Hey there… tomorrow's the big day, and Bob and Larry can hardly wait. A few fans aren't real thrilled with the edits being made to the show to pass muster with NBC's "standards and practices" board. One fan wrote this…
I think you all are selling out and should be ashamed of yourselves!! Veggie Tales is a religious show, NBC is notoriously anti-religion yet instead of insisiting NBC rise up to the level of God you drug your show down to the level of NBC. I'm not sure if this was done for publicity or for money but no reason is ever good enough to turn your back on God! Boo to whomever was involved in the shredding of Veggie Tales, my children will not be watching this and I'm am encouraging all my friends and family to not support this programming either!
And another wrote…
Is compromise good? We've noticed that veggies has changed…. The compromise for the Sat. morning deal is no different than churches getting rid of any mention of the blood of Christ…mention of sin…..replacing the gospel with a social plan to take over the world (in the name of God) when the power of the gospel is stripped. The power comes from repentence….(gasp). NO………it's all about having fun and coffee bars and skate parks and reaching the lost with illusionists and comedians and blah blah blah….Jesus is NOT my CEO and who cares about anything that Forbes magazine has to say. But that is what is in our churches…and boy oh boy are they GROWING. (like a really big corporation..oh goodie…)…we're all super spiritual now coz we have 10,000 members Huh? If the road is NARROW that means not many are on it….but our churches are LOADED because of the feel-good programs and messages…not because anyone is picking up their CROSS. So if these churches are LOADED and we look SO MUCH like the world…could it be we're all on the road to destruction..and just don't know it ?satan is sly and cunning….the same twisting of the truth he handed Eve is the same bag of goods he is handing the American church. With the success of Veggie Tales..and for that matter Touched By an Angel….where the message was right there……could you not have taken a stand and said…no….the message must remain…for that is the essence of Veggie Tales….and let them reject you if need be. Truth becomes apostate, eventually, because of COMPROMISE.
Interesting stuff. Both fans make good points, I think — points worth addressing. Is editing VeggieTales for NBC "selling out"? As I mentioned in my prior post, I'm not at all happy with the edits. I didn't know I'd need to make them when I agreed to produce the show, and I considered dropping out when I found out just how much would need to be removed. I decided to continue primarily as a favor to Classic Media and my friends at Big Idea, who would have been in a major pickle if I had abandoned the project just a few weeks before the first air date. (We didn't find out about the need for the cuts until early August, about two weeks before delivering the first episode.) So did Classic Media or Big Idea sell out? Not really, I don't think, because the depth of the cuts came as a surprise to them as well. Apparently one department at NBC was telling them one thing, and then, once they were committed to delivering the show, another department told them something completely different. They could have pulled VeggieTales from the deal at that point and swapped some other show (like Lassie or something else from Classic's library), but they thought the exposure for Bob and Larry was worth it. Would I have made the same decision? I'm not sure. That's a tough call. When a general market distributor promised in 1994 to take VeggieTales into Wal-Mart if we would remove God from the show, I declined. The increased exposure wasn't worth the loss of the show's primary purpose – teaching kids about God. (At the end of the day VeggieTales isn't a show about 'values', it's a show about God.)
So is this any different? Yes, sort of, because the edited shows won't end up on store shelves. There won't be two different versions of each VeggieTales video – one with God, and one without. These shows will only air on NBC, Telemundo and Pax (now called "Ion"), and as soon as they're done with them, I'm hoping Big Idea will put them back the way they should be. Was it a 'sell-out' to do this deal? Ultimately you'll have to make that call.
The other fan was very concerned about 'compromise'. Did I compromise my beliefs to edit the shows? Well, there's 'compromise' in the sense of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refusing to bow down, and then there's 'compromise' in the sense of Paul saying he will be "all things to all people." Paul was willing to compromise his cultural values to build relationships with Greeks, Romans, slaves, and anyone else he met along his travels. If they ate meat, he'd eat meat. If they didn't, he wouldn't. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to compromise their beliefs about God. God said "bow to no other god but me" and they intended to follow that directive, no matter the personal cost. So was taking "God made you special and he loves you very much" off the end of these new shows more like Paul's situation? Or Shadrach's? Do the edited shows say anything that I believe is untrue? No. They do, however, stop short of saying things I wanted to say that are very true. Do they go against God's commands? Or do they just respect the boundaries of a foreign culture?
Ultimately, I'll let you guys decide. I want to put these shows back the way they're supposed to be as soon as I can, and make lots more shows that can help raise the next generation of Christians. Overall, I think the NBC situation is a little like being invited to sing at the White House on the condition you won't sing certain songs that might offend certain foreign dignitaries. Some artists might say, "Forget it! Those songs are what I am about! I won't compromise!" Others might say, "The impact of singing at the White House is worth living with their rules. Once I'm out the door, though, I'll be singing my songs at the top of my lungs."
That's sort of my attitude here. I understand if you disagree, but I hope at least you'll know now that I'm wrestling through these issues with good intentions.
By the way, last week it was announced that NBC would allow Madonna to perform, on the air, the song in her current tour the she sings while suspended from a mirrored crucifix. I know the audience and time of day is completely different, but it is a bit ironic that telling kids God loves them is "not okay," but singing a song while mocking the crucifixion is fine and dandy. Let us Christians never forget that we are strangers here. We don't fit in.
And that's okay.
hard desisions are always tough and always cause certain people to disagree, but God works in many different ways, some we think are crazy, some ways we can’t even see, but I believe that God can use Veggietales on NBC for good and for His perpose, I will be praying for this and I think that is what the best thing to do is. Stopping your Children from watching it and also telling others not to is crazy for a start Veggietales on NBC will be a child friendly show with good values and no violence, swearing, etc etc and instead of blocking it, pray for thats the best thing to do and maybe in the future NBC will change and let more of God in the show, also when kids who don’t know Veggietales and see it they will then want to go and buy the videos and then they will see that it is about God and that God loves them, so I would encourage more people to get their kids to watch it! so I say watch it, see what God does, you’ll be surprised, and Pray for it!
I agree with Mr. Smith. Christians have lost a lot of ground in Hollywood and it’s going to take time, little by little to gain it back. Many Christian actors, directors, producers, etc. are rising up in Hollywood and I know of some who are studying to enter the field in order to make a difference. It may not be what anyone hoped or planned for, and we may not like it, but let’s see what God will do with it now that it’s done…and pray in unity that this seed is watered.
Hiya. I have to agree with some of what was said by Richard… I feel strongly negative about the edits. Others have made that point so strongly already that I don’t think I need to here, otherwise I think I would have.
But VeggieTales is a positive force in entertainment in many ways; and one of them, for me, has always been proving that great entertainment does not have to stoop to the levels of courseness, shock value or inappropriate content. I think a show on network TV that so competently embodies Biblical values (even if it can’t name them as such) while being as entertaining as VeggieTales is definitely something I can get excited baout, even if slicing and dicing the core meaning of the Veggies is, to say the least, not.
there’s always going to be a critic. always, so don’t worry, do what you think God would want you do with your show. we’ll pray that NBC changes it’s mind and opens their eyes to the hypercrisy and biased treatment that veggie tales has been recieving. God bless, forever and always.
If NBC insited that Phil change all refrences of God to Buddah, or replace all scripture quotes with “words of wisdom” from some other culture. THEN I think Phil would be selling out and it was jsut like Rack Shack and Benny or.. I mean Shadrach Meshac and Abendago. However, that is not the case.
I’d like to say I’m really happy that you know what you believe is right, because that makes it a lot easier to handle situations like this one. Whether or not it turns out well.
But does this mean that there will only be the one batch of episodes?
You make some good points. Christian circles in Aus have been faced with some of the same dilemmas regarding Guy Sebastian (winner of the first Australian Idol). I know of some Christians who refuse to buy his CDs now because they’re not openly about God… but hey, the same’s been happening with Christian media since its beginning. Didn’t Amy Grant have this same problem? lol
As far as I see it, impact can always be a good thing, so long as you’re not compromising your ideals. Removing the word “God” from a program is hardly turning your back on everything you stand for… some people’s reactions make it seem like you’re inserting “Satan” in instead. Kids are gonna be watching Bob and Larry on the telly, then asking their parents for the DVDs for Christmas. As long as God’s name is being declared somewhere, kids will find it. I know you’re doing everything that you do for the glory of God, Phil. And you know how all things work for them that love the Lord. Peace out.
Hey yeah… and speaking of Australia, perhaps you know why I can’t find Lord of the Beans anywhere? It’s like it was skipped completely here…
well, good luck! ill see if i can get a chance to check it out. we shall see… =)
Sell out? Nope. Spiritual Junk Food? Hardly the case. I have faith that the Holy Spirit will work in awesome and wondrous ways through Veggie Tales on NBC. VeggieTales proves once again that it can go ‘mainstream’ without going into the stream and ultimately drowning in it. They made it to NBC by providing quality children’s programming that is fun, entertaining and educational. The bottom line is: Phil and the guys have not compromised their spiritual directive to lead children to know and to grow with Jesus. The edits won’t keep kids away from looking for the VeggieTales videos………they’ll find it!!!!
Meanwhile, let’s all get behind this and take a deeper look at what’s really going on. Maybe if we added more positive influences in our media, in our lives…………we could somehow, with the help of the Holy Spirit, shake off our worldview and see something more Christ centered. Maybe………we could take a step of faith outside of our own comfort zone and walk into God’s comfort zone, we’ll realize that all things are possible through Him who gives us strength.
I’d say that this little Saturday morning show will prove the nay-sayers all wrong…………
You make some really good points, Phil. My first thought, when I heard about this NBC thing was “no…don’t sell out!” But then I remembered how a mom at my son’s school last year, loved the PWDDA song that he and some friends did for the talent show. She is Muslim. Never heard of VeggieTales…but loved the music. She went out and bought the DVD of Jonah AND the CD. You just never know how a couple of kooky vegetables are going to touch someone’s heart.
We will be watching! Apple Jacks and jammies, and all….
Phil I know you had a tough decision to make, but consequences shouldn’t change what’s right. How many artist go nuts about TV editing their work? Just recently it was announced that a video distributor couldn’t redistribute films with the objectionable material taken out. It would be different if you had products that didn’t contain the God references. But in this case they are asking you to remove what we all know should be there. What does that teach our kids? I know my son loves Veggietales and was blessed to meet you in Lombard and have a personal walk through your facility on a very tough day for all of you. I’m not here to cast stones and I won’t. I know you are in a position that affects a lot of people. I guess if you don’t say something to the mucky mucks, they know they can just keep up this nonsense to everyone else.
Say it ain’t so – Veggietales meets the slice – o – matic. Kinda like eating the plastic that the salad is wrapped in and throwing out the lettuce.
Where’s Larry Boy when you need him? Bumblyburg’s in trouble. Its Larry Boy and the Bad Deal. Somebody flash the Larry Boy distress signal. I just can’t fathom “Where’s Frankencelery when I’m S-Scared”
NJC, I have checked with Koorong and the Australian copyright people from Lord of the Rings have interfered. For some reason it’s ok in the US but not here in Aus. Have fun shopping on the net for it!
By the way , I think more exposure for Veggie Tales is good. I think it would be fantastic if God wasn’t cut out , but t least more kids will be familiar with All the characters, songs etc. Maybe it just needs to go in babysteps. See ya…
Phil,
You NEED to do this! Good job for acknowledging the issues surrounding this decision, but now go fot it and get them Veggies all over Network TV!
Dave.
I think there’s a verse about not judging another man’s servant in scripture.
If you made this move in good faith, God will honor your intentions. Whether or not the peanut…er… gourd gallery follows suit is immaterial.
So who do we want to provide the wholesome programming on tv? We want the secular media to provide us with wholesome programming, while we criticize the christian community, those who should be the leaders and experts in wholesome programming, if they provide programming that is not evangelistic. Does all christian programming have to be evangelistic, or even blantantly christian? Why are we so willing to watch qood family programming that is not religious as long as it is not made by christians? Let christians make it and they get criticized for selling out. No wonder their is so little on tv and the theatres worth watching. Maybe we should quit blaming hollywood and start pointing the finger at those in the church that squelch the creativity in the christian community.
Just saw it in spanish, now waiting to see it in english on NBC!
I just saw the first television episode. I have to admit I liked it. It is definately different and I understand your frustration with the editing. I am relieved that there will still be Veggie Tales with the Christian bases, but I think that maybe if the children who normally don’t see Veggie Tales before it came to NBC, sees the episondes they’ll go out and buy the dvd’s. Which I just now realized has been said already but reinforcement is fun.
I don’t think you “sold out”. I think this will do good. A whole new group of children will see Veggie Tales and will be amazed.
I just saw the edited version on NBC. Phil, you’re not selling out. You’ve become all things to all men. As VeggieTales gets more exposure, more children (and adults) will want to own them on DVD.
Don’t forget that Christians tend to be among the most judgmental people on the planet. Ignore those that stand on soapboxes shouting messages of condemnation. Follow your heart and allow God to show you the right thing.
PS: The Asparagus of La Mancha was great!
Yay, it’s on. Bummer, it’s preempted by the shuttle launch. Yay, it’s back!
I just saw it, too. It was cool! Like Alicia said, I think children will see the show and like it and ask their parents if they can get the DVD’s or videos. In that way, Phil, even if they take some of the christian stuff out of the shows, maybe this will be one way to reach out to the kids anyway. Keep up the awesome work!
Oh yeah, and I heard you on Janet Parshal a few days ago and got so excited I diled the number without even having a question! I finally came up with one, even though I didn’t get to ask it.
Good for Bob and Larry. I’m glad they’re back–even with some editing. Hang in there.
I’m glad that you took the time to address these issues. I am confident that God can use all things whether it is Sandi Patty singing “God Bless America” and being invited on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson or the friendly faces of Bob and Larry that will drive parents to purchase the videos. (Or grandparents.)
I cannot begin to admit the amount of “Barney” stuff I still have and that craze was 15 years ago. Thank you, God, for the sanity of Vegetables!
I saw both shows this morning, and was very surprised and glad to see that 321 Penguins had hardly any editing! Sometimes, I think Grandmum is a little difficult to understand anyway so this episode may have actually improved somewhat on tv! I thought sure the bedtime prayer would have been cut, as well as quoting scripture which they did (without saying the chapter and verse)! Probably most of these NBC censors wouldn’t even know where it came from anyway! The Bible does say that God’s word will not return to Him void, so if it is spoken it will do its work! This particular show will benefit from tv exposure but the dvd’s need to be available everywhere like Veggietales.
So which episodes are up next?
I think, depending on who your audience is, your message might have to be changed a little.
My daughter and I have watched a few children shows that made me think that they might be Christian based on the strong morals.
We don’t watch too much tv but I was planning on watching todays show but I forgot it was on. I’m that we can catch it next week.
We have most of the Veggie Tales videos. My favorite is Esther.
Phil, I admire your honesty with respect to your own inner struggles about this all. It has to be hard I am sure. Ultimately, I believe that God can use all things for His glory – and if that means there is little or no reference to God on the NBC episodes, but the little girl in Walmart takes home the Veggie Tales DVD sitting on the shelf, then the message isn’t being comprised, is it. Much like many, many mainstream Christian artists today – while the songs that get airplay on secular radio are not overtly Christian, when the fan buys the CD or attends the concert, they are provided with the full message. Correct me if I am wrong but I seem to recall my Bible mentioning something about Jesus spending time with people that made the “religious” people very angry. By questioning God’s ability to use this wonderful opportunity, are we not becoming no better than the Pharisees? I respect each person’s right to make decisions for themselves but what kind of message is the fellow who is refusing to let his child watch sending to his child? Instead, have her watch them. Have her get her friends excited about watching them – then she can share the Veggie Tales DVD’s with her friends and use that to evangelize rather than all of them continuing to watch mindless fluff is being aired these days. Good on you Phil!
FYI – I’m REALLY disappointed that my kids won’t be able to see the tv Veggies – the Seattle area carrier for NBC (which is the only way we can get NBC here in the Great White North) has chosen to air news programming rather than the Veggie segment. We will get to see the 321 Penguins/cartoon LarryBoy but not the new Veggies. 🙁
Phil,
I watched both 1/2 hours this morning and I loved them both. Great new opening and it was awesome to see 321 back.
Thanks for your response to the negitive comments. You make some very good points and I sure appreciate your level head approach.
You ( Veggietales) are building bridges that will lead kids to a relationship with Christ and Veggietales on NBC gives that opportunity to construct that bridge. Parents are going to look for the DVDs and Bob and Larry will be able to take kids a little deeper in their understanding of God.
In regards to the NBC editing – did I not read that Universal ( who owns NBC) asked you if the Pirate movie was “Christian” enough when you presented your story boards?
What gives – it is ok for the movie to be “more Christian” but on NBC Saturday am you cannot tell kids that God Loves them and they are special. That seems crazy.
Keep up the good work Phil. Love the new book!!
Phil,
I watched both 1/2 hours this morning and I loved them both. Great new opening and it was awesome to see 321 back.
Thanks for your response to the negitive comments. You make some very good points and I sure appreciate your level head approach.
You ( Veggietales) are building bridges that will lead kids to a relationship with Christ and Veggietales on NBC gives that opportunity to construct that bridge. Parents are going to look for the DVDs and Bob and Larry will be able to take kids a little deeper in their understanding of God.
In regards to the NBC editing – did I not read that Universal ( who owns NBC) asked you if the Pirate movie was “Christian” enough when you presented your story boards?
What gives – it is ok for the movie to be “more Christian” but on NBC Saturday am you cannot tell kids that God Loves them and they are special. That seems crazy.
Keep up the good work Phil. Love the new book!!
Well, I just want to let you know that I support your decision to sing your song within the rules for now, knowing that you can sing at the top of your lungs again when you’re outside. And, I’m betting that a LOT of full-length videos will be sold as a result of your wise decision!
Brenda
As I commented on your Veggies and Jellies post, I liveblogged the show as my kids and I watched it. It was delightful, still full of zany humor — I loved when Don started reciting the Impossible Dream lyrics, it was probably better than when I saw Robert Goullet sing it a few years ago (a few years past his prime) — but missing that certain Veggie something. I understand, though, why you did what you had to do, and pray that many children will fall in love with Bob, Larry, et al, and go find the real Veggies on the store shelves!
So what’s your sweater got to do with it anyway?
Watched it this morning, enjoyed all the shows. My son was in tears this morning since the Kids WB station apparently vanished in our area, but after the Veggies started he got into it. And it appears, unlike Kids WB, “qube” actually has age appropriate commercials with it. (At least for now, hopefully it will stay that way.)
I was also wondering, do you really have enough Penguins/Larryboy episodes to fill a season? Will some of those be the cartoon versions? And does this mean that we’ll soon see more Penguin episodes? 🙂
And the kids will see the edited version of the show on TV, and go out to the store (or library) and get the unedited one, which should let the full message in.
the new exposure is especially worth it for us non-christians who are big fans of 3.2.1. penguins, an exceptionally well made multi dimensional show that deserves to reach a greater audience. we get less preaching and hopefully some new episodes.
Hiya Phil,
Where could “compromise” enter into the discussion? If you said, “No” it wouldn’t have kept the show off TV; they would have simply hired some lesser voice talent and a new producer (or whatever your title is for this gig.) Then, maybe instead of just “missing something” what we saw this morning might have suffered the addition of something *else.*
Correct me if I am wrong, but I see it like this: Once upon a time you built a ship and set sail as it’s captain. Aspirations that you now see as your own ambitions – plus a lot of other stuff that’s detailed elsewhere on this blog – ran the ship aground.
Then, someone else came along, bought the boat, made repairs, and set sail again. It’s not your ship anymore; you don’t get to navigate. But they hired you to tie knots in the rigging because everyone was used to the sound of your… knots.
In other words, when you had the power, you had the responsibility, but your sphere of influence has been dramatically reduced. Does everyone get that?
I never knew anything about your business skills, but I trusted your heart for God. I expect you’ll jump ship when you have to.
BTW, it’s not like there are scribes tucked away in digitized caves converting Veggie videos to whatever computer guys convert VHS to. So even if VeggieTales doesn’t go the way of all produce, it still might not be for rent in Heaven’s video store.
Blessings,
Helen Martin
I think that we all need to simply set back and the God who made us all work his wonders. Veggies and 321/Larry Boy are out in the mainstream and this will be used to his benefit. Maybe a family wil be walking through the movies in a WalMart somewhere and see Lord of the Beans or another title, buy it, take it home, and God’s word will be there. It is not right for us to rant about compromise for He will use it to his benefit, I have no doubt about that. How many people are impacted is not the point – every single soul that is can be saved is the point. Even if only one child can find his way to Jesus through this, then it is completely worthwhile – how many is not important and really only God will know the impact on those lives that are touched, but we can pray for those that may be touched and how this show progresses.
Missed the show this weekend, as we were out of town, but we are all for any DECENT programming on TV. There is precious little that we will let our children watch.
Would it have been wonderful to have God mentioned on TV? Of course it would have. But I’m not surprised they edited it out.
We aren’t fighting flesh and blood in this battle. God will use this for His glory. NBC can try to quench the fire, but they will fail.
Bravo, Mr. Vischer!
We watched the show yesterday, and while it was a little weird not hearing Bob and Larry tell us that God loves us, it was a good show.
I especially liked (what I thought was) the tribute to Mc Feely by Jimmy Gourd. That was really funny. The opening song was cute, but may need to be tweaked a bit to make it more catchy. Sorry… just my opimion.
As for the content, I liked it. Kids NEED to hear that they should stick by their friends, and that lying is not a good thing, and that they should share what they have with others. These are virtues that need to be reinforced in this generation. The stories and their messages are still relevant.
Good job, Phil. God will work out the rest of the details!
You know, I really believe God works all things out to good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Even things that don’t seem fair.
So just remember, God is bigger than any weird television bureaucracy. He can handle this no matter what^_^
We don’t have cable, but we stuck up an antenna to get NBC. I loved the two shows, and I love the fact that kids, saved and unsaved will be getting exposed to good Christian themes and values. I heard your interview on Janet Parshall! Love you guys, and keep up the God work!
I have to say that all things considered, I’m thrilled. This provides me with a much better alternative to the other Saturday morning programing my children could be watching. Yes, its not perfect, but then what in this world is perfect? Good values are being portrayed. For goodness sakes, Jason and Michelle got to say their prayers, on regular brodcast TV. I’ll cheer for that anyday over watching fighting and witchcraft being portrayed in other Sat morning cartoons!
I’m also planning on letting my local NBC station know that I really approve of their programing choice.
“…the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light.” Luke 16:8
You were, are and always shall be at a disadvantage when dealing with the marketplace at large – not because of your skill level but because of your “Rule Book.” I believe that honoring your commitment was the right thing to do on a number of levels – as a Believer, as a Leader and as a Business Man of Integrity (different yet the same…I know). Moreover, it may very well establish creditability that will give you the right to be heard (and make a difference) at some point in the future.
I LOVE YOU GUYS AT BIG IDEA, thanks for you big ideas for children. My daughter and I love watching them. I think we have to remember that people watching T.V. need God too, and they are not seeing any form of God on T.V. (on most stations) today.
It is not up to us to decide how God will reach kids and there parent. I know following Gods path will never steer you wrong, even if it’s different and unpopular. We will keep you in prayer.
Keep going strong ! Thanks to all you guy at BIG IDEA !
As with most media, the people selling it will sell what they think will make the most money…it’s a business for them. If you don’t like what they’ve done editing wise to VeggieTales, then let them know about it! NBC will think everything is wonderful unless you drop them a polite line asking them to let the shows run as they were originally intended.
e-mail: nbcshows@nbc.com
Don’t forget that NBC did air Highway to Heaven back in the late 80s, so it’s not 100% unlikely they’d allow some vegetables to talk about the Bible and God if enough people asked for it.
I, for one, am happy that VeggieTales is on TV so my kids have something to watch on Sat. morning. How many kids do you think this could possibly reach that live in unsaved homes and who would never have the chance to see VeggieTales? I think it’s a blessing that this many kids will have this exposure to VeggieTales…who know how many will go to the website to learn more or see the videos in the store, etc…
-Brian
Myself being an avid Veggietales fan, I wasted no time in getting up extra early on Saturday morning to catch the new show — 6:00 AM, to be precise.
I have to admit, it is a very enticing show; ever adorable, as usual. I did crack up a good few times, which is saying something.
Great job, Phil. Keep up the good work! Spread the Word!
– Kellie
P.S. I’d also like to congratulate you, Phil, on being able to land the new show on the larger tv networks (ie. NBC, etc.).
Phil — I support your decision. I’m also a little ashamed of all the people who are judging you without even having seen one of the ‘edited’ episodes. Many of the comments above, and especiallly those in your original post, were made before anyone had any idea what degree things would be edited.
Thanks for helping take the Veggies to the mainstream. I suspect you’ll be able to place more and more “God” content in there as the show takes off like wildfire!
-Tim
Dios esta abriendo puertas….
God is opening doors….
El dia que anunciaron que Veggietales estaria en NBC, mis hijos y yo estabamos ansiosos de que llegara el sabado,
After the day that it was announced that Veggietales will be at NBC, my kids and I were anxious until saturday arrives.
We feel really proud that veggietales were aired on NBC.
Can you ever think how many kids and adults will know about good values with Veggietales videos? And Now with NBC.
We have the videos, But we were excited to see them on TV.
We thanks God, because He gave you a BIG gift.
God bless you, Phil.
Excellent book about Norman and Sidney.
In Jesus.
I agree with Brian. We should all contact NBC and ask them (politely, of course…) to not cut the veggies. (Bad pun, I know.) But those TV stations are run largely by public opinion. If enough of us ask them to let the veggies talk about the things the veggies were MADE to talk about, then they just might do it.
Mark M.
I was too was saddened to see Bob and Larry’s voice not match the words that were coming out. But I think VeggieTales is just plain funny and the lessons are still true. I don’t think Phil, Mike, B.I., and Co. are the culprits. The old bait and switch. I’m kind of surprised that you believed them to start with. Pax I would have thought better of, but not NBC (Not Broadcasting Christians) or Telemundo. If you don’t have it in writing it don’t mean a thing. I don’t think it was intentional and I don’t think the message of VeggieTales is bad. I’ll of course let my kids watch it. It’s still the best thing on on Saturday morning and the only show on NBC I think my family young or old would ever watch.
You know, the problem with the world is…it’s worldly. As believers, we can’t keep saying ‘if you don’t play by our rules we’re taking our ball and going home’. That’s what Christians in media have done historically and guess what? Those other kids, they went and got their own ball. Now we have to play by their rules, so what to do? Don’t get mad, don’t cry, don’t pout, but play by their rules and do it better. How do you do that? You honor your commitment – which the Veggies are doing- you are honest in dealing with network employees- which I am sure the Veggies are doing- and you do everything as unto the Lord. Because we are in the world and sometimes the only Christian somebody knows is someone who has to do something they don’t really want to do in a place where they don’t really want to be for people they don’t really want to do stuff for. When that happens, you take Jesus with you and do your job, because you never know what God has in store. ( discaimer: please pardon the Paul-esque run on sentances… I get that way every now and again)
I just saw the movie Path to 9-11 and the one thing that occured to me is seeing how many times terrorist do evil and say the end justifies the means. If you folks at Big Idea ever realise that Proverbs 3:5-6 has nothing to do with “Big Ideas”, but instead-fearing God.
May the Lord grant you grace sufficent to see any self promotion by dishonoring Gods word publicly can only lead to something that will burn on the Day of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 17:13
Keep up the good fight, Phil. Just remember, however badly we screw up, no matter what bad decisions we make, ultimately God’s in control. His Word will always stand, sometimes through us, usually despite us. You just keep plugging on, and I’m confident you will one day hear those precious words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”.
Would you folks please stop using scripture as a club to beat Phil over the head with? You are not in his shoes, are not being asked to make the decision. Whatever Phil had chosen to do, somebody would be able to find fault with in, and could use scripture to back it up. Sometimes there are no right answers. Sometimes there are no wrong answers. He just has to stumble through like the rest of us, following God as best he can. God is the only one able to judge him, because God is the only one who knows all the details. Even Phil doesn’t know all the details.
Sure, it’s easy to be all smug, and say “Oh, I’d never do that!” But you know what, unless you’ve stood in the same spot, there’s no telling what you’d do.
Honestly, some of you are starting to sound like the man who after hearing the parable of the Pharisee and the sinner, went home and prayed, “Thank you, Lord, that I’m not like that Pharisee.”
I apologize to Phil for using his space to rant in, and any portion of the rant that sounds like I think he’s making the wrong decision. And I also apologize to the majority of the people here who are supportive of Phil, whether they agree with him or not.
I loved the changes… I understand the compromise… I thought the stuff in Bob’s “house” was funny, my kids liked it a lot too and the bottom line is Veggie tales are better cartoons than much of the other stuff out there with or without God in the shows,
I can’t wait to see what else they show
Could it be that this tv deal has less to do with the message of VeggieTales and more to do with God using this medium to put some Christian artists/business people alongside some non-Christian artists/business people? What if the purpose is less about the show itself and more about the relationships that are being built behind the scenes and in boardrooms? It could be that the only Christ followers that the unsaved NBC staffers get to meet or spend any time with is this bunch from Big Idea. So let’s not be too quick to say we have the complete picture. God is just so interesting that way. Can’t wait to see what happens. And if this does turn out to be a mistake(however you would define it), well, God is bigger than the bogeyman, godzilla and the monsters on tv. He’s got it covered.
I have not had a chance to watch the NBC version, i have been a fan of veggie tales since they first came out. Phil you are a gifted story teller. The stories, based upon Godly Principles and the Word itself. Is solid rock. I appreciate your struggle with the edits but you are still standing on the rock. Hold steady, I believe the creativity and foundation of the stories speak for themselves and after a while the censors will be silent and u will be share the stories they way you have envisioned them. Never underestimate the power of a story created out of the breath that gives life.
I came to watch Veggie Tales because my kids saw them on a box of frozen chicken nuggets for goodness sake! I don’t recall any Christian messages on those nuggets! Still, even though we weren’t very religious up until that point, we rented the videos and a whole new world was opened to us. We found a great way to talk about god to our kids. If the NBC version of Veggie Tales leads other families like mine, families that are not very in tune with the Christian community, to search out the real videos and they are introduced to the valuble lessons presented in them – well I can think of no better way to be Christian.
If God be for us, who can be against us? God has blessed the folks at Big Idea and has brought them this far. Mr Vischer, my first reaction is dont compromise!!! Be a Moses at the Red Sea or a Daniel before the Lions Den or a Joshua at Jericho… Listen to the thoughts of Mordicai… perhaps this is why you are here…
Whatever the case… I know that God is with you and as far as I can tell (having 8 children and almost all the veggie tales) you have been guided by the Lord.. so I continue to trust that you hear His voice and will follow as He leads. Thanks for the obedience, through it God has blessed a lot of us.
Hey, maybe there’s a story in being all things to all people!?!?!?!
We’ll be praying for you…
I am a strong believer that if you don’t like something, you should voice your opinion (but watch your tone). Change can not occur if those having the power to make the change are unaware of your opinions. So, as previously suggested by Brian W., let NBC know your thoughts: nbcshows@nbc.com.
Patience is a virtue and perhaps we need to be patient with those at NBC (and Phil as he struggles with acceptable editing). Let us not forget the monetary reality of selling ad space during the shows will impact decisions at NBC eventually. (Encourage companies to purchase this ad space.)
For those of us familiar with the Bob, Larry, and crew, what is stopping US from ending each episode with, “God loves you very much!” Those in the room with you deserve to hear it, right?
The majority of responses on this post agree natural progression will lead to the DVDs, books, music, toys and the unsensored message. We know because we now own these products and we believe in the message.
Lastly, be thankful we live in a country where our beloved Veggies have the opportunity to reach millions, regardless of religious preference.
If ever there was a “mission field” neglected by the Church, it’s the vast wasteland of TV! Like any other scene of devastation, the missionaries need to be there in force, offering warmth and nourishment (tortured metaphor but you get the idea), not Bibles. Minister to their needs, then minister to their souls. Let the unchurched TV world get to know us by our love FIRST.
You go, Phil. If God’s bigger than the Boogieman, He’s DEFINITELY bigger than the Peacock. It’s His plan and He’ll get it done, just stick to Him like glue.
It’s just … so … cool. I’m happy and excited for you guys.
I haven’t read if this has been touched on in this discussion, and I may be mistaken but I think that in order to “sell out” you need to profit on a particular endeavor, or compromise ethics for a profit, and if I understand the explanation of how Classic Media is bringing Veggie Tales to NBC on Saturday mornings, they are actually paying to do so, and are not making $ on the deal unless you consider video sales of products after kids see the cartoons on television, but I do not think that there is a guarantee of that happening, so can that really be seen as selling out? also I don’t think it is any of our places to determine what is or isn’t best for bob and larry,
Well, I understand the position you have taken and the Paul analogy. But I must disagree.
The way I see it, Veggie Tales is about God. It takes a stand for Him, in a world where anything goes. I am sure that when you started this adventure, that IF your desire was to create nice cartoons for kids to enjoy – then that is what you would have done. But, you didn’t. You created God based cartoons for kids to enjoy AND learn about the love that God has for us through Christ.
I know it’s a difficult choice – and I understand the arguments that say “well, many more kids will be exposed to the characters and then go buy the REAL DVD at the store and get the message”. But this is different – this is about standing for Christ and what you believe in and why you made these videos in the first place.
The very fact that you are uncomfortable – that it pains you to see what they are cutting out says (to me) that it goes against your vision.
I don’t presume to know everything about this situation. I just know that when I gave my life to Christ – I continued for many years to compromise with the world. It is recently that it has been pressed into my heart that it is time to take a stand. It’s not easy – but it’s right.
Ultimately this is between you and God. I, for one, would have much preferred you to take a stand for Christ and back out. Is it wrong to do what you are doing? Again, that’s a personal deal between you guys. I’m not “downing you”. I just wanted to share my personal opinion.
…And yes, God can turn all things to His glory – So ultimately it’s in His hands regardless of the choices made.
I watched 321 Penguins, and could not believe I was seeing two kids praying at the end of the day on NBC. C’mon people, Phil, Classic and Big Idea are not and have never been sellouts. And until you’re in his shoes, we should be loathe to judge such an honoable man. Phil, don’t apologize, you’ve got nothing to be ashamed of, 40 million DVD’s have reminded kids that god loves them very much. Here’s to 40 million more!
With all the comments here, I’m hoping someone can tell us to whom we should write to at NBC. I am very saddened with the taking out of God on the NBC version, & it’s really much too bad. But perhaps we shouldn’t be fired up here, but writing to NBC instead! AND may I suggest that we all PRAY hard…I like the comment that Phil made at the end of his posting today,that we certainly are not of this world, & we don’t “fit in”. Perhaps the Lord has a better plan we can’t see for now, but we can certainly pray that He will open the doors for His Name to be put back where it should belong! God bless y’all…
So suppose Phil decided to say nope he wasn’t going to compromise his convictions and insist that he wouldn’t drop the God reference? I suspect that everyone would be saying way to go Phil. I would be among them. Do you think NBC is going to have a change of heart and see Bob and Larry being a big hit and take a chance at ruining that by allowing God comments back in? Fat chance!!! The reality is the only way to have more God comments is to stand your convictions and see the God references win over people. Hollywood has been more open to spiritual content recently, Why? Does the Passion of the Christ have anything to do with that? You can bet your Veggie loving hearts it does. Come on folks don’t be so niave.
Rod
Just a quick update. Don ‘t get me wrong. I’m glad Veggietales is on the TV. But when Phil asked for our opinion, I don’t think he just wanted yes men answers. For those of you who called out those who gave their opinions as being judgmental, and condemning, you really don’t get it. There needs to be some honest feed back. Phil asked for our feedback period.
I have found a way to make everyone happy! Or at least potentially…
Someone needs to buy ad space on Saturday mornings for the Qubo time block and, rather than hawk wares, get Big Idea to put something together for a 30 sec clip… …like maybe QWERTY and a vegetable duo talking about God’s love… hint hint hint
😀
I am a Christian stay-at-home mom, who admittedly is a big veg-head. Our kids have been watching these shows for about eight years. We bought them at the local Christian bookstore, so we kind of knew that there was going to be a Godly message attached. We liked that element, we supported that idea.
I have a question for the people who feel this new endeavor is too great a compromise. What makes a message Biblically based? Does it HAVE to end with a passage and verse? Do the characters HAVE to remind us that God loves us? Can they still be relevant as a teaching tool?
Maybe I am wrong, and I often am. But I don’t think the Biblical principals that were used to create the original stories have been edited. I mean the lessons are still there. Remember, the target audience is still 4-8 yrs old. In the beginning, the lessons were there to reinforce what we Christian parents were (suposedly) teaching our own kids. It was a validation of our own beliefs. It was a tool, a very helpful one. They spoke in kid-friendly language. They are even part of this generation’s Pop Culture.
While I respect everyone’s opinion. I just don’t understand why the same lessons and stories aren’t as relevant just because there is no Bible verse at the end of the segment.
Respectfully,
Lisa S.
YEAH! Something I know my children will be able to watch! My hope is that they’ll fall in love with the show and will tell their friends who watch Pokemon and other less than stellar shows and be drawn to the Veggie Tales videos that will present the Gospel to them! I’m excited that the show has made it to a network!
NBC boycott looming:
Just wanted an opinion on something.
The Christian community is in the early stages of starting an NBC boycott regarding Madonna’s concert planned for November.
In it she mocks the crucifixion of Jesus by writhing on a disco-mirrored crucifix while wearing a crown of thorns.
Certainly this is highly offensive and justifies a boycott of NBC and their advertisers. My question is, do we also boycott Veggie Tales since this represents a new Christian market that NBC is trying to tap into?
This would hit them where it hurts. However, it may have an equalizing negative effect on Veggie Tales.
We dont want to hurt Veggie Tales but we cant turn a blind eye to NBC mocking Jesus. I understand Veggie Tales getting in under the radar with the intent of selling videos with their true message and I commend them for that, but taking money from an organization that mocks Jesus at the same is rather hypocritical.
How should we stand up against NBC for the planned Madonna show?
Do we also boycott Veggie Tales?
Speaking as a NON-Christian, I’m offended that NBC would force you to make these changes. I see it as the same kind of vandalism that they used to perform on the classic Warner Brother cartoons. Ultimately, this sort of behavior isn’t about religion, just as chopping up Bugs Bunny wasn’t about “protecting kids from violence”. It’s about DISRESPECT- for the audience, for the creators, for the concept of cartoons as an art, for the concept of Art itself, really. I read somewhere that you considered Monty Python an inspiration; take heart in the fact that, at the end of the day, Python always won it’s battles against the censors- mostly because they were always in the right, and the censors never knew what they were talking about, anyway…
Just think of all the kid’s clamouring for their parents to buy them Veggie Tale DVD’s. The Holy Spirit does work in wondrous ways.
http://www.washtimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20060912-091414-1839r
Sliced and diced ‘Veggie Tales’
By L. Brent Bozell III
—-
Even with the edits, it will provide an opportunity for even more kids and their parents to experience the values-based Veggie Tales. As Vischer says in the Washington Times article, parents can still go to Wal-Mart and buy the unedited videos, and I’m sure many will.
When Focus On the Family produced “Molder of Deams”–am inspirational talk by high-school teacher Guy Dowd, they realized it could be seen by many more in the public schools if they edited out the God talk–which they did–and called it “Teacher of the Year”.
That said, God isn’t even mentioned once in the book of Esther, yet we know that God is in the details.
I think the same can be said for VeggieTales, and the situation should be viewed as half-full rather than half-empty. Who knows, after a few weeks–if the show gets good ratings–a ground-swell of viewers may demand that NBC show the VeggieTales show unedited. With God all things are possible.
I can tell you’ve prayed about this, Phil, and you want to do what is right. I look at it as a “foot in the door” and perhaps a way to make more people aware of the characters and then open to seeing the full versions.
Ever here of the old saying, “give an inch and they’ll take a mile: ? It’s the same here, once you surrender part of your soul and ideas, they always come back for more since they see weakness in you. Stand fast for your original ideals.
Phil, my son is a huge fan of Veggie Tales and quite honestly, so am I. I’ve read what you have written about your decision and I am glad you are being honest about it all. I personally am not up in arms over your choice. I am up in arms over NBC deciding to pick up Veggie Tales in the first place, knowing it is a religious show, and then deciding to cut out all “non-historical references to God or the Bible.” That is what Veggie Tales is all about. It has done just fine on its own w/out a network backing it up. It just really makes me mad. Sure, leave on shows like the “Fairly Oddparents” where the parents are mean to the kids and the kids are brats. Leave on “Rugrats” where Angelica is as mean as she knows how to be. Leave on all the shows that are violent, that barely cling to the ultimate moral of the story. And then cut out Veggie Tales’ religious message. How about telling people who don’t like it to CHANGE THE CHANNEL? After all, that’s what I do when I come across shows that don’t mirror my own values or beliefs. That’s what I do when they’re sending a message to my child that I don’t want him to hear b/c it doesn’t reflect what I am teaching him in our daily lives. People don’t like to hear Bob say that their child is special and God loves them very much? That would warp their child’s mind? CHANGE THE CHANNEL.
I think you ought to tell NBC to !@$^ off!
As a child-free non-Christian I first watched Veggie Tales with my nieces. I laughed my @$$ off at the Gilligan’s Island version. I remember watching the Christian cartoon “Jot” on Saturday morning as a child and yet I still am a non-Christian as an adult. For parents who do not want their child to hear “Jesus” or “God” let them turn the channel the same way parents do who do not want their children watching that lame crap on MTV.
I work in a Dept. with over 500 people. I passed a co-worker with a Bob the Tomato tie. Because I am known as a child-free heathen (so to speak), he was surprised that I knew who Bob the Tomato was. he told me I was THE ONLY PERSON WHO KNEW!! Every one was asking him the significance of the tie. and our Dept. is chock-full of Christians!
Long Live Bob and Larry!!!!!!
My kids and I were so excited to see veggie-tales on TV! I thought how awesome finally a change we can now actually watch Saturday morning TV…I still think so. I am glad it is good clean TV. But…I personally was very sad to see God ripped out, well more than sad, it was like a friend told me he was leaving the church but don’t worry he will be a good person. You can’t have morals without reasons for those morals. Why should my children treat their friend well? Why? Because it’s right? Why? Because Bob and Larry say so? No God is the reason. I loved this show formerly. And now if my kids don’t see it so what they can watch strawberry shortcake and get the same “good” message. Sorry Phil, I would rather be reading that everyone refused to edit and it was yanked instead.
Seemingly the “purpose” of the veggies is now compromised. God is not a God of compromise. God is the bottom line in all truth.
The veggies are now compromised and seeming sell outs. Now Christians are once again in need of “real” and uncompromised heros. Many of us will rationalize ourselfs out of God’s Kingdom.
I thought this is a Christian product… would you take “offensive” statements out of the Bible to have it conform to the world view?? Come on people…we are challenged with spreading the Good News… the truth in its entirety, not just a version of it. I’d like to think that you still believe GOD and JESUS are a real fact of life not just a religious point of view. I understand your argument with Paul, but I do believe that Paul stayed true to the Word as an anchor when he delivered it and did not deliver a “softened” version of it. But what about the other disciples who were flogged day in and out some killed ofcourse for telling it like it is? Did they have the option of dressing the message so it can be more acceptable? ofcourse they did, but they chose not to. Our mission is not to convince the world that what we say is true…it is to tell the truth simply..God loves you God cares for you He died for you, you can have everlasting life. A version of the truth is not the truth. Stand firm and we’ll stand with you.
God bless,
Congratulaitons on going national and thanks for your efforts in spreading The Truth to millions more. It is obvious hat others would prefer the Word not be heard, but here is a possible scenerio…children love to own things they see on TV. Even a watered-down version of the program will likely result in purchases of the videos that may not have occured otherwise. God will bless this because the intent is to spread His word. Congratulations!!
I can’t believe with the volume of videos the Big Idea has sold virtually on their own that another network competitor wouldn’t have loved to have you guys on instead of NBC. Just a thought, but I think there had to be another network that would love to have a cultural phenomenon like Bob and Larry on. I wish I knew someone who could help you out.
We have most of the VeggieTales on tape and DVD, so why would we watch edited versions on NBC?
VeggieTales have sold 52 million copies so it isn’t like most people know about them. I would argue that in fact VeggieTales is mainstream regardless of any religous content. You can’t sell millions of dollars worth of material and not have the media tell anyone about it.
I know Christians who won’t let their children watch VeggieTales because Phil and Co. have altered the Bible through the retelling of the stories.
That should be… it isn’t like most people DON’T know about them…. ARRGGHHH!!!
Television is a melting pot of American values: take it or leave it. It’s the job of public broadcasters to understand the pulse of those values in order to avoid swinging too far from one end of the spectrum to the other; from racy to wholesome, from religious to agnostic. They must balance their understanding of this “values pulse” with profit, sales and what will be watched.
The TV ratings system has helped parents understand where on the spectrum of American values the show about to be viewed lies. Parents can choose public television or purchase programming they deem appropriate, either cable television or dvd’s at WalMart. I cringe at the thought of my children getting up on Sat morning and watching an evangelical cartoon, purposefully written to influence children’s’ conception of the spiritual world. For a public broadcaster to air to such a purposefully oriented message on such a personal and subjective topic, I think, goes beyond the melting pot of American values. I am without the protection of an “evangelical rating” on the TV ratings system.
Boycott.
Why are Christians the worst when it comes to letting the good be the enemy of the best? Yes, it would be best if all the Veggie Tales could be shown in full, but that is not going to happen. So, is it all or nothing?
Christian missionaries are not allowed into Muslim countries as missionaries and it is illegal to preach the Gospel. The only way to get into a Muslim country is to go in as a aid worker, teacher, or business person. I recently heard of a missionary couple who have a business training Muslim women how to make quilts. So, should these missionaries not go into these countries because they can’t go in openly as preachers of the Word? Should their attitude be “I will not compromise! If I can’t openly preach the Gospel, I won’t preach it at all!”?
Hollywood is more closed than most Muslim countries. (Luckily they can’t arrest anyone.) Should our attitude be “if we can’t go in openly as Christians, we won’t go in at all”? Should we just accept defeat and crawl off and continue to try to reach a few thousand and let Hollywood spout its evil morals to tens of millions unchecked? Do we just give up the entertainment industry entirely?
Until more movie and television producers break out and destroy the Hollywood monopoly, the only way to reach a massive audience is through the large studios. And the only way to have any kind of influence is to compromise–not your beliefs or your message, but the way you present them. A whisper can sometimes be heard louder than a shout.
As far as I am concerned, if the Veggies and the Penguins do nothing but provide kids with “safe” Saturday morning viewing, then they have done their job. Have any of these people screaming for no compromise actually watched what vile garbage is marketed to kids? Stuff that would have given me nightmares as a kid. Yes, I keep my kids safe by turning it off, but how does that help the millions of other kids whose parents don’t give a flip about what their babies are watching? Who is going to stand up for these kids?
I think Phil and his crew can provide a great service to these little ones. Veggie Tales can be a breath of fresh air to them, a refuge from all the violence, mindlessness, and crudeness they are usually exposed to on TV every day of their lives. And maybe it will lead them to pick up a DVD and get the complete message, and maybe not. But why should that change anything?
No where in the Bible does it say that we only do good works as part of an evangelism program. It says that we are supposed to feed the poor, tend the sick, take care of the widows and orphans, etc. There are a lot of children in our country who are no better off than orphans, who are having to raise themselves and whose only companion a lot of times is their TV. Is it so horrible to give them a break from all the ugliness in the world for a half hour or hour each week, even if they don’t get an openly Christian message? They may not hear that God made them special and that He loves them very much, but by being protected, for just a little while, from all the corruption on TV, they may feel it.
Hate to be a wet blanket here, but VeggieTales “sold out” at their inception. The various videos are solid, family programming. But please don’t mistake them as being a pure video representation of the Bible sections they purport to be. It’s like anybody else’s book – others take liberties with the clear statements in the book when they bring it to the screen – small or large. The only difference here is that ‘the book’ is God’s Word – the process is the same. We all have fond memories of The Ten Commandments, and other old, wonderful Biblical-themed movies. . . but those grand productions also took liberties with the original “script”. The move to NBC merely makes a few more edits to the already edited version of the original “script”. As an earlier note to this blog noted, why do we accept family programming from secular sources and decry family programming from Christian sources if it’s not evangelical in nature? I sincerely hope parents aren’t using VeggieTales to teach their children the Bible in the first place!! VeggieTales is good entertainment – but that’s all it is. There is simply no substitue for God’s Holy Word.
Without the message of Christ VeggieTales are merely another form of entertainment albeit with “positive values.” I’m disappointed that you didn’t choose to honor God by refusing the deal. You could have sent a message.
When I was a child I was really moved by “Charlie Brown’s Christmas story that contained a quote from the Blble. Later I found out that Charles Shultz was under great preasure to edit out the God parts but I am thankfull that he had the courage not to. And since I did not grow up in a Christian family this was one of the only times I got to hear about Jesus. now we cannot even talk about God the Father) How sad and how far we have fallen. Surley we are liveing in the last days. I understand your desire to make piles of cash there is nothing ileagal about it. And to be on N.B.C. must give you a great deal of pride you. You made it to the big time. Not many people care about network T.V. anymore but it may impress your grandma. Just kidding! You only took out God.
However, God (I hope you are not offended by me mentioning him) can save any situation. I suggest that you tell N.B.C no deal and make a Veggie video about it. Maybe Bob could be bribed to not mention God for piles of cash and Larry could turn him away from his gread and pride.
Dan T. (a Charlie Brown fan.
P.S. N.B.C. hostile I believe it but telemundo??? Latino culture very open to mention of God. I am not thinking you even cared enough to find this out. Can think of dozens of mentions of God on Spanish T.V.
I have to say I’m amazed at the way the people of Veggie Tales tucked tail and let NBC call the shots. I have a Sunday School class and my kids just love Veggie Tales. They have all the shows and we have to watch one at least every Sunday. The Saturday morning show will not be the Veggie Tales all the kids know with no mention of God and I am amazed at how the mention of God is deleted, but muslim, buddhist, scientology and various other religions are mentioned over and over again day after day over our television sets. This is disturbing to me and I wonder just how long God will allow this and just how long he will be in our favor since he is denounced day after day and by the country who was founded on his name. I am ashamed to go to church and tell God I love him, but I do nothing about the people that are hurting him.
I am done with Veggie Tales from this point forward. My kids will no longer watch them and I will try to steer peope away from the product. The very reason “Veggie Tales” has been a success is because it was founded in God’s truths and the shows unashamedly made God a household name. You are doing satan’s work by voluntarily taking God out of the product…it makes me very sad indeed that you have fallen so far and cannot even see your fall.
Christians are to be the salt and light, and caving into NBC is being done for monetary reasons only and Jesus told us we must choose between Him and money, we cannot serve both.
You have made your choice, and sadly your choice is to attach to the world and money and to walk away from God.
My prayers are with you.
I guess I was disappointed to hear of the editing. Nothing NBC does surprises me anymore. It’s not really surprising that the Veggies “sold out” either. When Satan is shown as “death carrying a feather” to send “bad people” (sinners) to the land of eternal tickels (Hell), that was the end for me.
Surprised by the edits? Nah. Veggies have been under cooked for years.
And so it’s ok to keep quiet about your faith in God for a TV network that thinks there’s nothing wrong with letting Madonna perform hanging from a suspended crucifix, but thinks it would be wrong to mention God in the Veggie Tales?? Just who do you think you’re fooling here, Phil? You say, oh the altered Veggie Tale episodes will only be shown on NBC and then you’ll be anxious to get them back the way they should be. If you believe NBC isn’t showing them the way they “should be,” then why are you allowing the altered versions to be shown? Until I logged on here and read your blog, I was giving you the benefit of the doubt. But, I have to tell you that I’m afraid you are making a terrible spiritual mistake here. And, while you may initially benefit from it financially, you may come to regret such a sell out to mainstream media.
So, if you were invited to dinner at the White House on the condition that if you were asked about Veggie Tales you would make no mention of God or your faith in Christ, would you accept? Your above example, seems to say that you would. After all, after dinner, on your way home in the cab, you could talk about your faith as loudly as you wanted, right?
My family loves Veggie Tales and 321 Penguins. We have the videos, and were excited to hear it would be on Sat. mornings. I didn’t let my kids watch Sat. morning cartoons prior to that because there was nothing decent on. I was dissappointed by the edits that remove Scritpure and mentions of God, but I realized the fault would lay with the network, not Big Idea. On the other hand, it is my hope that Veggie Tales will become more popular due to being televised and kids will see the Videos in the stores and ask thier parents for them. So, the end result will be that the kids will get the Godly messages thanks to our consumeristic way of life.
At least the originals will be the ones people can watch (or own) elsewhere. Mr. Vischer isn’t pulling a Lucas here.
The worst part of this is that NBC tells such lies when you have already submitted your program edited to their time needs. That they should have the audcity to tell you to edit out the “God parts” before airing the program only shows how shallow they really are.
This is so sad, because Veggie Tales has a certain message, and NBC should be tolerant. In truth, they’re showing complete intolerance for a Christian point of view, and I wish you folks would stick to your pistolas and tell them to take your show as you produce it for them.
Standards and Practices, my foot! Veggie Tales has nothing to apologize for, and nothing to edit out to make the shows any better.
Don’t let them get away with censoring you. Fight!
I think that it is fabulous that Veggie Tales is airing on NBC! Think of how many more children will be tuned into this program, and how many more parents will buy the original copy for their children.
To those who are enraged at the editing of the “God talk”: Isn’t God big enough to work through some editing issues? Major kudos to Phil Vischer and the gang for taking the opportunity to stick their foot in the door and not completely abandoning the opportunity because it wasn’t on their terms. They’ve realized that God is bigger than NBC. Now, shouldn’t the rest of us?
Ha. “God is bigger than NBC” I like that!
May God countinue to bless you and your family.
The closer we get to the time of “The Rapture” the more this world wants to take away God from everyone. I believe that we are very close to the end times and at these time us christians (true believers in Christ) should stand tall, very tall just like Daniel’s 3 friends did. I understand that there are times that our finances are bad, but are you hurting for “$” that you are willing to let NBC tell you what to do with “Vegie”?
Hey Phil keep up the good work. Life through Christ is a continual growth. You guys have planted many seeds into our daughter’s heart through the work GOD has given you. The shows may not have the familiar endings were used to seeing but the relationships Bob and Larry will be building with youngsters country wide may help seed many new beginings. By the way our daughter is going to be Bob the tomato at our harvest party! GOD bless you and yours.
Unfortunately, even without editing Veggie Tales would not convey a Christian message. The real Christian message is Jesus Christ and Him crucified not how we can change our lives for God. Since it is God the Holy Ghost who converts and sanctifies us, the moralizing messages of Veggie Tales are typical of all law based religions, whether they call themselves Christian, or Muslim, or Hindu, or whatever. Without Christ, Veggie Tales is not Christian and my kids aren’t allowed to watch Veggie Tales lest they think that is what Christianity is about.
Sorry guys, your Veggie shows could appeal to any religion and I’ve yet to see one that has the actual Christian message.
What I am trying to figure out here, is why will NBC not admit to the real reasons of shutting out certain keypoints in these shows. If the length was the only problem, I am sure there are other small parts besides “And remember kids, God made you special and he loves you very much!”. For another thing, maybe its just my imagination, but Christianity seems to be the only religion which is NOT used in TV shows today in a positive light. It’s only used as a joke or being demeaned. I can easily turn the television on, and see more ‘positive’ comments of any faith BESIDES Christianity, so why is it that this one thing has to add into all of the others? I would much rather have my younger siblings watching Veggie Tales complete with references to God loving them, rather than just the “positive message” they get without the references to God. And I would MUCH rather them watch Veggie Tales, period, than some show which the network has determined that I can “just change the channel if I do not like it”.
Well I for one am excited to see Veggies on NBC. My kids are 3, 2, and 2 months and we have all the VeggieTales stories at home but The Toy that Saved Christmas. My feeling is this: as wonderful as VeggieTales is and as much as my kids love them, the ultimate teacher of Christian values come from my husband and myself. They can hear “God made you special and He loves you very much” until the wear out the tapes (many of which they have – we’ve replaced Snoodles and Beans twice already) but if they don’t get that from Mommy and Daddy it’s lost. There’s a lot of other things they could be watching on TV like Pokemon or Avatar niether of which have anything in them worth watching. Or they can watch the same shows they’ve always watched and LOVED and mommy can tell them that they’re special and how much God loves them. That’s my job anyway. And as wonderful as it is to have Bob and Larry reinforce it, its not their responsibility. Its mine. I think that the true fans should think about that before picking up their stones. Keep up the good work and GOD BLESS!!!!!
If children fall in love with the characters on NBC and pick up the unrestricted videos at the store then the veggies will be doing what we all do. Connect in the marketplace and witness when it’s the right time. If the incredile witness of Bob and Larry becomes more popular through family friendly entertainment on NBC, the net effect will be positive. Remember that Jesus started the conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well with a request for water. We should not require the veggies to ignore opportunities to politely introduce themselves to millions of Americans.
hi im philip i like your show
BOYCOTT!! Veggie Tales on TV is basically there regular episodes without God. Which I thought was a horrible mistake. Now we have Veggie Movies minus God?? just saw there new one. My kids room is decorated in Veggie Tales, we have every toy and movie. My kids wore there shirts to see the movie. The Christian following is what made them big. Now they turn there back on us and take God out of everything? That’s sad. I’m going to boycott Big Idea till they bring back God in veggie tales.
I too have been extremely disappointed in Veggie Tales. It was so good before. A Snoodle’s Tale is amazing. Jonah was incredible. The Pirate Who Don’t Do Anything was pitiful! Tomato Sawyer wasn’t much better. It is the last one I risked money on. I will not be buying another Veggie Tale because they are no longer worth the money. Warner Brothers reruns are much funnier and better if I a want a cartoon that excludes God. Veggie Tales ONLY redeeming value was that it was Christ centered. Minus this it is a second-rate cartoon.
On a positive note, so far jellytelly.com is God honoring and I do appreciate it.
I wish you’d had the guts to refuse to put it on NBC edited. Of course you should have known there they would do this and had it in writing before hand. Oh well, hind sight is 20 20 and we all wish that we could do things differently and over again. I am just sad that something once so powerful is now impotent and blah…
I personaly still like VeggieTales. I know that they’re trying the best they can to make a good show. Besites, most of the DVD commentarys are so funny that they’re worth the money.
I just hope Phil will do more commentaries on the VeggieTales shows that he writes.
Also, NBC didn’t buy Big Idea, Classic Media did. And they don’t mind the religous stuff. The reason why The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything and Big River Rescue didn’t talk about God very much was because Phil worte them that way. If you won’t buy a VeggieTale ever aginn, you’re missing out, because Abe and the Amazing Promise talked about God. It also had a lot of good songs.
betsysblog.comI found an interview with Mike Nawrocki explaning the current state of VeggieTales:http://www.betsysblog.com/wordpress/2009/02/15/radio-show-mike-nawrocki-and-veggie-tales/. So as you can hear, they are still doing stories with a biblical world view.
Big idea will always be making christian stories. No longer one of the head Visual creatives there I can finally say to the doubting Thomases out there that they were all wronge about what happend to the BIg Idea culture. It has not been no ever will be secular cuture. Our owner know that that is not what you as fans want.
I was shocked that so many people believed the secular press over the apparent loss of Christianity in our films. That was flse from day one. NBC asked us to remove some stuff but look how much God content we got on the air. Its unbelievable in hindsight. We made films like PIrates that has Christian themes to get people who assumed we were too preachy to see us for what we were. An open minded, not pushy, child friendly company that taught one simple basic true fact. That God loved his Children very much. We hoped to get more people to see what we were saying. Fans seemed to hate us for that. I guess Paul its a tradition in Christianity going back to disputes between peter and paaul over the conversion of the gentiles vs. Jews alone. me made films and tv showsvwith Christian undertones That you could take an athiest nieghbor to, we gave them a path to a life with Christ… one that was theirs to choose. Many of the fans spit on us for that. Our sales droped. Many fans boycotted us and said the new Veggie film are secular. I bet many of them never watched them. We to the story of Moses, Gideon, the Nativity, Abrahm and Sarah, Noah: we taught about friendship, love, and loving you enemies.. but I guess these were all secular ideologies. The truth is many fans never gave us much of a chance after the NBC thing. There faith was in the reporting of CNN, not Big Idea. What a horrible shame. I have worked in news rooms. I see how things are edited. Truth is lost and replace with a more thrilling story. They want your ratings. We all strove to gain your trust for15 years to help your kid live in a safe and friendly God fearing world. Why oh why did so many of you abandon us… I will never know. I know for my part I worked as hard as I could to give your children the best entertainment Christian audiences could get.. so did my team. We are still trying. But you all have to believe in us otherwise when you ask why are there is so much smut on tv, movies, and the internet, Christian have themselves to blame because they do invest the time money of interest to defend them against mainstream media. Support your missionaries not only in far off places, but also here at home who try to make media outlets a more god friendly place. I pray you all do.
Wow, Joe. It sounds like some things recently have been hard for you. I get that, particularly because some of my own friends who are Christian parents have said similar negative things about Veggie Tales and it infuriates me. I hope you find some work in filmmaking which will serve a good purpose, whether it be overtly Christian or not.
Jonathan
Joe – you make some interesting points. However, a few basic principles remain (if anybody actually has principles anymore). “Sunday morning values, Saturday morning fun” has been replaced with “Saturday morning values, Saturday morning fun, and Sunday can go to h***” I would rather have seen Big Idea go bankrupt and close up shop then sell out the way they did to NBC. It would have been more honorable and right in the eyes of our Lord.
And why NBC? They rank right up there with MSNBC, CNN and the other networks that are on the Obama cheerleading squad (Obama has one of the most anti-Christian White House administrations in the history of this country). Could you not have found another network? I would have even preferred Fox although their programming is questionable most of the time. NBC is the same network that ran that mockery of Noah’s Ark and made God’s flood look like a giant keg party. Did you not notice that, Big Idea?
My family and I are done with Big Idea and Veggie Tales, and it breaks my heart. I will retain my DVDs and continue to watch them with my child. However, we will not be purchasing any more. Many in my church have likewise sworn off Veggie Tales. I would rather go bankrupt then sell my soul to Satan (NBC is his chosen network along with the others I mentioned).
So buying VeggieTales is now selling your soul to satan? Honestly? Isn’t that exaggerating just a little?
Look, ALL of Hollywood/entertainment industry (including FOX network) is NOT Christian. AT ALL. In any way, shape, or form. They are ALL secular, not wanting Christian morality, etc. All chosen by satan, as it were. Some things have changed in the last ten years (with Passion making so much money), but the industry is still driven by RATINGS/MONEY (which are driven by human nature, and therefore, sin). Kids shows nowadays…some teach good stuff, many just entertain. And I know it was the same when I was a child…like, a lot of TV was just entertaining, and the only reason so many shows I watched were educational was that my parents cared about that. But, you know what’s exciting?
In the midst of this secular industry, VeggieTales was given a chance to be a light. NOT A CHRISTIAN LIGHT in the sense that the stuff on the Christian Television Network (which only Christians watch) is Christian , but an opportunity to get out…and to know, because they are Christians, that the program they are producing at least HAS A CHRISTIAN GOAL. Not that many shows I’ve supported (watched on a regular basis) over the years have that, because I watch both secular and Christian stuff. If you think VeggieTales is “Saturday morning values” from a secular perspective, you’re not watching any secular media. Empty entertainment is Saturday morning values, and VeggieTales is not empty entertainment, even on NBC.
To me, the whole debate is kind of weird. Like, most of us don’t consider it a sin if we aren’t constantly witnessing while working at…wherever we work. If we get across that we live differently, and occasionally steer toward Jesus in conversations, we don’t think we have sold out to satan. We think we have sold out to satan if we, like, turn away from doing anything Godly. Editing VeggieTales for TV was hardly turning away from doing anything Godly. There was still a lot of Godly/good in it. The fact episodes don’t have the Bible verse does not mean they are supportive of satan, especially since it was at the insistence of the network (FOX would have been no different, I’m sure). The DVDs didn’t change in that way, so it was obvious (at least to me) that the people in charge still had the Christian goal. They had the Biblical worldview. To avoid them would be like avoiding the Chronicles of Narnia because it’s allegory/doesn’t have Bible verses.
I would go so far as to say that it is HYPOCRISY (or at least hypocritical) if you let your kids watch ANY secular media, but don’t support VeggieTales ONLY because they ‘don’t go far enough.’ They go farther than the secular media, and they’re Christians. What’s not to support? Christians need to be in entertainment more. So much is dark right now, and refusing to support those Christians who are trying to make a difference is not the way to help.
I agree with Kyla 100%. We need more Christians in hollywood and the media in general.Jon, if you really do think BIg Idea isn’t Christian, pray for them, and soon you may see thatv they haven’t been as far away from Jesus as you think. And, if you followed Phil’s psots carefully you would realise that he didn’t have a choice, because he didn’t know of the requested edits when he agreed for them to be swhown on NBC. They were bacically not being honest with Phil and Big Idea.
I will never stop supporting Big Idea because I know they are doing the best possible thing they can, working for the Lord with their hearts fixed on Him.
J
I perfectly love “The Star of Christmas” from VeggieTales.
At the beginning it has the animation that more videos have been done. And, I even hear George Takei of Star Trek talking about Larryboy: The Cartoon Adventures, and then the start of the Christmas special.
I perfectly love “Lyle the Kindly Viking” from VeggieTales.
At the beginning it has the MGM/UA Home Video copyright notice logo with Big Idea Productions logo, then has a bumper says “Also from Big Idea”, plus a preview for King George and the Ducky. And it got a “Coming to Home Video” bumper, plus a preview for The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown and then start of the story.
I perfectly love “Lessons from the Sock Drawer” and “Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie” a lot.
My favorite video is “Madame Blueberry”, and I also love “Jonah”, “Sumo of the Opera”, “Lessons from the Sock Drawer”, “Pistachio”, “King George”, and “Lyle”.
I perfectly love “LarryBoy & The Rumor Weed”, I also like “Blunders in BooBoo Ville” from “Abe”, too, and “Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen”.
I perfectly love “The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown”, I also like “Madame Blueberry”, “Minnesota Cuke”, “Sheerluck Holmes”, “Gideon” and “Wizard of Ha’s”, too!
I perfectly love “Rumor Weed”, “Blunders in Boo-Boo Ville” from “Abe”, “Jonah”, “Sock Drawer”, “Sumo”, “Sheerluck Holmes” and even, “Lyle”.
I enjoy “Esther” a lot.
But the “Blunders in Boo-Boo Ville” segment from “Abe & The Amazing Promise” has bad songs and talks about God’s shield of patience. (PATIENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Also, I enjoy “King George and the Ducky” a lot.
Also, but the “Daniel and the Lions’ Den” segment from “Where’s God When I’m Scared?” has songs that are evil and talks about fears of which has the law and order of God.
I love all the videos. My favorite is “The Wizard of Ha’s”.
I enjoyed Jonah and Sock Drawer a lot. My parents enjoy these two. And Blunders in Boo-Boo Ville from Abe talked about the shield of God’s patience, it also has EVIL songs!
Sheesh, you people! I’ve just been reading over these old replies, and all I can say is, some people really need to get a handle on themselves! As Christians, who are we to tell others that they are selling their souls? It’s okay to disagree with others, and it’s okay to tell others that you think they are wrong, but nobody here on earth is in ANY position to say what God has planned. It even says in the Bible that only God has the power to judge or forgive sins! We can deplore a sin, but we cannot condemn the sinner. That’s God’s job.
While I’m at it, I’m really mad about the NBC edits too. When I first saw Lyle the Kindly Viking with the line about monks taken out, I wanted to scream! Still, I think it’s NBC’s fault and not Phil’s. Sheesh, it’s not like he took the lines out himself to make more money! And very good point, all of you who said the thing about channel switching. I hadn’t thought about it, but if you can change the channel when the violence comes on, anyone can change the channel when the “Christian bits” come on! Drat, that’s low of NBC. But I think it’d be a good idea to watch
VeggieTales anyway. Otherwise, NBC will think that the “religious” show really IS scaring off viewers! This is a chance to show them that religious TV really CAN be popular…
Anyhow, I still love VeggieTales, just not the fact that they’re “sanitized.” And like several others, I was absolutely flabbergasted when I saw Jason and Michelle praying in 3-2-1 Penguins! There is hope out there after all… Yay! ^_^
Ahoy, there mateys! I like “Wizard of Ha’s” ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *cries*
I giggled through the “The Lord of the Rings” version that Big Idea changed into “Lord of the Beans”.
I watched all the videos. My favorite is “Madame Blueberry” or “A Lesson in Thankfulness” which this episode is nicknamed.
Yes this is potentially no longer germane as this conversation started several years ago, but Let’s see -God (as Jesus) walked the earth and lived among sinners. His presence influenced many and offended many. In order for him to be among them at all – he became MAN. He became flesh and blood to walk among flesh and blood. So if Phil is able to walk among the media moguls and be put into a position where Veggie Tales has an influence in mainstream media – doesn’t deny Christ but also doesn’t shout an alter call – it seems like a God ordained move. Phil didn’t sell his soul and really doesn’t need to apologize to anyone – he & his team represent the first Christian creative artist to develop a product that is of the quality of secular media. Well beyond Christian music which is nearly as disgusting as the mainstream music industry Phil has maintained a high end product of true excellence and it has been noticed. Let God do the rest
I love my videos. Jonah and Sock Drawer didn’t talk about God’s shield but Blunders in Boo-Boo Ville does.
I think the show was a good idea at first. I mean if kids like it on t.v then they might go out and buy the videos and then they will learn more about God. If the video sales went up after the show started then I would keep the show. If the stayed the same (or went down even) then I would pull it. We have a puppet skit the exact same way. It is a christian skit but if we aren’t aloud to mention God then we “edit” it a little. As long as your getting the same message across then I think your good.