I have become increasing concerned about the whole Jerry Springer programme business - not by the programme which doesn't really interest or concern me, but by those who claim to speak on behalf of Christians or Jesus CHrist and who have not in many cases even seen the material.
I increasingly suspect that not only do they do the Church a major diservice by once again being seen as being "against something" - but they possibly have done the very thing the programme makers wanted - provided cheap publicity.
Toby Scott the media wizard at the Methodist Church has seen the stage show ( on which the programme is based) and offers the following reflection.
Jerry Springer the opera
Many people in local churches have received an email concerning an upcoming broadcast of Jerry Springer The Opera, which will be aired by the BBC on 8 January. The email expresses concerns about the content of the programme, and calls on churchgoers to complain to the BBC about the broadcast. The same email forms the basis of an article in today's Sun newspaper.
I went to see the stage production (which was filmed by the BBC for its broadcast). On the basis of what I saw, I offer up the following comments in a bid to shed some light on what the programme is likely to contain. Please note that these are my own views, and not necessarily those of the Methodist Church or Conference.
Contrary to what the email claims, the show does not contain over 8000 profanities (which in itself is no surprise: 8,000 profanities in a two-hour show would require a rate of over one per second.) It had about 98 instances of the F-word, and about 11 of the C-word (and yes - my wife and I sat there and counted), although the latter were all delivered in one quick phrase. Although this is far less than the numbers claimed in the email, it is still enough to cause offence to some.
The show does portray Jesus, the Virgin Mary, Adam and Eve and God as characters on stage, in a scene in which the Devil has forced Jerry Springer to try and arrange a reconciliation between heaven and hell. None of the characters of Jesus, Mary, Adam and Eve or God are shown as sexual deviants. The scene does contain profanity, at least one instance coming from the Jesus character, but the entire tenor of it is, oddly enough, largely in keeping with mainstream theology. When Jesus is accused of being absent from key events, he asks in return why people were absent when he was on the cross. In the end, the Devil's inability accept that he is wrong and unwillingness to change means that he must remain in hell, while Jesus is clearly identified as the saviour of humankind.
There is clearly material here that will cause offence to some. However, the show overall is not deliberately and specifically offensive to Christians. Its barbs are aimed at the society that allows and the people who take part in shows such as Jerry Springer, and support it by watching the channels that show it and buy products from the advertisers who buy time slots. In other words, the satire is aimed at pretty much all of us. Springer's descent into hell and meeting with the holy figures is a dramatic device that allows him to realise some of the error of his ways. Whereas the opening chorus sings "I want to be on TV, choose me Jerry please," at the end the closing lines include "Take care of each other, and yourselves." It is in some ways a journey from selfishness to concern for others.
After seeing the show, I feel that some of the comments from one of the programme makers quoted in the email - that the show pushes the boundaries of taste and decency - sound more like an attempt to whip up interest in what is otherwise a modern opera that will struggle to find much of an audience. I don't want to give the impression that this opera is as innocent as Mary Poppins, but nor is it nearly as bad as some have made it out to be.
It is the policy of the Methodist Church to resist calls to ban or complain about programmes that have not aired. Anyone who feels offended by what they see on TV should complain to the relevant bodies - the BBC itself, Ofcom, or their MP. The Methodist Church will continue to work through bodies such as the Churches Media Council and CRAC to discuss programming and policies on taste and decency.
Jerry Springer The Opera does contain material that some will find offensive. But the language is actually mild compared to some recent broadcasts (such as Not Only But Always on Channel 4). And there is a centuries-old tradition of putting Bible characters in modern scenarios, often as a way of poking fun at church or secular authorities: Jerry Springer The Opera fits right into this frame. I found little in it to justify some of the claims made in the original email, and nothing to offend or weaken my Christian faith. Others may feel differently if they choose to view the programme, and if so they are free to complain after they have seen it.
Toby Scott
Found this really helpful, Tom - thanks! I had not got beyond comparing 20,000 Christians sending complaining emails to no effect, with 400 Sikhs trashing a theatre and getting what they want... But I do think we shoot ourselves in the foot whenever we respond in this knee-jerk way (if that is physically and ballistically possible?)
Posted by: tony | 08 January 2005 at 11:13
One is reminded of the Tony Campollo quote that many Christians get more upset about hearing a swear word than they do about the children who die as a result of avoidable global poverty each day. (well the quote went something like that).
Posted by: Sally | 08 January 2005 at 15:12
Heard it rumoured that you are due for higher office in the Church - God help us if this the kind of nonsense we will have to put up with. You are a disgrace sujpporting blasphemers
Posted by: Anonymous | 08 January 2005 at 16:05
I think that given what is being portrayed the language is in keeping. I'm disapointed that so much Christian attention has focussed on the language issue and even trying to define blasphemy. There are more important issues and a lot of the reaction seems to be straining at gnats, swallowing camels.
http://nouslife.blogspot.com/2005/01/f-you-says-bbc-as-50000-rage-at-sprngr.html
Posted by: andii | 09 January 2005 at 17:42