Does anybody have any idea what happened to Steven Baldwin? I mean, seriously, its one thing to be a Christian and to live that life to the fullest extent, but it’s something else again to turn into a serious nut job. I get it, that he thinks he’s got to be extra extra hardcore in order to prove to his fellow conservative Christians that he’s not like those “other” Baldwin boys, but really.
In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, Baldwin appeared two days ago at the Values Voters Forum, where, among other things, he declared jihad on-Gossip Girl, the CW television show. For those interested in hearing his remarks in their entirety, this link will take you to the YouTube page where you can view his remarks, separated onto several separate videos.
Now, I want to make it clear, I actually agree with him up to a point. The CW markets this show to young teens and tweens in what many might legitimately say is in very inappropriate ways. The answer to that problem is don’t let your kid watch the show. If it makes you feel better, organize a petition drive and a letter writing campaign and threaten a boycott. Before you do all that, though, watch the show. It might actually not be that bad. It might even be positive on balance.
Okay, I doubt that myself, at least about this show in particular, but here’s the point. Sex sells, and sex is indeed a marketing tool. I’ve heard cars referred to in television ads as sexy. That doesn’t mean auto companies are promoting backseat sex in highway rest stops. Therefore, you shouldn't jump to the conclusion that you can judge all television programs solely by the way in which they are marketed.
I mainly hope this doesn’t turn into another resurgence of advocacy of censorship. That’s one thing I can’t stomach, either from liberal Democrats or from conservative Christians/Republicans. And yes, liberal Democrats have their own particular brand of censorship, which has been over the years actually more successful than the conservative variety. If you don’t believe me, ask Don Imus.
Nor am I against Conservatives/Christians/Republicans pushing for "decent" programming. In fact, I encourage them to do that, and to support them when such programs are aired. I just hope they don't think they should try to saturate the market, nor expect the rest of us to like it if they try.
After all, this holds the danger of turning into another extreme if not held in bounds. Steven Baldwin even made the statement that you shouldn’t watch The Usual Suspects, a show in which he was one of the main stars, and which is one of my all time favorite flicks.
I’ve searched my memory high and low to try to fathom what his reason was for making this very deliberate and serious statement, and I don’t get it. There is no pornography in the film, nor in fact is there any sex whatsoever. I am kind of thinking that this particular segment is what is eating at him.
There is also considerable violence, in addition to cursing, but he himself said at the conference that this was acceptable as long as there was some greater point, because that is how “the world” is, therefore contradicting himself and possibly revealing a degree of self-loathing that is troubling. He even announced he would soon be appearing in such a movie, one that had “cussing” and yet had “values”.
So, what exactly is he getting at here? Is he saying that movies and television should preach values? Isn’t that what these people usually complain about the left doing, using television and film to promote their agendas? How is this any different from a practical perspective?
Frankly, I think he is letting certain people screw around with his head, and I’m not too eager to let them inside my own.
The Usual Suspects was one of the greatest movies ever made, excellently written, directed, acted-you name it. It was one of the most effective and creative crime dramas/mysteries of all time.
When it comes to the movies and television, that's the only kind of "values" that I care about.
1 comment:
Baldwin was always wacky.
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