money is evil.

Same thing with Caroll O'Connor,a rabid kneejerk leftie in his private life.

[sneakypete]

I completely disagree.  Children who watch TV a lot (which is most kids) grow up thinking that deviancy is normal and that Christians are stupid. 

@musiclady

Only because they are children and don't understand the word "delusional" yet.

[sneakypete]

@XenaLee

Bottom line, I'm against censorship.  These same types that would eliminate The Walking Dead from television viewing would no doubt then go on to censor other shows they didn't 'like'.  What's next?  Book burning?  It's all the same brand of idiotic fascism.

Yes,and it hasn't been that long ago actual books and musical records were being burned in public,and the Thumpers were screaming for the government to pass laws to outlaw books they didn't like,and to ban rock and roll music because it was "de music ob de debbil!"

I remember seeing this on the tv news and reading it in the papers as it was actually happening.

[ABX]

I had to look him up.  He's a cartoon, but he's apparently designed to make Christians look bad.   

Actually, when you get down to it, he doesn't make Christians look bad. Yes, he is Mr. Censorship (he was worse earlier in the show's life) but when you get down to his character, he is the one trustworthy, honest, and decent guy there. He is Homer's best friend. The show basically shows several extremes, not middle of the road, so it will show the extreme of someone who is churchy (for lack of a better term) but it also shows him without any real vice to honestly tries to do right.

It is like the Jesus character in South Park. Many were very offended they had Jesus on the show, but they never insulted him. He was a very likable character and kind of sad because they made a point he didn't have friends (many at least), but he is always the one who saved the day when he was in an episode.

[SZonian]

Yes,and it hasn't been that long ago actual books and musical records were being burned in public,and the Thumpers were screaming for the government to pass laws to outlaw books they didn't like,and to ban rock and roll music because it was "de music ob de debbil!"

I remember seeing this on the tv news and reading it in the papers as it was actually happening.

The Moral Majority along with Tipper Gore and her cabal of anti-rock harpies...didn't say anything about NWA or "Sexual healing" by Marvin Gaye...nope.

[XenaLee]

Yes,and it hasn't been that long ago actual books and musical records were being burned in public,and the Thumpers were screaming for the government to pass laws to outlaw books they didn't like,and to ban rock and roll music because it was "de music ob de debbil!"

I remember seeing this on the tv news and reading it in the papers as it was actually happening.

One of my favorite classic SciFi flicks is Fahrenheit 451.   It's scary just how much more possible that scenario seems now than it did back then.

[sneakypete]

The Moral Majority along with Tipper Gore and her cabal of anti-rock harpies...didn't say anything about NWA or "Sexual healing" by Marvin Gaye...nope.

@SZonian

I had forgotten about that whore Tipsy and her alleged "Moral Crusade".

What I remember seeing and hearing as a kid were the book and record burnings by fundie preachers,and their demands that Elvis,Jerry Lee Lewis,and the others be banned from the air waves because they were playing "devil music". They were doing all this in "The name of GAWD!",just like if there really was a God he would have to have idiots like that do it for him because he wasn't able to do it himself.

Truth to tell,it was all in the name of "donations" to the preachers Cadillac Fund.

[sneakypete]

One of my favorite classic SciFi flicks is Fahrenheit 451.   It's scary just how much more possible that scenario seems now than it did back then.

@XenaLee

True. People are basically sheep,looking for a sheepherder to lead the way for them and tell them what to do. All it takes is someone with a ton of charisma and no morals at all. Bubba Bill would have been the most successful  preacher in the US if he hadn't gone into politics.

[Cripplecreek]

Gratuitous

Beloved characters die on the show all the time but there seemed to be particular joy taken by writers in making these 2 deaths as gruesome as possible.

The execution of Lizzy was some pretty extreme television but there was an understandable reason behind it and they didn't actually show it.

I guess for me, sometimes leaving more to imagination is far better viewing.

[bigheadfred]

Gratuitous

Beloved characters die on the show all the time but there seemed to be particular joy taken by writers in making these 2 deaths as gruesome as possible.

The execution of Lizzy was some pretty extreme television but there was an understandable reason behind it and they didn't actually show it.

I guess for me, sometimes leaving more to imagination is far better viewing.

I had a coworker describing one while I was eating lunch. I told him I had heard enough. He kept on and I had to insist. Seriously, I've heard enough. (I don't watch the show.)

[ABX]

[musiclady]

Actually, when you get down to it, he doesn't make Christians look bad. Yes, he is Mr. Censorship (he was worse earlier in the show's life) but when you get down to his character, he is the one trustworthy, honest, and decent guy there. He is Homer's best friend. The show basically shows several extremes, not middle of the road, so it will show the extreme of someone who is churchy (for lack of a better term) but it also shows him without any real vice to honestly tries to do right.

It is like the Jesus character in South Park. Many were very offended they had Jesus on the show, but they never insulted him. He was a very likable character and kind of sad because they made a point he didn't have friends (many at least), but he is always the one who saved the day when he was in an episode.

Well, I'll take your word for it @AbaraXas, since I don't watch the show, and I just based what I said on what was in wiki.......... and they're not entirely reliable.

Actually, the last cartoon I watched regularly was Animaniacs with my teenaged kids back in the late 90's.  Spielberg........ VERY funny.

FWIW, I was raising kids during the 80's and 90's when TV and movies lost control of themselves.  The difference between the language and behavior of small children between the mid 80's and mid 90's was remarkable.

When our oldest was in pre-school, not a kid used foul language.  By the time our youngest started pre-school, 4 and 5 year olds used the "f" word and the "s" word with regularity.

They weren't the influencers.  They were the influenced.  Entertainment debased culture.  Without a doubt.  I watched it happen.  With horror.

[bigheadfred]

That is IT! (what he said) I have enough horror in my own life to go looking for more. I understand the need for people to be desensitized, for the corruption of their being. It isn't for me.

[musiclady]

Well....and there it is.   

I happen to like the show, despite the blood and gore, which I look past and try my best to ignore.  I love the cast and the writing and the survival theme.

That said....I don't consider the show to be ok for children to view.  The original reason I posted is because I'm FTFU with parents that don't bother to monitor (or care) what their precious spawn is doing or watching....and then only AFTER they find out do they screech for censorship.   Who the hell are 'they' to decide what I can or can not watch??? 

Bottom line, I'm against censorship.  These same types that would eliminate The Walking Dead from television viewing would no doubt then go on to censor other shows they didn't 'like'.  What's next?  Book burning?  It's all the same brand of idiotic fascism.  And I don't take kindly or well these days.... to aholes trying to dictate to me....
about ANY thing.

I've got to object to this statement strongly.

You assume that parents are with their children every minute of every day.  Not so.

Kids can be at a neighbor's house, have a baby sitter, or be changing the channel when you're in another room.

Attacking parents who don't want horror on the screen because they're not being good parents is a faulty.  Unless you expect parents to be with their children 24/7 and never leave the house, you can't make the blanket condemnation you're making.

And, IMO, attacking parents who want disgusting material off the air by calling it censorship is also not fair.  I think it's important for people who care about culture rot to continue to speak up.

Unless you want to censor us???

I agree with you on most things @XenaLee , but I take strong exception on this one.