The question we raised was whether the show was offensive. To Christians. Neither of us consider ourselves to be Christians, but we're like that. We talk about things. We try to be sensitive, even if we sometimes fail.
In case you are not aware, G.C.B. stands for "Good Christian Belles." Of course, it really stands for "Good Christian Bitches." The show is based on Kim Gatlin's book by that name. It's a "Desperate Housewives"-like satire about a bunch of women in Dallas who mask their nastiness and greed and hypocrisy in their Christian faith.
Do people like that exist? Hell yeah. Are all Christians like that? Hell no. So how would it feel to be Christian and see that title on a show on ABC?
I tried to put myself in the shoes of a Christian person. How would I feel if a show came out called "Buncha Gay Fags" or "Flighty Gay Hairdressers?" And do I need to maybe chill out on this sensitivity thing? Is it maybe okay that we all get our feelings hurt by things we see reflected in our culture?
I really don't know, and neither did Chuck. It's a tricky one. Here are some of the things we came up with:
1. Maybe it matters who writes the show. "Flighty Gay Hairdressers," if written by a bunch of campy gay guys, could be awesome. Who wouldn't want to sit in a salon with a bunch of bitchy queens for a half hour every week? Okay, don't answer that, but you have to admit, the show could have its moments. On the other hand, if that show was written by straight people (remember "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry?" Ick), I'd feel differently about it. Of course, in this case, even if star Kristin Chenowith is a Christian, you can be sure this show was NOT written by Christians. So it's a case of people from one group poking fun at another. I don't love that. The book, for what it's worth, is a case of a Christian person poking fun at a group she belongs to. That's different.
2. But the characters in this show (and their hypocrisy) is something that we should look at! Well, I agree. I think all hypocrisy should be looked at, mine included. Which is why we're having this conversation in the first place. Why is it okay for me to laugh while watching a show that stereotypes Christians, when I would be super sanctimonious if (when) a bunch of non-gay people sat around and laughed at gay stereotypes? Isn't that hypocrisy, too? So while I am entertained by some stereotypes, they do make me uncomfortable. Especially when the characters are not imbued with a level of humanity. The jury is still out on whether these characters will be given some humanity. A little so far, but not much.
3. But Christians deserve it! That seems to be the pervasive argument from many of the folks who adore this show. I don't like that argument. While I agree that organized religion is responsible for much of the mayhem our world is in, I don't think it is fair to group ALL people of a certain religion and vilify them. To me, not ALL Christians are the same. I do think that those who are in positions of power and practice high levels of hypocrisy are some of the world's worst people. I really do think that. But what does that have to do with my neighbor, who wears a cross around his neck and is very friendly? Nothing.
4. I hate being put in the position of agreeing with Newt Gingrich on anything. But I have to say: perhaps he is right when he says this is the most anti-Christian show in television history. The question is whether that matters. I think maybe it does. You certainly couldn't get away with a TV show called "G.M.B." or "G.J.B." Muslims and Jews would not stand for such a thing. So why does the show get something of a pass when it is aimed at Christians?
5. At the same time, it must be said that some of the Christian reaction feels a little overblown. While I agree this is potentially offensive material, to say that this is yet more proof that Christians are "under attack" in the U.S. seems ludicrous to me. When you can't even get elected president in this country without professing your Christianity, I am not buying that argument.
Which is all to say that I am extremely unsure of how I feel about this show. Mostly I'm glad to see something entertaining on TV. There aren't that many shows that I enjoy anymore. But the title makes me queasy. And not in the way "Cougar Town" makes me queasy. This nausea comes from something that just feels a little wrong.
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