Editor's note: The lyrics cited in this story may be offensive.
NBC has plummeted to the level of CBS, with a late-night skit that blatantly mocks Christianity by portraying Jesus as a homosexual voyeur, a stunt that would have been instantly condemned nationwide if it had focused on any subject other than Christianity, according to a pro-life leader.
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The show, an episode of "Late Night With Conan O'Brien," was taped and aired this week, and featured a skit with a character called "the homophobic country western singer," according to Douglas R. Scott Jr., the president of Life Decisions International.
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It also was Scott, as WND reported then, who alerted people to the CBS portrayal during the Christmas season of a character singing about sex to the tune of "Joy to the World."
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The latest exhibition by NBC is just as bad, he said.
"The NBC and CBS television networks may be rival corporations, but they have one thing in common," he said. "Both networks have allowed programming that blatantly mocks Christianity."
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He told WND in an interview that the fact that such ridicule is allowed in the U.S. reflects more on Christians than on non-Christians.
"We've been put in the back of society's bus. The bad thing is we're willing to do it. If we responded like blacks, Jews, you name the different groups, homosexuals… If we responded like they do, only in love, this kind of thing wouldn't happen. It wouldn't be tolerated here," he said.
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"I think God will not be mocked," he continued. "But I don't know if Christians who [believe that] think He'll take care of it, and we don't have to do anything. If we speak up for the unborn, if we speak up for any of these issues that have a relationship to Christ, but we don't speak up for Jesus himself, what are we?
"Far too many wear Christian t-shirts to church, but wouldn't wear them to the mall," he said.
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In the latest episode, O'Brien introduces the skit: "Our last new character's heart is in the right place, even if he's a complete idiot. Please welcome … the homophobic country western singer."
Then a middle-aged man wearing western clothes comes out from behind a curtain and starts to play a guitar and sing:
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Oh I love you Jesus
But only as a friend.
You touched my heart but I hope
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That's where the touchin' ends.
You're always lookin' over me
When I need a higher power.
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But you better look at somethin' else
When I'm in the shower.
"The idea that anyone would think about the Son of God in this way is simply appalling," Scott said. "The inferences that permeate the song are utterly disgusting."
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"We wonder if O'Brien's description of the character as a 'complete idiot' is based on the man's 'homophobic' beliefs or if it is because of the inference that Jesus could be sexually interested in seeing the man naked," Scott said. "I don't know if the man is a complete idiot, but I do suspect that the writer of the segment is a complete bigot."
Scott said he's written to Kevin Reilly, president of NBC Entertainment, objecting to the airing of this material.
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"I notice the song was not about a Rabbi. I notice the song was not about Buddha. I notice the song was not about Muhammad. If it had been about any of these, the network would surely have disallowed the airing of such garbage," Scott said in the letter. "But since the song was about Jesus Christ, nothing was done."
Scott's letter was copied to Mr. Robert C. Wright, chairman & CEO of NBC Universal, which owns NBC Entertainment, as well as Jeffrey R. Immelt, chairman & CEO of General Electric, which owns NBC Universal.
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He said consumers interested could add their voice to the discussion by contacting:
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- Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112; phone: (212) 664-4444
- Robert C. Wright, Chairman & CEO, NBC Universal Inc., 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112; phone: (212) 664-4444
- Jeffrey R. Immelt, Chairman & CEO, General Electric Company, 3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 06828; phone: (203) 373-2211
![]() Actors Charlie Sheen, Angus T. Jones, and Jon Cryer (L to R) of 'Two and a Half Men' on CBS |
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In the earlier attack by CBS, the American Family Association said the network should apologize for tainting the Christmas carol with lyrics that spoke of taking advantage of a woman.
On the Dec. 11 episode of "Two and a Half Men," actor Charlie Sheen was shown lighting candles and adjusting Christmas decorations, apparently in preparation for a party.
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He's singing the melody of "Joy To The World," but the words have been altered to:
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Joy to the world
I'm getting laid
I'm getting laid tonight.
We'll light the Yule log
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Deck the halls
And then we'll play some
Jingle balls.
It's been a real long wait
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This is our second date
It's Christmas Eve
And I'm getting laid.
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The Tupelo, Miss.-based AFA said that's unacceptable to the vast majority of Christians. The association, with millions of supporters, takes Christian stands on gambling, "gays," pornography and abortion, and many other social issues. Its previous boycott promotions have been credited with having an impact on corporate behavior in America.
"CBS approved Sheen's adaptation of the favorite Christmas carol, making it into a vulgar sex song," said Donald E. Wildmon, chairman of the group. "The network and sponsors paid Sheen to mock Christ, Christmas and Christians. Many in the Christian community are growing tired of this bigotry by the networks and Hollywood."
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After Sheen sang the song, his housekeeper/cook comes into the room and asks:
"Hey, I'm mixing up the eggnog. You want this broad lit up or just slightly glowing?"
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"Well," says Sheen. "Let's see. We're celebrating peace on earth and good will towards all mankind, so let's get 'er plowed!"
"Hallelujah!" said the cook.
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Scott had called the song "an affront to all of Christendom," and said the network should not have allowed Sheen "to change the lyrics of 'Joy to the World' into a song that could be called, 'Joy to Fornication.'"
Following that broadcast, LDI asked consumers to contact:
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- Leslie Moonves, CBS Corporation, 51 W. 52nd St., New York, NY 10019; phone: 212-975-4321.
- Sumner M. Redstone, National Amusements Inc., 200 Elm St., Dedham, MA 02026; phone: 781-461-1600.
"It's more of the same," Scott said of the O'Brien stunt. "It is not proper to denigrate the belief systems of anyone – except those who believe Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God. It is time for Christians to speak out and stop being timid when such things occur. It is time that all people of good will, whether Christian or not, stand up against such bigotry. It is time for this kind of behavior to come to a halt. Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and other groups do not tolerate such prejudice. Christians should not have to do so, either."
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