Any shows you won't watch because of private life scandals?

[ToeInTheWater]

Not exactly the same, but my husband grew up a fan of Penn State football, even though he never went there and neither did any members of his family. Ever since their scandal he has been looking for another college team. It really shook him up, actually.

I have a hard time with pro sports because of the criminal records of some of the athletes. I will still watch our home teams, but I don’t let any merchandise come into our home for specific players who have criminal records - especially for domestic violence.

I strugle with this as well. Certainly I don’t want to make the mistake of tarring everyone with the same brush. Not all pro athletes are womanizing, abusive criminals, some are actually devout Christians who actually do practice their beliefs. (Though of course, many of the womanizing abusive types also claim to be Christian.)

And it’s also interesting that pro sports is one of the few “mainstream” types of entertainment that don’t bend over backward to be gay-friendly; this may eventually change, but so far the Michael Sams of the world are still seen as rare exceptions.

It is interesting, though, how many Christians who otherwise shun the “secular” media are still eager sports fans and seem to see no conflict with supporting some athlete who has 8 kids by 5 different women, or keep being caught for DUI, or smoke pot on a regular basis (of course not all Christians would find that sinful, but it seems most still do).

But I also think, in terms of the athletes with criminal records still having jobs – I think it’s actually hypocritical to rail against that, unless you’re also suggesting NO ONE with a criminal record should ever be able to work in a high-paying profession. If an investment banker is jailed for beating up his wife, should he be black-balled from working? Of course not.

 

[mafh]

On the other hand, I also realize that if I decide to stop watching ANY show because some actor or show host who stars in it, did something morally questionable, I might as well stop watching “secular” media altogether. Certainly I should stop watching any professional sports teams.

Sometimes, I think you have to seperate the product from the person that made it. Otherwise, you’re in a continuous spiral like you described.

Having said that, I found that Seventh Heaven and especially The Cosby Show took on a really creepy vibe after the revelations that made them no longer enjoyable. The bedroom scenes with Mr. And Mrs. Huxtable, for example, now make Cosby look creepily oversexed rather than romantic. I don’t think there is anything immoral or unethical about enjoying these shows, though… It’s really just a matter of whether you can suspend disbelief, forget about who the actors are, and just enjoy the show.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

I find interesting when I examine whether my own “turn-offs” are arbitrary or not. Some private “sins” don’t affect my viewing experience negatively at all, some do.

For example, I watch Food Network quite often, and I know Ted Allen, host of the cooking competition show “Chopped”, is gay, though it’s hardly ever mentioned in the show itself – once in a while, if a contestant also happens to be gay he might make a point of finding Ted attractive. However, I know from other sources that he got his start on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and has a husband, but I really don’t think about it much. And I really don’t care much if the contestants are gay, either.

On the other hand, a spinoff show, “Chopped Canada” (same concept but set in Canada), is hosted by Dean McDermott. I cannot stand to watch him, knowing he cheated on first wife with Tori Spelling, played up the whole “Happy Loving Family” shtick to the hilt on their reality TV shows, then wound up cheating on Tori too.

This is even though I actually don’t find Tori that sympathetic either, considering she also cheated on her first spouse, and also turned the Dean cheating scandal into fodder for yet another Reality TV show, and I really do wonder if the whole thing really did hurt her as much as she claimed.

But still, I change the channel when “Chopped Canada” comes on. Arbitrary? Inconsistent? I guess. But I certainly don’t think “if I overlook Ted Allen’s sins then I have to overlook Dean McDermott’s sins too”.

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

I find interesting when I examine whether my own “turn-offs” are arbitrary or not. Some private “sins” don’t affect my viewing experience negatively at all, some do.

For example, I watch Food Network quite often, and I know Ted Allen, host of the cooking competition show “Chopped”, is gay, though it’s hardly ever mentioned in the show itself – once in a while, if a contestant also happens to be gay he might make a point of finding Ted attractive. However, I know from other sources that he got his start on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and has a husband, but I really don’t think about it much. And I really don’t care much if the contestants are gay, either.

On the other hand, a spinoff show, “Chopped Canada” (same concept but set in Canada), is hosted by Dean McDermott. I cannot stand to watch him, knowing he cheated on first wife with Tori Spelling, played up the whole “Happy Loving Family” shtick to the hilt on their reality TV shows, then wound up cheating on Tori too.

This is even though I actually don’t find Tori that sympathetic either, considering she also cheated on her first spouse, and also turned the Dean cheating scandal into fodder for yet another Reality TV show, and I really do wonder if the whole thing really did hurt her as much as she claimed.

But still, I change the channel when “Chopped Canada” comes on. Arbitrary? Inconsistent? I guess. But I certainly don’t think “if I overlook Ted Allen’s sins then I have to overlook Dean McDermott’s sins too”.

I don’t like chopped Canada much either. I just find it not as exciting as the regular Chopped.

 

[Peebo]

I can’t stand watching any of those “reality” shows…total garbage…I watch what I want for the entertainment…if I don’t like a certain genre…or actor then I don’t watch…I don’t sit on my righteous throne judging the actors personal lifestyle…eg…Mel Gibson…he might be a real stinker in his personal life…that’s not for me to judge…I enjoy him as an actor and the movies he is in…and that’s it…I don’t pontificate about an actors religious…political…lifestyle…or whatever beliefs or views…I have my own beliefs and views on many issues…I watch what I want because I enjoy the entertainment…and don’t watch what I don’t enjoy…pretty simple formula.

 

[oneofmany]

I know a lot of vets would go to anything Jane Fonda is in, they don’t want to support her with their money, etc.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

I know a lot of vets would go to anything Jane Fonda is in, they don’t want to support her with their money, etc.

I’ve heard that too. Some also boycotted CNN, TBS, and TNT while Ted Turner was married to Jane.

And I totally understand that way of thinking as well. Now obviously we could argue about “how bad does behavior have to be to deserve a boycott” or even state that every single popular media program has SOMEONE profiting from it who is immoral.

But of course, this “why are you singling out THIS sin vs another” could be used to essentially silence all such protests about, well any cause. And ironically, many on the Right used that excuse to defend the Duggars and argue their show should remain on the air.

 

[utah_rose]

Not exactly the same, but my husband grew up a fan of Penn State football, even though he never went there and neither did any members of his family. Ever since their scandal he has been looking for another college team. It really shook him up, actually.

I have a hard time with pro sports because of the criminal records of some of the athletes. I will still watch our home teams, but I don’t let any merchandise come into our home for specific players who have criminal records - especially for domestic violence.

That’s one reason I don’t watch football, basketball etc. but especially football. It seemed at one time the players were more honorable, but there’s so much criminal activity going on among the players and cheating that I don’t respect them as individuals. That, and in football the cheerleaders. Guess what I’m saying is I admire players who have good character.

 

[utah_rose]

I’ve heard that too. Some also boycotted CNN, TBS, and TNT while Ted Turner was married to Jane.

And I totally understand that way of thinking as well. Now obviously we could argue about “how bad does behavior have to be to deserve a boycott” or even state that every single popular media program has SOMEONE profiting from it who is immoral.

But of course, this “why are you singling out THIS sin vs another” could be used to essentially silence all such protests about, well any cause. And ironically, many on the Right used that excuse to defend the Duggars and argue their show should remain on the air.

I’ve never ever watched the Duggars, but wonder if the media is going after them because they were supposedly a Christian family, and see, all Christians are hypocrites. Josh’s actions are terrible, but didn’t Jesus also say, “he who is without sin, cast the first stone”? And how ironic is it that some of the media may have worse sins then theirs.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

I’ve never ever watched the Duggars, but wonder if the media is going after them because they were supposedly a Christian family, and see, all Christians are hypocrites. Josh’s actions are terrible, but didn’t Jesus also say, “he who is without sin, cast the first stone”? And how ironic is it that some of the media may have worse sins then theirs.

I don’t want to get into the whole Duggar debate again here, there’s been literally pages and pages of that on CAF already. Probably enough for a full-length novel if it all got printed out.

I personally think that while some media members likely did have ulterior motives, child sexual abuse is a sin that unfortunately crosses all demographics, including religious and political ones. I’m also glad the show was cancelled, for the sake of all the innocent kids on that show, who’d have had to deal with even more of a media circus if the show went on.

I felt the same away about the Gosselins even though there was really no political aspect to that sex scandal – their show eventually did come back as “Kate Plus 8”, but at least the kids got a few years out of the spotlight. (BTW, while the Gosselins choosing to have all 6 sextuplets instead of opting for “selective reduction” is laudable, I don’t even know if they are actually “pro-life”. Even if they are, I don’t recall that ever mentioned on the show.)

My main point was more that, if those on the “conservative” side reserve the right to organize a boycott, or even just refuse to watch, certain programs because of “sins” of those involved, then those on the “liberal” side do as well.

 

[Trident_H]

I will honestly say that even if any of the Duggars eventually make their way back to Reality TV, I have no intention of watching them again. But on the other hand, I have seen the Bringing Up Bates show on the UP network, which I do feel a little guilty about. On one hand, there have been no scandals about the Bates, and they haven’t really discussed the Duggars in public. But on the other hand, not only do they subscribe to similar beliefs, I’ve heard they still socialize with the Duggars, and invited them to Michaela Bates’ wedding. (Though that doesn’t mean the Duggars got any TV cameos out of that.)

I also personally don’t care to watch any episodes of Seventh Heaven, though that is still in re-runs (on the UP Network, actually). Or the Cosby Show. Or any Woody Allen movies. And I quit watching David Letterman when it turned out he was guilty not only of serial acts of adultery, but serial acts of sexual harassment – even if all the women technically consented, there’s an obvious power imbalance there.

On the other hand, I also realize that if I decide to stop watching ANY show because some actor or show host who stars in it, did something morally questionable, I might as well stop watching “secular” media altogether. Certainly I should stop watching any professional sports teams.

(I say “secular” since I’ve noticed that EWTN, for example, is pretty quick to remove from the air, any hosts caught in scandal such as Fr. Corapi and Fr. Stone. They also were quick to pull Fr. Groeschel and Fr. Pavone though neither actually did anything sinful AFAIK).

Obviously, many many celebrities are guilty of adultery, drug abuse, DUI, etc. Though to me there’s a big difference between adultery by itself, and acts of sexual assault and abuse. And in the cases of Cosby and Allen, one could argue that there’s no proof they are actually guilty of the crimes they were accused of.

Of course in the end, no one is owed an audience. But am I just being arbitrary here?

Wow, you have a lot of hands!

 

[ToeInTheWater]

Wow, you have a lot of hands!

Yeah, I guess if I wanted to star in my own TLC Reality TV show, I could! Or at least wrangle a one-time appearance on some talk show.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

I will honestly say that even if any of the Duggars eventually make their way back to Reality TV, I have no intention of watching them again. But on the other hand, I have seen the Bringing Up Bates show on the UP network, which I do feel a little guilty about. On one hand, there have been no scandals about the Bates, and they haven’t really discussed the Duggars in public. But on the other hand, not only do they subscribe to similar beliefs, I’ve heard they still socialize with the Duggars, and invited them to Michaela Bates’ wedding. (Though that doesn’t mean the Duggars got any TV cameos out of that.)

I might stop watching a show out of protest but more likely I’d stop because I can’t enjoy a show anymore because I’m distracted by what ever scandal is brewing. I only saw a few eps of the Duggars and none with the Bates (I don’t have cable, etc.) but I might not be able watch the Bates’ show the same way.

(…)

Of course in the end, no one is owed an audience. But am I just being arbitrary here?

I can’t read your mind but if the enjoyment of a show or event is sullied by information about someone who plays a pivotal role I don’t think it’s arbitrary.

I can’t stand watching any of those “reality” shows…total garbage…I watch what I want for the entertainment…if I don’t like a certain genre…or actor then I don’t watch…I don’t sit on my righteous throne judging the actors personal lifestyle…eg…Mel Gibson…he might be a real stinker in his personal life…that’s not for me to judge…I enjoy him as an actor and the movies he is in…and that’s it…I don’t pontificate about an actors religious…political…lifestyle…or whatever beliefs or views…I have my own beliefs and views on many issues…I watch what I want because I enjoy the entertainment…and don’t watch what I don’t enjoy…pretty simple formula.

I used to watch Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ" on during Lent or on Good Friday and a few times the news associated with him would pop into my head. I chose to ignore it because 1.) the movie wasn’t about him and 2.) a lot of people appear to hate him just because he’s a Christian.

Someone mentioned Ferris Beuller’s Day Off; I can’t watch it without remembering that the actor who played the principal is a sex offender and his victim was high school aged. It ruins it; well, not the whole thing but a significant part. Information that is tucked away and comes forward when there is a reminder. So for some it’s not as simple as watching what we want to watch and not watching what we don’t want to watch.

 

[pensmama87]

That’s one reason I don’t watch football, basketball etc. but especially football. It seemed at one time the players were more honorable, but there’s so much criminal activity going on among the players and cheating that I don’t respect them as individuals. That, and in football the cheerleaders. Guess what I’m saying is I admire players who have good character.

Yeah, football seems to be the biggie. At least so far, the other pro sports teams around here have nothing more serious than underage drinking, that I’m aware of.