I'm updating this post because NBC has now issued a new statement about VeggieTales, refining their earlier statement that cuts were only made for timing, not content. They now acknowledge the cuts they requested and explain that they don't want to air programming that offends or excludes any individual religious group. This is why, one would assume, they are also rethinking the Madonna-on-a-cross thing. So they're being clear now, which is good. Whether or not you agree with their standards or the other shows they air is really a separate issue. They obviously have the right to set their own standards and apply them however they choose. I just wanted to make sure everyone was being upfront about the situation, because, well, I like it when we're all being upfront.
It has been very interesting to watch this situation unfold, as what might have appeared to be a minor issue about a kids show failing to meet network standards has now been picked up by the New York Times, the LA Times, CNN, the Associated Press, and countless blogs and opinion pieces. The New York Times headline implied I was 'steamed' about the incident, which isn't the case. (The body of the story makes it clear that the Parent Television Council is the irate party.) For the record one more time, I'm not upset that NBC wants their kids programming to be free from religious statements. That is perfectly within their right. I got a little upset when they issued a statement that appeared to deny requiring these cuts, but now that they've retracted that statement, I'm fine with them. As I've mentioned to several reporters, though, I wish I had known the extent of the required cuts before agreeing to reformat the shows, because I probably would have declined the invitation to participate. While some VeggieTales shows work fine without overt references to God or the Bible (like Snoodle's Tale, which presents God allegorically, or Sheerluck Holmes, which simply teaches the Golden Rule), most of the shows I wrote in the pre-bankruptcy days don't really teach lessons about values at all, but rather about God. And those shows don't hold up very well if you try to take God out. So I probably would have declined to participate simply because there aren't enough veggie shows that could be made acceptable to NBC without signifanctly compromising their message.
So how will it all work out? I'm not sure, frankly. Big Idea is trying to edit the old shows to NBC's standards down in Nashville, while those of us at Jellyfish focus on the new material at Bob's house. (Which, I will say again, has been a lot of fun.)
Stay tuned to see what happens next. And watch the shows on NBC, both to see the goofy new stuff we're doing at Bob's house, and to see how the old shows hold up with whatever edits Big Idea is having to do, and to vote loudly that you really like it when a major network skirts 'dangerously close' to real biblical truth.
See you next Saturday at 10am…
Thank you for calling NBC out.
NBC, stick with the truth, please. It is a valuable standard to live by in and of itself, although its depth of meaning and purpose is lost apart from belief.
Believers, don’t forget to pray for NBC. 🙂
Fascinating stuff Phil….it is interesting to hear you confirm what a lot of us already think about the network programming process. Please keep blogging away!
What a bunch of filthy liars NBC is! They got cornered and they countered by lying. Well, you have the evidence, Phil; hang onto those e-mails for dear life. It is clear that the enemy does not want Veggie Tales on the air and he is expecting Christians to run away with our tails between our legs. No More! We need to stand up for what is right!
Phil, they’re pirates. And not the God-loving vegetable kind. Instead, they’re the kind of pirates who cheat and lie and steal as a means to an end. I don’t think many people will be fooled by this charade. It’s still great to see the veggies on TV.
Beats typical modern cartoons like Disney’s “The Replacements” where a “mom” in a skin-tight black suit pulverizes people for unapparent reasons… Can anyone say “spoon feed sex and violence to our kids”? I’ll take the Veggies, either with the overt references to God… or not.)
March on, Phil.
Unbelievable what passes for acceptable these days. And what they consider unacceptable. (Good gracious, man! You can’t tell children that God loves them! What are you thinking?)
I linked to you at my second blog, Domestic Vocation (http://domestic-vocation.blogspot.com). Okay, I reproduced your post with a link to you here.
Even if they try to pull God out of the Veggies, we know He’s still there. And it’s better than most of the fare that they try to market to my children. Maybe some of the people who wouldn’t ordinarily watch Veggie videos will pick some up because of this exposure on NBC. I’m glad you’re there, anyway.
Problem is, we can’t just complain about it and then continue to watch NBC programming and keep their ratings up. I personally like some NBC shows but am going to now have to rethink watching the network altogether. I should also write the network, tell them I’m not happy with what they’re doing, and let them know that I won’t be watching anymore. No ratings = no revenue. That speaks volumes to a network.
Interesting, indeed! Are we surprised at NBC’s politically correct charade? Besides, it’s just a little fictional, right? After all, “a little fib couldn’t hurt anybody,” right? (wink)
This goes beyond the Madonna and Veggie Tales story. This is what I learned from the Catholic League:
““Last February, NBC ‘Nightly News’ decided it would not offend Muslim sensibilities by showing the controversial Danish cartoon of Muhammad in full. Allison Gollust, a spokeswoman for NBC, said, ‘We felt that in order to convey the essence of the story, it was not necessary to show the entire cartoon.’Accordingly, the same ethical principles which drove this decision should apply to Christians. Therefore, in deference to Christian sensibilities, NBC should not air the entire Madonna concert. If it does air the ‘Mock Crucifixion,’ it will send a message to the 85 percent of the American population that is Christian that their sensibilities count less than Muslims. And that is not a decision that any responsible person or company can afford to make.”
So, they’ll offend Christians all they want, but not people who are either Muslim OR who don’t want to hear about God at all.
Beth has a point that you can’t just complain, but continue to watch their shows. Alas, I feel I’ve put myself out of the ‘voice of the people’ because I watched my last episode of ER last January, when they were running a particularly annoying “pro-choice” episode. I never see the networks anymore.
The AFA may not be starting an e-mail campaign, but I would like to write to someone to complain about the Madonna thing. I haven’t been able to find any e-mails for the powers that be at NBC. If anyone can help, I’d appreciate it if you’d post it here. . .
That is absurd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t believe whoever said that! So much for being honest.
Why did they agree to air the shows in the first place if they’re going to go and try and take out the whole basis of the shows?
They knew what kind of product they were getting when they agreed to air them, so they should just leave them as is.
And what is wrong with saying God? Many many people find the word God perfectly exceptable. It’s Jesus Christ that usually works people up.
It’s really silly and foolish. And most people aren’t dumb. They know many of your stories are reflecting bibical passages.
It’s Freedom OF religion, not freedom from.
We need to get the word out, far and wide! NBC can NOT be allowed to get away with this. Don’t just contact the network, though: CONTACT THE SPONSORS! Let THEM know that if they sponsor offensive NBC programming, you will NOT be buying their products. THAT gets their attention. All they care about is their big fat wallet. Hit them there, and they recoil.
To plan to air that blasphemous mockery of Christ’s Crucifixion, and at the same time excise those wonderful, positive words from the Veggies is just the absolute epitome’ of anti-Christian bias. Can’t say it any more plainly than that.
Hi Phil,
Thanks for clearing this up. What a tough position for you guys. I hope you can stick to the core messages of Veggie Tales and keep God as the center of all your stories. I know opening up your brilliant cartoons to the masses is an awesome thing, but please don’t sacrifice your beliefs in the process. We’ll be praying for you here in Maine.
So what did they do? Find the one guy in the office that didn’t know what was going on and have *him* do the pres release?
Don’t just tell us, give the information to that trade journal, and anywhere else that NBC posts this.
Phil,
I’ve been a fan of VT since the very first VHS. I collected them all up until I got my DVD player, and then I started my collection over in that format. I’m also a member of the Big Idea Ambassadors club.
I just want you to know that I’m behind you and Mike 100%. I hated to see Big Idea get sold, but it really looks like that was just a small bump in the road from the end-user’s perspective. Thank God for that!
I agree with your viewpoint about “dicing” up VT for NBC. I pray that the new kids will see the shows, be entertained, and then beg for the videos when they see them at Stuff-Mart.
God takes all the lemons that we give to Him and He turns them into the sweetest lemonade. He’ll turn everything around for His glory, just so long as we keep doing it for Him. Keep the faith, brother, (even if it’s only in the videos for the near future)!
Bill
Phil… you’re a real man’s man. I’m heaps impressed to see you taking such concrete stands – quotes like “Well, that’s kinda funny, because as a guy deeply involved with the project, I know that statement is false. ” are really rare these days…
…unless it’s in public relations, where you hear something’s false all the time – so as to be politically correct. Such as NBC. But even so, in many ways their response is somewhat beneficial to the goal… If they had said “Yes, we did cut the God bits out”, then I have no doubt that you’d have thousands of Christians all of a sudden boycotting the show. Which would render the “get Christian values into the media” point completely moot.
All in all, I see big things happening, and it makes me happy :).
people. please take the long view on this. it’s not about a 22 minute attention span of a 6 year old. we are planting seeds here.
that 6 year old will want the dvd’s and they have the ‘god and bible stuff’ inside – we don’t need NBC to do the job that they church is supposed to be doing, right?
demonizing them for being a secular institution isn’t going to bring light anywhere.
It is aggravating to me that NBC isn’t being honest. Especially since it has already been told to us that it isn’t true. Alas, that is as far as I thought things out. So I will end before I go into a Veggie Tales babble fest. Have a good day.
pax.
As I said before this is hypocritical. I saw 3-2-1 Penguins last week and it contained a Bible verse (which meantioned God) and praying. And after reading this, I see that it’s absolutely ridiculous. Edited for time, my foot. We all know what happens when you lie. You have to “tell another and another until [your] trapped, a slave to [your] lies”, as Larry would say. I think NBC is going to trap themselves.
I want to know why NBC is making all these cuts to VeggieTales and not Penguins. But that aside, it’s not right. I know that if they tell the truth uproars will ensue but had they done the right thing in the first place it wouldn’t come to that. We’ll see how long they’ll keep this up. Since these shows are bringing in the highest ratings they might change their minds.
Phil, you have my undivided support.
I just learned today of the controversy regarding NBC’s request to remove religious references from the Veggie Tales series. Some may feel the end justifies the means, i.e., exposing kids to the values portrayed in Veggie Tales is worth compromising our religious beliefs and expression. However, I don’t believe any end is justified by this means.
God opened the door for Veggie Tales to be created and distributed, and He’s used it to reveal Himself to millions of children in a real and powerful way. We’re now going to remove Him from the picture to appease secular television producers?
What do we hope to gain from this? Don’t we understand that, devoid of God, Veggie Tales is no different from Blue Clues, Dora Dora, or any other secular children’s program. Is that all we’re interested in . . . providing positive children’s programming? I thought the purpose behind Veggie Tales was to help spread the good news that God loves and cares for us.
How could we even consider or debate compromising that message, let alone actually make the compromise?
Phil, I pray that you will reconsider your decision.
Sincerely,
Michele Pointer
Please, people that are not happy with NBC, let them know. Boycotting a station does little unless tens of thousands of people do it. If you boycott NBC and don’t watch VeggieTales, then they may see it as “look, the ratings were good to start and then got horrible…guess we’ll pull the show.” This doesn’t do a lot of good to keep the Veggies on the TVs of America, but some letters/e-mails to NBC are (at least to me) a better way to go about it. EMAIL – nbcshows@nbc.com be polite, but ask them about these issues or ask them why they censored VeggieTales…enough letters will turn heads, boycotting NBC could get the Veggies dropped. Each person has to find their own path, and this is the way I’ve been showing my displeasure with the situation. Another solution is to call your local station and talk to the program manager or the general manager…ask them these questions.
-Brian
I hope to be a gentle voice of reason as we all discuss this interesting event in the VeggieTales saga.
In order to get our bearings, I believe it is important that we understand NBC’s policies on broadcasting certain types of content during specific times during the day. At times when they believe more children are watching TV, they have different guidelines than when they are pretty sure that children are not watching TV. They even have different standards between the times when they expect children to be watching TV alone and when they think those children will be watching TV with an adult who can help inform them and guide them through what they are watching.
We may not agree with these standards and how NBC implements them but they are NBC’s standards and they let people know what they are when they are going to bring their shows to NBC. My understanding is that one of those standards is that when children are watching TV alone (like on Saturday mornings) they won’t allow overtly religious messages to be broadcast. They apply this standard to all religions (not just Christianity) because they believe that not all parents want their kids to be evangelized by a religion, especially if they aren’t there with the child.
That said, NBC really should own up to their standards and point out that they have had these standards in place for a long time and they probably communicated them to whomever wanted to have their show broadcast on the network. What NBC probably did wrong is that someone who did not know the whole story thought that the shows were mostly edited for time and wanted to keep the edits in the best light possible.
What NBC should have said and can still say is that the edits are consistent with their standards for kid’s programming and they are not singling out Christian programming or Christianity in particular. They just need to own up to the misrepresentation that is happening. If they requested edits because of Judeo-Christian content they should just say so. There really is nothing inherently wrong with that.
The longer they try to convince everyone that there weren’t edits based on the content, the more bad will they will garner.
That’s my one-cent. I want to reserve my second cent for one more post if needed. 🙂
wow! talk about weird! I guess the only thing we can do is hope and pray that what Phil said about the kids getting excited and buying the videos will come true. 😀
If Phil cannot stand behind the product that God inspired him to create and have the faith that if it was wanted on network tv that He’d make the way then I do think there is some selling out involved. The only value in the cartoon series is it’s ability to share Christ with children and their families. By taking out the references to God and the true inspiration of each episode, the cartoon becomes no better than every other mind candy out there. How disappointed we are!! And we’re going to think twice before we continue to support this ministry that’s apparently gone off track.
Phil, I personally dont buy into the fact that NBC was wholeheartedly at fault on this one( the bulk of it is). They need the rights to air this show and you have the copyrights. I know that was not your intensions but all of us need to take responsibility for our decisions whether they are good or bad.
It is amzaing that my honest comments about this subject is being omitted by this site. No vulgar language but honest opinion. That just goes to show you that not all of us on truly on God’s terms.
I wish the networks would simply admit they “diss” us Christians because we don’t behead them.
Phil! Pay homage to SouthPark and sneak in a picture of Mohammad!
I find it ironic that NBC says ” they don’t want to offend anyone” that is why the cuts to Veggies tales were made. Who were they looking out for when Matthew Perry was attacking the Christian faith and calling Pat Roberson a bigot on Studio 60? I sick of people thinking my faith is my intolerance, it is Gods law. Why wasn’t anything done about Studio 60 if they are so careful not to offend????
My 7 year-old daughter saw VT on NBC and was very excited. However, at the end she was very quick to notice that they did not talk about the Bible at the end – like they do on the videos. I’ll have her write a letter to NBC. 😉
I’m down here in North Carolina, surrounded by ‘Chreestyins’ of the evangelical–Republican sort, and their behavior and values are such that Madonna’s satire on NBC will actually flatter the faith. As far as “Vegetables” is concerned, any people who advocate the teaching of creationism are, well just about veggies themselves…..
And what do I worship, you ask? Why, I’m all American: I worship the almighty dollar; soon to worship the almighty ruan. Meanwhile, how much did you make on your media deal?
I stopped saying “Good Luck” a while ago because a pastor told me that it lends belief that good comes from something other than God. Since we all know that God is All Powerful and He IS… well… I say God bless now instead of Good Luck : )
I’m not a kid and I don’t have any. I’m 28, live alone and I absolutely love your cartoon. I know there has been some articles about what has or has not been edited from your show. I’ve never seen the original shows. That said, the edited versions remind me of a time when Saturday cartoons actually had a story. They remind me of a time when I actually learned something while sitting in front of the T.V. with a bowl of Apple Jacks. There was one episode that made me think about my own life, business and developing a niche product. 🙂
While the religious quotes and references to God are not there, the moral of the story is. I will be honest and say that I haven’t read the bible or attended church in years. However, I get the message you are delivering through Veggie Tales (the edited version). I’m sure the kids do as well.
Well, that’s my .02. Just wanted to let you know that I love your show.
Dear Phil. Glory and Praise to the Lord!!!. We just watch the episode of Minnesota Cuke and Samson’s hairbrush in Spanish. My husband and I were so happy to hear the name of the Lord clear and sound. The Lord always wins battle by battle, and He knows who He uses, when, and where, God never has a plan B, He is always right and He knew all about NBC from the beginning and He is working thru them and in them. May God continue blessing your life abundantly, and we thank Him for the precious gift He has given to you. Thank you again.
P.D. After every show we have the opportunity to tell our son Samuel “God made you special and He loves you very much”, isn’t this great!!! We are the parents and we have the privilege and responsibility to “finish” the show the way it always has been…. Thanks!!!
My question is why the rights to veggie tales were sold to NBC in the first place….You must have known that content would be changed….Oh I get it now….Christianity is for sale to the highest bidder instead of keeping Christ in our hearts it seems that we keep him in our wallets now….HmmmmI wonder who the false prophet is now. You should have sold those rights to a religious station rather then a secular one….you get what you pay for.
So, many of you believe in “God”. Do you also believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy??? At least you can find some actual evidence that they exsist. I have no problem with people of low intelligence but don’t expect me to be stupid too!!!!
Now I just read somewhere that Madonna will replace her scene singing on the cross with one of her dicing up vegetables instead. What will the children think of that?
Do not back down ! Stay strong in the faith ! Do what is right in the eyes of GOD !!!
Let’s just calm down for a moment folks. The majority of responses given are alarmist. We are responding as if this was the first time we ever heard of the “world’s media” making beligerent, outlandish and ‘devilish’ decisions. WAKE UP PEOPLE! This has been going on practically since day one. Besides the fact that we may not have been around when it all got started, how much of this nefarious & egregious junk have we ourselves indulged-in BEFORE we “all-of-a-sudden”, when its safe and even ‘fashionable’ to come out from underneath our prayer shawls and became vociferously alarmed? What else do you expect from the LOST & UNREDEEMED? Does anyone remember the Apostle Paul mentioning something about each of us having been of like-mind and action? Perhaps we should regain our composure for a moment and remember “WHO” is on the Throne. If He is truly in this thing, do you think He’s going to let the Evil One, who use’s these outlets to corrupt the minds & hearts of not only our children, but in far too many cases ‘us’ as well, to have the last word? Forgetta bout it! To Christ be the glory!
Why are these Christians so concerned about vegetables….because the majority of them are vegetables.
Hey folks! If you don’t like what NBC chooses to do with its programming and its standards, either build your own television station or turn of NBC. But stop trying to make NBC conform to your ideas—you don’t count. None of you are stockholders so shut up! You want to invest heavily in NBC, then you can voice your opinions at the annual stockholders’ meeting.
By the way, I would hope that NBC would just drop the show entirely. Go market the show to Christian Broadcasting Network or some other religious channel if you are so concerned about keeping the religious content “pure” and “doctrinaire.”
But before you do anything else, try getting a life. There are so many important things to deal with in this world that for all of you to worry about what NBC does with a Madonna concert or with “Veggie Tales” is just stupid. In fact, if the New York Times article on this topic hadn’t included a link to this blog, I never would have been exposed to the idiocy of the posters here.
Perhaps what we really should do is have a qualifying test for posters to see if they have the intelligence and the insight and the critical acumen to comment successfully on a topic.
It’s interesting how many of the people writing their opinions on this web site accuse NBC of having an agenda, when you have so clearly stated your own agenda. If NBC had a Saturday morning show promoting another religion other than Christianity, you would surely protest. There is no evidence that the Christian religion is any more important or correct than anybody else’s religion or philosophy. So it is important that your belief system is recognized as philosophy and not fact. Our children’s future depends upon that important distinction. This is a secular nation and there are many paths to the top of the mountain.
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 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.
Hey, Phil, if NBC’s editing your work in a manner with which you don’t agree, I think you should get some lawyers on it and pull the show from NBC. Walk away from those dollars, man – it isn’t worth having your vision distorted by those with different perspectives.
Phil Vischer made a contract with NBC and should stick with his commitment. NBC is only editing as they see fit, which Phil should have understood and clarified before signing the contract. An honest mistake…we all make them. People will purchase unedited versions of Veggie Tales who would not have otherwise known about VT because of airing edited versions on NBC. Learn from this mistake and go on. I am a school bus driver and I wear my Larry Boy VT shirt (which does not mention God) almost each week. Several students have told me they love VT and a few have asked what VT is about.
I, for one, will have a hard time letting my kids watch the pared down version of Veggie Tales. We own every VT on either video or DVD (keep them coming!!!) and I’d rather they watched those over and over than watch a new one without God referenced in it.
My boys ask me all sorts of questions about God after watching Bob and Larry and they learn something new about Him every day. VT makes children think about God. NBC doesn’t like that, but I do.
If you want to maintain your religious content, why not pursue religious outlets? Surely there are stations like PAX, etc., that won’t mind your content. Or is it that you want it both ways: to have the big paycheck and your artisitic integrity? And I wonder if this post will even make it on your blog … seems like the choir is well represented without any dissent.
Phil,
As a father of two girls, I am very pleased that Veggie Tales is now on netwrok television, but I knew that the enemy would not wait too long before trying to stop GOD’s message from being spread!
I expected nothing less than that from the broadcasters, epecially since they will put anything on from witchcraft to senseless violence and then hide behind the right to free speech.
Continue to move forward with what GOD has blessed you with and the light will shine through. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!
B. Lawson
Phil,
I’m a little confused here…Are you saying that you are okay with God being edited out of your stories? And if that is the case, what is the point??
Your answers will greatly effect any continued relationship my family, or the families I influence, have with VeggieTales.
Please tell me you are going to request that references to God remain. I understand that NBC can do what ever they want, but must we accomodate them???
Pastor David Sisco
Findlay, OH
Phil – my heart breaks for all the precious little souls that just might have heard that someone loved them. It may have been their only time!!!
Hey Phil
Its sorta like the old days ‘on the hill’ when they wanted to remove face cards from the poker games and make us play rook.
When you do business with somebody who has non-Christian standards, what do we expect? We all love the veggie tales for what they are- fun, positive messages that we believers can buy and share with our kids and our churches so we don’t have to watch the garbage on tv. I think that having this on NBC will attract new viewers to the Veggie Tales and expand the market for the videos at home- which will be another opportunity that can possibly plant seeds of the Gospel with another group that might not otherwise had ever seen it.
Anyone who would criticize this effort is shortsighted to the power of God. He can use anything to turn people to Him- even a watered down cuke.
Chiz- SPBC Class of 89
Phil,
It sounds like you’re talking out of both sides of your mouth. You want the network to run veggietales but your upset that they’ve edited it. What was your reason for letting them air it in the first place? To glorify God or make money. Also isn’t this something that should have been dealt with up front so this whole thing could’ve been avoided. I’m not sure it’s the networks fault as much as it is yours.
I am just learning about all this, really. Did I read that right in that there are new Veggie Tales being written for TV….goings on in Bob’s house….and that most of the “Christian” is going to be left out of the messages, to cooperate with NBC?
N.B.C.. is yesterdays news hardley anybody that watches T.V. does not have cable And most people that are under 60 watch cable more then the morbund networks. Please take your wonderful veggies to a free (free to let veggies be veggies and mention God) cable station before they get stale in the 1980″s
outdated N.B.C. land.
America, America what have you become? Afraid of the God who sheds his blessings on thee! Pray for the Holy Spirit to inspire the believers and unbelievers! This country is heading on a path of self destruction! And selling out the true message of your show, is just another example! What’s the point of short changing Veggie viewers – especially children. They can’t read between the lines? They need to hear it, see it, and be taught! Tell them God is with them always and loves them! Don’t cut it out of your show! They can’t decipher things like this. How ridiculous, but mostly sad! We are all to blame for our lack of vigilance and response to shows presented by the Networks that offend, deny, or mock our God and Faith! We cannot continue to bury our heads in the sand, while doing so at the expense of our children. Where are the Christians leaders? Why haven’t’ they united and put a forceful grip on TV land? Or are they selling out too?
Phil, it basically amounts to this: NBC leans heavily to the left and always has. This is just another chance for NBC execs to trample out morality in America. I have sent an email to NBC myself stating my distaste in this decision of theirs.
To me, this is following with NBC’s current trend. Jay Leno pegged them alright…NBC just doesn’t recognize good programming for what it is. “The Book of Daniel” was proof to me that NBC only uses religious programming when they want to benefit from it (even if it did bite them in the end). What is so offensive to anyone about the word God or even god? I could see it if Bob said “Jehovah made you special!” but that’s not the case. I just have a hard time understanding how the network can distribute programming that glorifies homosexuality, promiscuity, drugs, and gambling; yet blast a wholesome program such as VeggieTales on the basis of a quote glorifying God’s love.
My family have always supported BigIdea and VeggieTales, and always will. The Smallman family are very understanding (and glad) of ‘why [you] do what [you] do’ Keep up the good fight y’all!
(From East TN)
Cora Smallman, Big Idea Ambassador
I cannot help but wonder: if the veggies were praising Allah, would NBC have edited it out? Hmmmm. 😉
To edit or not to edit, an interesting question. But, from the first published articles, the real question is to offend or not to offend. This world is way too politically correct and because of that, standards are compromised, the truth is not spoken completely and freedoms are challenged or even slowly taken away.
To me, the problem is not NBC. The problem is all of the people who are crying, “I am offended by God”. Well, if you are offended by God, what do you do to deal with it in your real lives? From what I have seen, these people choose to ignore God. That is totally fine and within their right.
So why not choose the same action with NBC. If you are offended by God, then ignore the show and turn it off. But don’t require the content to be changed for everyone else who chooses to watch. I have had to do this for several years and will continue to do it, because I have a choice.
Phil,
First, I would like to applaud all your work with VT and bringing about a cartoon that kids really love and Christian parents can feel good about letting them watch. I can’t tell you how much my 3 year old son and 5 year old niece have benefited from VT and the Christian morals, values, and lessons that it teaches.
Second, I wanted to voice a concern the decision to edit VT has created for me. While I understand what you have said before – that new children are now getting to meet all the VT characters, and get exposed to good moral values – it just doesn’t seem the same without the references to the Bible or the use of God’s name.
Without the direct reference to the Bible and God, the “good” moral values that VT teaches could be coming from any number of places or other religions. We shouldn’t rely on parents to go out and buy the “original” videos just for the children to see the biblical portions.
The only point I wanted to make in regards to this issue (which I know has been talked about in various places) is that I have a hard time believing Jesus would want his message compromised this way. Nothing in what I have read in or learned about the Bible would tell me that Jesus would compromise His values or the truth – especially for children.
Again, thank you for the wonderful videos and I encourage to keep up the good work and continue spreading the awesome message of God! And I pray you continue to walk in God’s blessings!
🙂
I am disapointed you have agreed to participate in the NBC line up. In this day and age we need strong Christians to stand up to the big guys who keep watering down the true message of Jesus. Stand up, Phil and make a statement. Do not water down the VeggieTales message – please.
” God is bigger than the boogie man, He’s bigger than Godzilla or the monsters at NBC…… oh God is bigger than the boogie man and He’s watching out for you and me.”
What ever is going to happen, God can handle it…. pure and simple words from our dear Jr. Asparagus and, the words my 6,4,and 2 year old children quote often when things are scary.
I think this is just one more example of that ugly political correctness monster that folks are afraid of. It’s time folks for us to ….”Stand Up! Stand Up! For what we believe in, believe in, BELIEVE IN GOD………” By allowing them to omit those few little words here and there that imply God’s Providence is to send the message that we are okay with it…. I am not and I will not support the network by allowing my kid’s to watch their programming. And oh yeah, if any of you advertisers out there who were depending on your message to reach the Conservative Christian base of this great nation by investing in the new edited versions,…..I am not watching and neither are my friends. We won’t even see your message let alone buy what you are trying to sell us. Aren’t you glad you wasted your money? You see, I know what the real videos were supposed to say (Because I invested in the complete collection) and because you thought it was okay to take the gist out of the videos by sanitizing the message and watering down the truth, I figured I would remind you that some of us still care by speaking your language……hitting you in the pocket book.
My highest regards to you Phil and family,
Sarah
Bob the Tomato saying “God made you special and he loves you very much” is going to offend or exclude some religious group?
What religious group? There aren’t many that would be offended by this statement, and if they would be, they are probably so small as to be of nearly no consequence in the ratings. I suspect that NBC’s primary concern is that they do not want to offend any irreligious groups. Offending Christians is a sacrifice they are willing to make, but offending the irreligious, well, that is another matter.
The fact is, through NBC, the values of Veggie Tales are being broadcast into homes that wouldn’t normally get the videos. Regardless of religious affiliation, the values taught in VT are good and needed in our society. My God is mine, yours is yours, and I choose to raise my children with emphasis placed on values, not on religion – so while I appreciate the concern over the network’s truthfulness, I think the key is that VT is on TV – and now broad enough to reach families of ALL faiths with its core values — and that’s the most important part.
At least in the US there can be some discussion about values, morality and Christian concepts – in Canada, between “political correctness”, multiculturalism and anti-Christian adherents, that’s becoming increasingly impossible.
Phil, you and Mike have nothing to be ashamed of. You both have stuck closely, through some very difficult times, to your company’s motto, “Sunday morning values, Saturday morning fun”. This motto doesn’t claim for your team the role of preachers of the word, but does call you to be preachers of the values. This is a seed planted in families’ hearts, and whether it grows or whithers is completely up to God. In the meantime, it is yours to keep preaching the values of a Judeo-Christian worldview – something this world needs very much.
Phil stated that he knew that some editing would take place, and he has no problem with NBC or the final content. He was bothered by the implication that the cuts were made to conform to time constrains. He also states if he knew the cuts of God in the story, he would have declined. Phil is pleased that the truth is known. It has and he, although not happy with the lack of God in NBC, is satisfied with the truth in the open.
What we have missed perhaps is the fact that all the major entertainment networks (i.e. ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, WB, and any I have missed) all have keep God and Jesus in most of their programming. Listen carefully to the damning, the use of Jesus’ name in vain and the mocking of the Christian Churches.
As a Catholic, I am sensitive to the subtly attacks on the Catholic Church. They mock Pope at every turn. I stopped watching “law & order” due to all the main characters, including 1/2 Jewish Lennie, all have alcoholic Irish Catholic fathers who always beat them, their mothers, brothers, sisters, and anyone else who may have in the room.
All priests are implied to be child molesters. If you believe in Pro-Life, you are a religious fanatic. Pray before meals, you are a zealot. Go to church and you are living in the dark ages. If you voice objection to anything offending your values, and Christian morals you are stamping on the rights of those who are at liberty to debase our God and ridicule all Christians. Voice concern for the 4,000 babies each day aborted in America, and you are interfering in choice to kill.
God is mentioned every day in every hour on these free airwaves, but not in the way that glorifies Him.
If you are intent on stopping the avalanche of hatred to Christians on TV, do not call the networks. Call, write and email the sponsors. They put the pressure on the networks. When we use our rights to buy one product vs. another, the manufactures squirms, and the networks cave.
Pressure the networks yes, but if the advertiser withhold the dollars, we get our point across. The talking heads will of course shoot at us on the network news, but who is watching them anymore.
In the final words of an innocent Nun murdered by followers of Mohammad’s Islam “forgive them.” Pray for us to be forgiven our trespasses as we pray to forgive those who trespass against us.
Hey phil, don’t get discouraged by all the negative comments. That decision was between you and God, and he looks on the heart, we look on the outside. God Bless!
~Beth
Let me be “Frank…”
My initial reaction to the edits were less than enthusiastic. But after good counsel and some reflection on the picture as a whole, I believe that this was the correct thing to do. And the increased exposure of the children to a program that not only has “Absence of bad” but also “Presence of good” (from whom did I hear this?) will be a beneficial for them. As one wise person stated to me, You can remove some of the references to God from the video, but you cannot remove the underlying themes or how those themes are embedded with pointers to a higher power. (not verbatim of course)
Thanks Mr. Vischer for this forum
-pw
Sorry Phil,
I used to enjoy your shows until I had children. The one thing I never thought about before is the complete absense of Jesus Christ and biblical accuracy in any of the VeggieTales videos. For me, being an adult, that’s fine, I “get” the humor and slapstick, but my 3 year old — who is a part of the age group these videos target — doesn’t get “it.” How will my child get anything out of your videos except confusion. For some parents, that’s probably more than ok, but not me. We don’t live in the same world our grandparents did, who lived by the values of the Bible. We live in a plualistic society now, and when you use the name “God”, to which are you referring? Jehovah? Allah? The million or so in India? Sure, you reference the Bible, but man, even that you’ve so distorted that the real story, the salvation part of it, is lying somewhere in a heap on the editing room floor. It seems to me, with this latest episode with NBC, this has been long and coming. One compromise always leads to another, until all you’re lefft with is the “Church Growth” movement—a Christianity that is only a shadow. You say you want to reach people, but what exactly are you reaching them with? There’s no Jesus Christ mentioned. Are they just supposed to guess? Forget NBC man! Stand your ground for once and demand NOT to compromise! Is there no one left in the church with a backbone anymore? Sorry Bro man, but enough’s enough, don’t you think?
Fellow animator,
T
Television, NBC and other channels are continously offensive to Christians everywhere. So I have a solution. If you call yourself a Christian and you find the programming offensive, TURN OFF THE TV. All shows want ratings. If the millions of Christians who don’t like what is on TV, were to turn off the TV, it would do two things, force NBC (and other networks) to change their programming to help win back viewers, secondly, give Christians the big kick in the rear to get them busy DOING Gods work.
Boycotting advertisers does nothing to the shows being offered. I don’t watch the shows, so I have no idea who advertised during them.
Television has become an idol for so many people. (see 10 commandments) especially for those who call themselves Christians. If you spend more time watching TV, then you do studing God’s word, then I encourage you to crush the remote!
How could you sell out on us like that? How could you allow NBC to cut out the only thing that distinguishes Veggie Tales from any other cartoon. I was willing to sit there and monitor the occasionally obscene commercials NBC could play advertising their soft porn, prime time line up, just to give my daughter the opportunity to see new Veggie Tales shows, because the one million dvd’s and vhs tapes she already has are not enough for her, but if you remove God from the contents, NBC will go back to being exactly what has been up until now in my household, a ghost.
we belive this is like takeing the football out of monday night footbal and just having the half time show! What has our world come to or our country for that we were founded on christianity and now we dont dare teaching it to our children. Pray for the whole counrty not just NBC!
God Bless America
Phil, Thank you for all you do. While I don’t like that NBC won’t keep the Christianity in, you are still planting seeds. I agree that you will reach a whole new audience when they go and purchase your other Big Idea products. May God richly bless you for all of youe efforts!
Phil,
Keep fighting the good fight. NBC and the liberal media seek to “protect” the public from the Truth. Ours is a fight between darkness and light–Good and evil. Thank you for NOT remaining silent. Though 57, I enjoy watching the old Veggie tales for the wonderful message of Christ contained therein. STAND, my Brother, STAND!
Phil,
We don’t think this could’ve happened without some degree of selling out. It seems that anyone with experience in the TV business would have seen this coming.
You said that you understand how a secular network would want to remain religiously neutral. Surely you understood that before you sold to NBC.
We’re really disappointed to see another Christian putting money above his integrity and God in his career / business.
Phil, I don’t believe you’re putting money first, but I do believe your decision here is wrong. You’ve convinced yourself that this is the way to “reach people,” but you’re compromising the whole direction of your company. I notice that one other commentator pointed this out: Your post makes it clear that now the new stuff will be written with NBC’s so-called “standards” in mind. So now their anti-God bias is going to influence where VT goes from here on out. Bad news. I gather this means all references to God will have to be “modular” so they can easily be cut? No good. Cutting out God is “being all things to all men”? No way.
I notice in an interview you said you _hoped_ Big Idea would put back the old shows the way they were. Well, in case they don’t, I guess I’d better hurry up and get a DVD of “Where’s God When I’m Scarced” before it’s selling as “What should I do when I’m scared?” (And what _should_ Jr. do? Think nice thoughts? Can’t tell him God is bigger than the Boogey Man, now?)
As so often happens, this is saddest for the way it is corrupting the good and well-intentioned people involved.
Fight it, Phil. This present contract can’t be forever. Insist to the greatest of your legal power that the next contract be on entirely different terms. And if Big Idea won’t cooperate in that, quit.
My 13-year-old told me that you said in a clip on an old VT that your purpose was to tell kids about God. Isn’t that it anymore? Is it just to tell them to be nice? Look at the direction this is going, man. And perhaps ask yourself while you’re at it why God is so much more easily edited out of the newer stuff already. Perhaps the course changed some time ago…
Phil, I am sorry that some are so harsh in their comments. I pray that you stay encouraged and do exactly what God calls you to do. We believe that God is bigger than NBC and will be God regardless of what we say or do. So I am for trusting God in this and not man. We will continue to support VeggieTales with our words and our money.
I am so sick of this politically correct stuff! Give me a break. Leave the Veggies alone. Our society is so out of control, people need to stand up for values and not always worried about the almighty dollar. We can show almost naked women on television, and use vulgar language,but we can’t talk about God? I just don’t get it??? What is wrong with something clean and good on TV? Keep writing about values and God, television just has to turn around some day, doesn’t it?
I am really excited about seeing Veggie Tales on NBC. I know that it is being made “non-controversial” (for the non-believers that is) and that truly does sadden my heart that God has to be silenced as offensive when Satan is running rampant. But, personally we do not have cable because I personally believe that Satan is heavily twisted up in the programming and TV holds such amazing power over people’s lives. The fact a well known Christian series was even able to get in the door at NBC proves that God is moving here. There is no where that Satan can grab on here, the Veggie Tales stories are completely annointed by God and that is going to shine through. Those who love the Lord are going to see it. Those who don’t know the Lord are going to love the characters and buy the unedited DVDs and learn the truth! I know that it will all work out, God’s hand is obvious in every step that’s happened. Bless you Phil for creating these wonderful stories that have impacted not only my child’s life but have strengthened my own walk with God also. Many times I’ve ended a Veggie Tales episode and followed up with my own study of the story in the Bible discovering so much more than I was ever taught in Sunday School. Thank you for following God’s will for your life, you inspire me!
How very different from the post war era!
’40’s – 70’s, even 80’s! God is not a dirty word, nor is Jesus Christ, nor is Mohammed, or Buddha. People may worship as their conscience; politically correct? oh please, who made up that phrase anyway? NBC, remember all the lovely shows you had depicting Christmas with God in it and Baby Jesus?
Get real and be truthful…..
wow what a load of diverse comments on this page!
Phil I hope that you stay encouraged and keep working hard at what God has made you to do. I recently quit my job and started my own business – to do what I am talented at. And its working! why wouldnt it?
Jellyfish will be great – becuase your using those talents and not chasing some paycheck or fame. Follow the “call”, dont forget where you came from and the result will be a new way to tell stories more amazing than anyone else can imagine!
I cant wait to see it myself!
William Blaine- Instructor
William Blaine School of Music
Thanks, Phil for giving us a voice. God, is wonderful, His Will can’t be stopped. I am angry with NBC for worrying about “Political Correctness.” Who came up with that phrase anyway? I think to use for one’s own selfish motives.
I agree with Tara, #80. … And what happened to “freedom of speech?” If illegal immigrants can protest in our streets and those of Islam, etc.,what’s the big deal? Freedom of speech, remember, America?
If non-believers don’t want to hear about God, see symbols of our belief, such as a Nativity scene or a Channukah, mention of Jesus, or pray, etc., that’s their right and they don’t have to pray, buy could have the respect that fellow human beings have the same rights they do and more importantly, a different belief system. Christians don’t go around bashing non-believers, at least not the ones I know – we’re taught not to judge. We don’t judge Muslins or Buddists. We are incapable of making these decisions.
If people took a hard long look at the mid to late ’50’s and ’60’s when prayer was taken out of schools, most would realize that’s when our BEAUTIFUL USA started to go downhill…..
Let’s get back to basics!
Yes i have emailed you this 4 times. The person answering i just telling me the same thing. To look on your website but i can’t find it on you website. I need the story of Veggie Tales. How did it get started you know the story around it. I heared it on the radio a long time ago i don’t remember it very well. It is for school.
I wish I could take my name away from Commenter #36! Please don’t ever post online again.
I’ve read through these and I have to say I support Phil 100%. I’m not Christian, but I can certainly appreciate the message his videos bring across. Chances are if I were aware that a show had an obvious Christian slant, I’d discourage my 9-year-old from watching it. Why? Look at the responses here! Not much love and a lot of anger and bigotry. This morning I was watching “3,2,1 Penguins” with my son and was surprised at the need to quote the Bible for a simple message having to do with why a person shouldn’t break promises. The plot of the show made the point quite well without the need to be aligned with one particular religion. Without the Bible reference, the show would still do a lot of good. I think the network is right in trying to get quality material on the air without alienating anyone, and Phil is right that this will cause others to buy the videos and spread the message. Shame on those of you who are attacking the producer of these excellent children’s shows.