Three network television shows this week featured lines that were offensive to Catholics.
In the December 13 episode of the CBS sitcom, “Becker,” there was a segment about a Christmas pageant that revolved around Joseph and Mary. Dr. Becker, played by Ted Danson, at one point told the man dressed as Joseph, “You told the ‘Virgin Mary’ she had a nice ass, didn’t you?”
In the December 13 episode of the NBC show, “Suddenly Susan,” employees were complaining about their Christmas party. “These drinks are totally watered down,” said one character. To which it was said, “I get a better buzz during Communion.”
In the December 15 episode of the NBC show, “West Wing,” the subject was hate crime legislation. A discussion took place about the murder of a gay man in the mid-west by three young men. “They made him say Hail Marys as they beat him to death,” said a character. She then commented how this crime was really about “racism, or sexism or anti-Semitism or homophobia that are only the tip of the iceberg of the pathology troubling this country.”
Catholic League president William Donohue commented as follows:
“All of these attacks were done intentionally and were timed to offend at Christmastime. Researchers who have studied those who work in senior positions in Hollywood shed light on what’s behind this. We know that most of them have no religion and many of them find it impossible not to bash religion. Their favorite target is, of course, Catholicism, and this is the time of the year when their bigotry gets uncorked. Notice, too, how phony they are: they loathe attacks on blacks, women, gays and Jews. But Catholics—they are fair game. We will contact CBS and NBC about this.”
