Decidedly my favourite scene with the big guy. He often came across as weak or ineffectual, even a little dim, but in this scene, he showed what he's REALLY made of. INTEGRITY. Love it.
And they did it without turning him into a different character. These days, it would be a strident, flawless speech with stirring music and no apologies. But the writers and actor here were smart enough to not violate the character. In this scene, he is awkward, struggling to counter the opposing argument, fighting against his own conciliatory & apologetic instincts, and you can feel the effort it takes for him to do this. That makes the scene more powerful than the way shows deliver shallow feel-good moments these days.
@@kevgamble Damn well said. Yes, he speaks his mind in the polite, halting manner that Mr. Carlson would, not some soaring, preachy, scripted speech. IOW, he makes his case in the manner that real people do.
There are moments in television (at least, there USED to be; maybe there still are but I don't watch TV any more) that are so utterly profound that cannot be forgotten. I saw this episode when it first aired some 40 years ago. It absolutely riveted me, and its message stuck with me all these years. Censorship is an ugly thing. It is incompatible with (indeed, a threat to) a free society, and this illustrates it brilliantly.
@@kleetus92 Back then, it was Christians censoring, now(jan2021) it is censoring Christians. Upon review, Censoring Christians has been an objective for about 1990 years. 2021: A few decide what is allowed. Big censor.
@@bleeding4721 liberals are a cancer on society and should be treated as such. Imagine hating life so much you're offended by a preschool plastic potato.
In my opinion, Wkrp was almost flawless in their script writing. I would've only added the concept of 'free will' to Carlson's argument. This was a very powerful scene at the time, but still resonates today.
Dr Bob Halliers : "Then I'll just have to love my enemies, like the Good Book says Mr. Carlson : " I hope so. Because I don't think you're going to be able to trust your friends."
Grew up on KRP as a kid & even then could appreciate how Gordon could so convincely play both the Big Guy that thought turkeys could fly & the Big Guy that stood up & take on serious issues when needed to. Don't forget the saving the historical building status, the unionization issue & the "little Arthur" military school terror child, the Venus Flytrap/Gordon Sims AWOL episodes, all where he showed his strong moral side. Thanks Gordon 'Mr Big Guy' Jump for all the laughs & memories!!👍👏
This is a kind of writing we don't get enough of anymore. While it's clear where the writers' sympathies lie - and mine go with them - they don't take the easy step of making the religious guy outlandishly irrational. Instead they have him pose a rational argument that isn't so readily dismissed - and Carlson struggles with it before digging further down to the point where ideas themselves are the point of contention. To fit all that thoughtfulness and nuance into 4 minutes of a sitcom - I'm not sure audiences could handle that now, sadly.
@@bleeding4721 Legislatures pass laws censoring teachers to prevent the critical study of racism, because it might upset white kids. School libraries are ordered to remove books from lists compiled by people who are offended by anything that doesn't fit their worldview. That's censorship, by people who you say have not voice? Because it fits the mindset of the right that they are victims despite controlling legislatures, governors, state offices, and even the Supreme Court. Liberals are censoring you? Don't make me laugh
I remember seeing this when it first aired, and although already an advocate of this POV at the advanced age of 13, I do remember it making an impression, and 40 odd years later I still remember it.
@PullupSeattle 2.0 The religious right have always been easily offended. They are the originators of cancel culture. Now both sides are upset by everything.
@PullupSeattle 2.0 True. Liberals have really gone overboard. However, the conservatives still whine and complain just as much. But now that it is both sides doing the canceling, it is just everywhere. I mean look what happened when Starbucks stopped saying 'Merry Christmas'! The GOP and religious nut bags went crazy! FOX news even complained!
WKRP was an awesome show, and This was one of the better episodes. William Daniels had been the first choice to play the religious leader until someone noticed that Richard Paul resembled Jerry Falwell. Paul went on to play a couple of Falwell-like character, and even portrayed Falwell himself in "The People vs Larry Flynt." I would like to review the whole episode, because there were some scenes occurring before and after this one that really lent themselves well to the story.
Great scene by Mr. Carlson. Another good one was when he spoke to Herb Tarlek about the latter's alcohol problem. The big guy wasn't always out to lunch.
There are moments when you think that characters such as Arthur Carlson, who were written as bumbling clowns, really shine in those special moments like this one. It speaks to the heart of our democracy and how special interests are not interested in censoring offensive content but rather ideas, and to stop people from getting any ideas that elevate them as equals to those who believe they are more important than the masses.
Richard Paul was a very skilled actor--he could play buffoonish characters with ease, but here he took a slightly heavier turn, and the back and forth was fascinating to watch.
Character actors didn't always have that much versatility, but I remember Richard Paul in several TV shows, and you're SO right! He could pull off playing those "cleanest-looking-but-is-a-scumbag" type of characters.
@@djhrecordhound4391 And there is no doubt this character and others are a direct 'parody' of Jerry Falwell. The Cleanest Looking But Is A Scumbag of them all ;)
This could be the most memorable scene ever in Television for me! Something special about this scene and how Arthur stood up to him for such a controversial reason. Thanks for posting this on UA-cam!
usually Mr Carlson seemed to be in a fog, but on the rare times he didn't, you saw a real leader. That steps out here and it's an argument against censorship i have carried with me you decades, that's really something.
Most of the Far Right were calling that Song a Communist Brainwash. It does have strong statements in it, but as an Atheist, and a person that Despises the Right, and Far Right, I think it is a Song that is realistic
@@pjimmbojimmbo1990 I've considered myself a leftie for decades, and I have no problem saying it's the whiny, narcissistic (a different 'extremist') leftists that embarrass all of us with "cancel culture". You hit the nail on the head HARD. Imagine is most realistic, and this episode was extra powerful when it aired, around the time of John Lennon's assassination.
I remember seeing this when it first aired. I applauded that last bit when Arthur walked out on him. Later on when Congress held the hearings about this type of censorship of music they had John Denver testify. The Religious Right thought they had a ringer for them and their line of thought. Denver totally destroyed them and their viewpoints. "Mr. Wholesome" was one of the biggest opponents of the censorship the Right wanted to do. Later on in ST:TNG there was a line in the episode The Drumhead: "With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably. ... The first time any man's freedom is trodden on, we're all damaged."
I remember those hearings. One of the other witnesses was Dee Snider from Twisted Sister. They thought they could make a fool of this gaudy looking hard rocker - not realizing he was an articulate, intelligent, devout Christian (who could deliver a Biblical argument against censorship). Snider destroyed them
Powerful scene. Still rings true today, maybe even moreso with the advent of the internet. WKRP is a classic show and probably under-rated when it comes to great sitcoms.
@@alcd6333 I am happy to hear your free speech sir I do no care about any particular group on the political spectrum. Instead of being left or right, maybe I am up. Actually I do not take sides. I hope you are having a great day.
Religious fanatics such as most TV evangelists use the word blasphemy as a tool for lining their greedy pockets with money from their brainwashed sheeple.
@@SilentKnight43 yep. It is hard not to get exhausted by those fanatics. They hate people who are reflective and questioning. I hope your evening is fine.
Later in the episode (after the economic boycott of WKRP)... Travis: We are going to fight them. And if that fails, we're going sic Les Nessman on them. Carlson: Wow.... that could be the end of organized religion as we know it. 🤣🤣🤣 What a timeless and amazing show!
"Watch out for those broadcasters who cave in to your pressure, because principles don't mean a darn thing to them, all they're doing is trying to save their swimming pools. Oh they'll be the first ones to sit at your table, but I think the good ones are going to be the ones who'll put up a loss and fight." "Then I guess like the Good Book says I'll have to learn to love my enemies." "I hope so, because I don't think you'll be able to trust your friends"
Ferret John I think also from this episode the Big Guy says something to the effect These Bozo,s don,t know who they are dealing with .WKRP has been losing money for years. Man I really hated when WKRP got canceled.
@@lilorbielilorbie2496 You and me both. A true quality program that could be so funny, then turn right around and put up a fantastically well written episode to make you think, as with this episode.
@@S.Kowalchuk My favorite of the many great lines from this episode was from Andy Travis (Gary Sandy): "He's not saying 'I don't like this music. I don't want to listen to it.' He's saying 'I don't like this music. I don't want *anyone else* to listen to it.'" That right there is the perfect antidote to these cancel culture cultists.
@@S.Kowalchuk Yes! I know your reference, the episode with Venus Flytrap (Tim Reid) showing the tough young kid basic atomic theory in terms that he could understand. That one was just excellent.
The late Richard Paul, I've seen him him play ministers, twice as Jerry Falwell, bur I'll always remember him as the enept Mayor Teddy Burnside in CARTER COUNTRY.
It's just amazing how they could write such a critical point about democracy into such a goofy premised show. I used to watch the show in syndication pretty regularly but never saw this episode. But ironically I had this exact same point come up when I was in grade school, and for show and tell I brought in the sheet music to "Imagine" that I was learning to play. I started to sing it, and when I got to the line "imagine no religion"... my teacher, an old biddy, great teacher but also someone who sang in the church choir, said, "Thank you, that will be enough" and took away my sheet music until the end of the day, when I did get it back to take home. But the message was clear enough - she didn't care for blasphemy in her classroom. To which I now look back and think, well,it was only a grade school class and most of the kids didn't care about a music book show-in-tell compared to someone who brought in the coolest new toy or gadget. And had she just let me sing the song and sit down, I never would have appreciated this lesson about power, the control of ideas, and how, basically just like in the clip, a small group of powerful people will have no qualms about undermining democracy when they believe they are in the right. And that applies to more than ever as the left has come out with the same kind of attitudes about discussion and thinking for yourself.
Wow. This is why WKRP is such an underrated classic show. A show way ahead of its time. This topic of religion vs secular was a big issue on even commercial radio back around 1980. Specially even secular songs that did not contain strong sexual violent or even homophobic and racial lyrics (in this case “Imagine” by John Lennon) being debated by a few ultra Evangelical Christian Activists. And 40 years later here in 2019/2020 still a hugely controversial and sensitive issue probably even more so in a political divided America.
This first aired on April 12, 1981, just four months after John Lennon was killed. That's probably as fast as they could get a reference to Lennon out. So as well as being a stand against censorship, it was a very nice tribute to John Lennon. Well done.
Great episode. Back then, it was Christians censoring, now(jan2021) it is censoring Christians. Upon review, Censoring Christians has been an objective for about 1990 years. 2021: A few decide what is allowed.
@@dbwindhorst1 What a stupid response! Another liberal with an 'any kind of debauchery is ok' attitude, no doubt. You are free to think and do as you wish, but in this age, people are being forced to 'appreciate' and 'encourage' their sicknesses. If you don't, you are canceled.
A calm, rational, intelligent conversation between 2 people who disagree. You know that was a long time ago. You can't find a conversation like that on American television anymore.......
"I have no choice...." That preamble has been, and still IS, used to rationalize all manner of hideous things. And it's an outright LIE. Unless you're working under duress, YOU HAVE A CHOICE. Yes, if a local theater is showing a movie you don't like... you are absolutely free to NOT GO SEE IT. That's personal choice, and it's your right as an American citizen. You do NOT, on the other hand, have the right to insist that others can't see it. That's fascism, and it is NOT American.
@@Gunners_Mate_Guns The mindset behind religion takes many forms. It's very evident in politics and, increasingly, in society and business. A privileged few engaging in mass deception to ruthlessly manipulate and exploit others and to deprive them of their rights.
@Sam Bacon Where? Get back with me about the big, bad right wing when you see them beating up liberals with bike locks inside wool hunting socks or rioting, as the *left-wing* does when ordinary down the middle conservative Ben Shapiro gets when he holds a speaking event at any university.
@Sam Bacon You must be kidding, right? If what you say is true, why is the UK currently still fighting to get what the people voted for specifically: Brexit? Now, run along.
@Sam Bacon I love being told by a proud globalist that globalism trumping national sovereignty isn't really happening. It's akin to Colonel Sanders telling me that he doesn't *really* serve chicken.
I remember the episode were the mr Carlson found out Venus was a deserter from Vietnam and I remember Venus telling the big guy about weird Larry a Vietnam story powerful episode
Yes The part where he described Weird Larry tossing a VC prisoner out of the copter, then looking at Venus and diving out of the copter himself was chilling. Tim Reid is an excellent actor.
I actually use this clip to teach my kids about how two different groups/people can come to different ideas on how someone should lead their lives especially when it comes to the music we listen to. And, as a proud dad, both my kids ( on their own agendas ) side with the music.
It's easy to tell the good guys from the bad guys when you write the script. I'm against that kind of censorship, but there are some forms of speech which are & should be prohibited, such as child porn, libel, false advertising, fraud. The problem with this scene (and many of the commenters) is that they see _only_ the religious right as intolerant censors. These days intersectional progressive thought is far more intolerant to the point where they claim certain words are the same as violence. There's more than one kind of censorship.
@@Caseytify Exactly The religious fanatic censors in the 1980s met strenuous resistance from the news and entertainment media (nearly all, just as today, liberals), along with lots of resistance from conservatives (myself included). Fast forward to today, and the far left shuts down any words they don't like, this time with the enthusiastic support of that exact same news and entertainment media, leaving only the conservatives to resist. If we can't even agree on the most basic principle of free speech, we are finished as a nation, and the far left wants *exactly* that.
@@bleeding4721 Sadly true, although if Hugh Wilson were alive today, he would see this for what it was and want to produce an episode about it, although the rest of the entertainment media would doubtless shut it down.
Ah, yes, the legendary Teddy Burnside, "Your mayor by landslide" - as played by Richard Paul on the short-lived sitcom, "Carter Country", which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1979.
When asked about the song's meaning during a December 1980 interview with David Sheff for Playboy magazine, Lennon told Sheff that Dick Gregory had given Ono and him a Christian prayer book, which inspired him the concept behind "Imagine". "The concept of positive prayer ... If you can imagine a world at peace, with no denominations of religion - not without religion but without this my God-is-bigger-than-your-God thing - then it can be true ... the World Church called me once and asked, "Can we use the lyrics to 'Imagine' and just change it to 'Imagine one religion'?" That showed [me] they didn't understand it at all. It would defeat the whole purpose of the song, the whole idea."
Arthur Carlson was politically conservative, but he was also a decent and fair man and stood for principle. I remember when most conservatives were more like the Big Guy than what they've become today. Carlson was what Eisenhower or Rockefeller Republicans were like back then.
Censorship is plain WRONG, no matter who wields it in the name of morality from the Christian Right or from the "woke" left! Both sides are guilty for advocating "restricting" free speech.
Both sides make compelling arguments about Free Speech and Opposition to unwanted content. But at the end of the day, Free Speech must prevail, and the right not to watch, listen, or agree must also prevail. This means, videos and comments posted on UA-cam, Facebook, Twitter, or where have you must be fully protected for its Free Speech content, whether you like it or not. YOU, however, have the absolute Right not to listen, read, watch, or agree with it... you have the absolute right to move on from it. What you do not have the absolute Right to do is to have it censored because it violates your own values, beliefs, etc... you can simply ignore it and move on from it, avoid it, disagree with it, etc., but you do not have the right to tell others what to think, read, watch, or agree or disagree with either. The right of Speech is the right for all, whether you agree to like it or not, it is a fundamental Right.
If you don't like it, don't look at it, don't read it, and don't dance to it. Why do the biggest and proudest "patriots" never believe in the founding principles of "AMERICA"
One of the most amazing scenes in the history of television! Defending "Imagine" by John Lennon to a religious fanatic who is hellbent on silencing philosophical thought.
Love this scene. So appropriate even in 2018. I still go back and forth agreeing with EACH SIDE in this argument. Love John Lennon reference...Ill always think of this scene when its on the radio
I agree jackkemp1. Very appropriate today. Funny how the left is now doing the censoring instead of the religion. My how times have changed or should I say, how the pendulum has swung.
@@scottbc31h22 They are censoring EVERYONE by insisting that EVERYONE is only allowed to use the Liberal-leftist, pc-approval words, vocabulary and subject matter. Anyone not following this mantra is accused of wrongthink, is de-platformed and boycotted.
@@hippyjason Can you site specific words, points, or views that the “left” has censored? It sounds more like the airing of grievances rather than coming up with a logical, well-thought-out argument. According to the First Amendment, for the exception of a few phrases, you can’t be imprisoned or detained by the government for what is said. What you don’t like is that people are held accountable for the words they use, seeing the consequences for the words used. If you want to say something, no one is stopping you from saying them, however, don’t be surprised if you see criticism for them.
Similarly on M*A*S*H, Col. Blake could be as ditzy as possible, but they did show from time to time he could be wise when he needed to be. The best example is his conversation after Hawkeye watched his buddy die on the operating table in "Sometimes You Hear the Bullet".
@Sam Bacon Oh I get it. You are privileged with making an assertion to Brad James without supporting solid evidence, but require it from me. Sounds very one sided dont'cha think? Why don't you instead present factual evidence on why you think his statement is incorrect and we'll go from there. After all, you're the first to dispute his comment, let's hear why.
I remember watching this when aired and viewing it now years later the impact still resonates. Look into Sinclair Broadcasting, extremely powerful /extremely religious media empire, the scene here between the Big Guy and the Jerry Farwell clone exists today as we speak. There's a reason why Church and State should be separated.
Carlson was a decent person. He bumbled a good bit but he knew what was right and what was wrong. Well...As long as Turkey's weren't involved anyway. ;)
Remember when the Left used to be AGAINST censorship? This was one of the best scenes from one of the best series on TV. This and Soap were my favorites back then. They weren't afraid to take on controversial topics.
@@cityhawk In case my reply to you didn't go through I susggest watching this episode. It kind of really points out what's wrong with repressing free speech. I remind you that pleasant speech doesn't need protection; vile speech does.
This was a huge problem back then. Religious blackmail. This killed religious advertising. No one would take there money any longer.no one wanted to let them control there advertising. The religious blackmail of the 70and 80 was crazy. Now .now one will take religious adverts except for the cheap Kate night slot. LOL
No, he criticized it as socialist claptrap, but he in no way wanted it censored. The ability to comment on a song that you disagree with is just as important as the sentiment expressed in said song. Meanwhile, we have wokesters right now busily toppling statues, having such "offensive" books as "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" taken out of schools, and having their fellow wokesters in Big Tech censoring anything that conflicts with left-wing ideology.
I’m sure looking like Jerry Falwell gave that actor a lot of gigs as a holier than thou evangelical preacher in many tv shows and movies. If they’d made a JF biopic he would’ve started in it
@@fmatson I am from Cincinnati and it still disturbs me how Cincinnati was SUCH a bastion of "Right wing conservative "family" values" crap... we were in the center of SOOO much of that stuff. from the Larry Flynt issue.. to Mapplethorp.. ugh.. we were always on the map for all the wrong reasons.. but the Free thought won out eventually and we got SI Leis out of there FINALLY ... ugh. I hated that man.. he was in control for Far too long in Cincinnati.
I saw this when I was 14. I got the whole thing. What is funny to me is. I'm from Cincinnati and live here. But then I never ( I guess being young) thought of it a Cincinnati or Mid West thing. It was just STUPID.
What xaenon said. The show lasted four seasons, and this episode was the final episode of the third season. The series lasted one more season, so this had nothing to do with its cancellation. The real blame for the show not going for at least a few more seasons lies with the inept (or malicious?) CBS management, who insisted on moving its broadcast schedule around, resulting in damaging the show's ratings. When it went into syndication, it surprised everyone by how popular it was, more so than many brand new shows at the time. It's sad that programs of such quality as this, M*A*S*H, All in the Family, The Andy Griffith Show, and the (original) Twilight Zone are just not out there any longer. In fact, I almost never watch TV at all, except for maybe the odd episode of "Cops" or "Live PD."
Here's an interview with the producer that will shed some light. ua-cam.com/video/PExGo9b1K44/v-deo.html There's also a full interview link in this video that explains it all.
It’s quite interesting having seen this episode recently, their is no substitute lyrics given as there are with the actual music in many scenes. I guess IP only takes hold when you marry the words and melody.. I’ve always wondered did they have to pay for the rights to use Lennons lyrics?
If you don't like a movie or a book or what's playing on the airwaves yes you do have the right to say I don't like that. You don't have to go to that movie read that book etc. However you don't have right to say everyone else can't see the movie read the book etc. That's censorship. And that's wrong.
Comedy relies on truth: if you can make it funny, you can tell anybody anything. Truth and freedom are inextricable. Fascists are rarely funny, but easy to make fun of. Also, they hate it so much when we laugh at them.
2022... small groups of people not only control what we see and hear, but what we can say. And it's not any religious group, it's the far right. How times have changed.
Decidedly my favourite scene with the big guy. He often came across as weak or ineffectual, even a little dim, but in this scene, he showed what he's REALLY made of. INTEGRITY. Love it.
Amen!
Gordon Jump was so likeable in his role as the Big Guy, Mr. Carlson.
He is missed.
And they did it without turning him into a different character. These days, it would be a strident, flawless speech with stirring music and no apologies. But the writers and actor here were smart enough to not violate the character. In this scene, he is awkward, struggling to counter the opposing argument, fighting against his own conciliatory & apologetic instincts, and you can feel the effort it takes for him to do this. That makes the scene more powerful than the way shows deliver shallow feel-good moments these days.
@@kevgamble Damn well said.
Yes, he speaks his mind in the polite, halting manner that Mr. Carlson would, not some soaring, preachy, scripted speech.
IOW, he makes his case in the manner that real people do.
@@Gunners_Mate_Guns I heartily agree with you, friend.
Gordon Jump stood up to his own church leaders in real life when he was on the TV show Soap, and he was in the right then as well.
SOAP was another brilliant show! So far ahead of its time! Never laughed and cried on the spin of a dime like SOAP.
Just watched this for first time on 11/04/2019 and Wow, talk about a powerful moment in entertainment history. I;m in awe how good this was!
Ivan, you are truly right in your assessment - this is such a great moment in the annals of television.
ua-cam.com/video/khD8fvpqKYI/v-deo.html
There are moments in television (at least, there USED to be; maybe there still are but I don't watch TV any more) that are so utterly profound that cannot be forgotten. I saw this episode when it first aired some 40 years ago. It absolutely riveted me, and its message stuck with me all these years.
Censorship is an ugly thing. It is incompatible with (indeed, a threat to) a free society, and this illustrates it brilliantly.
How appropriate the topic of censorship comes up today with what Twitter Facebook and the rest of big tech is up to on recent days...
@@kleetus92
Back then, it was Christians censoring,
now(jan2021) it is censoring Christians.
Upon review,
Censoring Christians has been an objective for about 1990 years.
2021:
A few decide what is allowed. Big censor.
@@cptrikester2671 And anybody else that disagrees...
In the past two weeks they gone after Muppets, Curious George, Dr Suess and now Pepe Lepew
@@bleeding4721 liberals are a cancer on society and should be treated as such.
Imagine hating life so much you're offended by a preschool plastic potato.
"first you censor the word, then you censor the idea"... Where does it go from there? Imagine!
Washington school board removes ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ from curriculum due to racial sensitivity
@@kevindouglas5333 And the apartheid government in South Africa bans the book "Black Beauty" on the title alone. 😳
And thus, cancel culture was born!
A great scene.
Both Gordon Jump and Richard Paul were brilliant actors who passed on way too soon.
RIP to the both of them.
He even looks like Jerry Falwell, eh?
It's funny that you say that, he played Falwell in "The People vs. Larry Flynt"
I hope you didn't mean the big guy looked like Falwell, BC I was talking about the other guy in the scene, Richard Paul.
Actor Richard Paul. He also played the mayor in another sitcom, "Carter Country."
I would say that's not a coincidence.
Pretty sure that was the point when they hired that actor
In my opinion, Wkrp was almost flawless in their script writing. I would've only added the concept of 'free will' to Carlson's argument. This was a very powerful scene at the time, but still resonates today.
Hugh Wilson was a genius writing WKRP
You as a person have the right to choose to go to that movie theater or listen to that song. Taking that choice away from you is the crime.
If memory serves me, the episode doesn't even end on a happy note. Very bold for a sitcom, back then.
Dr Bob Halliers : "Then I'll just have to love my enemies, like the Good Book says
Mr. Carlson : " I hope so. Because I don't think you're going to be able to trust your friends."
@@richardcaul5787 Yep, that line was a gut punch.
This was one of my favorite episodes of the whole excellent series.
Grew up on KRP as a kid & even then could appreciate how Gordon could so convincely play both the Big Guy that thought turkeys could fly & the Big Guy that stood up & take on serious issues when needed to.
Don't forget the saving the historical building status, the unionization issue & the "little Arthur" military school terror child, the Venus Flytrap/Gordon Sims AWOL episodes, all where he showed his strong moral side. Thanks Gordon 'Mr Big Guy' Jump for all the laughs & memories!!👍👏
Turkeys can fly... Not for very long, but they can.
This is a kind of writing we don't get enough of anymore. While it's clear where the writers' sympathies lie - and mine go with them - they don't take the easy step of making the religious guy outlandishly irrational. Instead they have him pose a rational argument that isn't so readily dismissed - and Carlson struggles with it before digging further down to the point where ideas themselves are the point of contention. To fit all that thoughtfulness and nuance into 4 minutes of a sitcom - I'm not sure audiences could handle that now, sadly.
Nice analysis, love your take. Spot on. A 4 minute lesson on censorship and the attack on free will.
They cant write it now. Cause now its their liberal side doing the censoring and most agree with it or don't have the courage to fight it
@@bleeding4721 HA HA LOLNOPE
@@bleeding4721 INJECT. THE. CLOROX. ALREADY.
@@bleeding4721 Legislatures pass laws censoring teachers to prevent the critical study of racism, because it might upset white kids. School libraries are ordered to remove books from lists compiled by people who are offended by anything that doesn't fit their worldview. That's censorship, by people who you say have not voice? Because it fits the mindset of the right that they are victims despite controlling legislatures, governors, state offices, and even the Supreme Court. Liberals are censoring you? Don't make me laugh
I remember seeing this when it first aired, and although already an advocate of this POV at the advanced age of 13, I do remember it making an impression, and 40 odd years later I still remember it.
Episode aired April 12, 1981. I can't believe it has been almost 40 years ago.
YES! I was 14 and it was a profound moment for me also.
@PullupSeattle 2.0 The religious right have always been easily offended. They are the originators of cancel culture. Now both sides are upset by everything.
@PullupSeattle 2.0 True. Liberals have really gone overboard. However, the conservatives still whine and complain just as much. But now that it is both sides doing the canceling, it is just everywhere. I mean look what happened when Starbucks stopped saying 'Merry Christmas'! The GOP and religious nut bags went crazy! FOX news even complained!
WKRP was an awesome show, and This was one of the better episodes. William Daniels had been the first choice to play the religious leader until someone noticed that Richard Paul resembled Jerry Falwell. Paul went on to play a couple of Falwell-like character, and even portrayed Falwell himself in "The People vs Larry Flynt." I would like to review the whole episode, because there were some scenes occurring before and after this one that really lent themselves well to the story.
Great scene by Mr. Carlson. Another good one was when he spoke to Herb Tarlek about the latter's alcohol problem. The big guy wasn't always out to lunch.
And the brief scene with Herb after Herb calls out the Pill provider on the air..
One thing we must remember Gordon Jump was always a standup guy.
Even when hunched over a broken Maytag.
@@lmiddleman LOL!
By all accounts, Gordon was as good and decent a man as the character he portrayed, Arthur Carlson.
There are moments when you think that characters such as Arthur Carlson, who were written as bumbling clowns, really shine in those special moments like this one. It speaks to the heart of our democracy and how special interests are not interested in censoring offensive content but rather ideas, and to stop people from getting any ideas that elevate them as equals to those who believe they are more important than the masses.
Richard Paul was a very skilled actor--he could play buffoonish characters with ease, but here he took a slightly heavier turn, and the back and forth was fascinating to watch.
It's watching him go from being a kind friend to revealing his true desires that makes you appreciate how good an actor Richard Paul was
Character actors didn't always have that much versatility, but I remember Richard Paul in several TV shows, and you're SO right!
He could pull off playing those "cleanest-looking-but-is-a-scumbag" type of characters.
@@djhrecordhound4391
And there is no doubt this character and others are a direct 'parody' of Jerry Falwell.
The Cleanest Looking But Is A Scumbag of them all ;)
This could be the most memorable scene ever in Television for me! Something special about this scene and how Arthur stood up to him for such a controversial reason. Thanks for posting this on UA-cam!
usually Mr Carlson seemed to be in a fog, but on the rare times he didn't, you saw a real leader. That steps out here and it's an argument against censorship i have carried with me you decades, that's really something.
One of the greatest moments in sitcom history
LMAO
@@BAKER22-l4u I dunno...I'd say the turkey drop episode beats this...or say, the final Newhart scene...or...
Quoting John Lennon's Imagine was no accident. This was filmed just after Lennon's murder.
Most of the Far Right were calling that Song a Communist Brainwash. It does have strong statements in it, but as an Atheist, and a person that Despises the Right, and Far Right, I think it is a Song that is realistic
@@pjimmbojimmbo1990 They were right.
@@pjimmbojimmbo1990 I've considered myself a leftie for decades, and I have no problem saying it's the whiny, narcissistic (a different 'extremist') leftists that embarrass all of us with "cancel culture".
You hit the nail on the head HARD. Imagine is most realistic, and this episode was extra powerful when it aired, around the time of John Lennon's assassination.
And to think this is the same character who thought that turkeys could fly. God, I loved Arthur Carlson.
I remember seeing this when it first aired. I applauded that last bit when Arthur walked out on him. Later on when Congress held the hearings about this type of censorship of music they had John Denver testify. The Religious Right thought they had a ringer for them and their line of thought. Denver totally destroyed them and their viewpoints. "Mr. Wholesome" was one of the biggest opponents of the censorship the Right wanted to do.
Later on in ST:TNG there was a line in the episode The Drumhead: "With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably. ... The first time any man's freedom is trodden on, we're all damaged."
Yes . And trying to "rewrite history" by tearing down statues of Confederate leaders,etc is JUST as bad ! .
Now do the left today trying to take Shakespeare and Twain and To kill a Mockingbird out of schools
Washington school board removes ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ from curriculum due to racial sensitivity
And it's not the "Religious Right" pushing for censorship today, it's the other side of the isle.
I remember those hearings. One of the other witnesses was Dee Snider from Twisted Sister. They thought they could make a fool of this gaudy looking hard rocker - not realizing he was an articulate, intelligent, devout Christian (who could deliver a Biblical argument against censorship). Snider destroyed them
This and a few similar events are why the crew at WKRP are so loyal to The Big Guy. At his heart is is a good man.
WKRP was one of the greatest tv shows of all time
As relevant a discussion today as it was over forty years ago. Peace and love to EVERYONE.
Powerful scene. Still rings true today, maybe even moreso with the advent of the internet. WKRP is a classic show and probably under-rated when it comes to great sitcoms.
WKRP can't be made today, even if they tried. The radio industry isn't even a shell of its former self anymore
We need more of this today. Just so happens that "Imagine" is my favorite song.
Wow, this was a fantastic show. Loved it as a kid and still do!
excellent. The problem, with fanatics is they believe that they speak for God and to disagree with the fanatic is blasphemy,.
Leftists today feel the same: the only "free speech" they approve is what they agree with. And many of them are atheists.
@@alcd6333 I am happy to hear your free speech sir I do no care about any particular group on the political spectrum. Instead of being left or right, maybe I am up. Actually I do not take sides. I hope you are having a great day.
Religious fanatics such as most TV evangelists use the word blasphemy as a tool for lining their greedy pockets with money from their brainwashed sheeple.
@@SilentKnight43 yep. It is hard not to get exhausted by those fanatics. They hate people who are reflective and questioning. I hope your evening is fine.
@@avecmoi9429 as opposed to the lefties going after Dr Suess,The Muppets, Curious George and now Pepe lepew in the name of social justice
Later in the episode (after the economic boycott of WKRP)...
Travis: We are going to fight them. And if that fails, we're going sic Les Nessman on them.
Carlson: Wow.... that could be the end of organized religion as we know it.
🤣🤣🤣
What a timeless and amazing show!
amazing writing-and for a sitcom!
"Watch out for those broadcasters who cave in to your pressure, because principles don't mean a darn thing to them, all they're doing is trying to save their swimming pools. Oh they'll be the first ones to sit at your table, but I think the good ones are going to be the ones who'll put up a loss and fight."
"Then I guess like the Good Book says I'll have to learn to love my enemies."
"I hope so, because I don't think you'll be able to trust your friends"
Ferret John I think also from this episode the Big Guy says something to the effect These Bozo,s don,t know who they are dealing with .WKRP has been losing money for years. Man I really hated when WKRP got canceled.
@@lilorbielilorbie2496 You and me both.
A true quality program that could be so funny, then turn right around and put up a fantastically well written episode to make you think, as with this episode.
@@S.Kowalchuk My favorite of the many great lines from this episode was from Andy Travis (Gary Sandy):
"He's not saying 'I don't like this music. I don't want to listen to it.'
He's saying 'I don't like this music. I don't want *anyone else* to listen to it.'"
That right there is the perfect antidote to these cancel culture cultists.
@@S.Kowalchuk Yes!
I know your reference, the episode with Venus Flytrap (Tim Reid) showing the tough young kid basic atomic theory in terms that he could understand.
That one was just excellent.
The late Richard Paul, I've seen him him play ministers, twice as Jerry Falwell, bur I'll always remember him as the enept Mayor Teddy Burnside in CARTER COUNTRY.
It's just amazing how they could write such a critical point about democracy into such a goofy premised show. I used to watch the show in syndication pretty regularly but never saw this episode. But ironically I had this exact same point come up when I was in grade school, and for show and tell I brought in the sheet music to "Imagine" that I was learning to play. I started to sing it, and when I got to the line "imagine no religion"... my teacher, an old biddy, great teacher but also someone who sang in the church choir, said, "Thank you, that will be enough" and took away my sheet music until the end of the day, when I did get it back to take home. But the message was clear enough - she didn't care for blasphemy in her classroom. To which I now look back and think, well,it was only a grade school class and most of the kids didn't care about a music book show-in-tell compared to someone who brought in the coolest new toy or gadget. And had she just let me sing the song and sit down, I never would have appreciated this lesson about power, the control of ideas, and how, basically just like in the clip, a small group of powerful people will have no qualms about undermining democracy when they believe they are in the right. And that applies to more than ever as the left has come out with the same kind of attitudes about discussion and thinking for yourself.
Wow. This is why WKRP is such an underrated classic show. A show way ahead of its time. This topic of religion vs secular was a big issue on even commercial radio back around 1980. Specially even secular songs that did not contain strong sexual violent or even homophobic and racial lyrics (in this case “Imagine” by John Lennon) being debated by a few ultra Evangelical Christian Activists. And 40 years later here in 2019/2020 still a hugely controversial and sensitive issue probably even more so in a political divided America.
Now do the left trying to take Shakespeare,Mark Twain and To kill a Mockingbird out of schools
It's no wonder I loved the character of Mr. Carlson. Thanks for the memory Jonathan.
Gordon Jump was such a likeable character actor.
By all accounts, he was a genuinely decent person in real life, too.
One of my favourite sitcoms from the 1980s.
This first aired on April 12, 1981, just four months after John Lennon was killed. That's probably as fast as they could get a reference to Lennon out. So as well as being a stand against censorship, it was a very nice tribute to John Lennon. Well done.
Thank you for adding context to the clip.
Tribute? Lol....SO WRONG
@@BAKER22-l4u Imagine there's no trolls, it's easy if you try...
Cannot believe how unfortunately relevant this scene is today
Great episode.
Back then, it was Christians censoring,
now(jan2021) it is censoring Christians.
Upon review,
Censoring Christians has been an objective for about 1990 years.
2021:
A few decide what is allowed.
🙏
@@ml3110 yes
HA HA LOLNOPE
@@dbwindhorst1 What a stupid response! Another liberal with an 'any kind of debauchery is ok' attitude, no doubt.
You are free to think and do as you wish, but in this age, people are being forced to 'appreciate' and 'encourage' their sicknesses.
If you don't, you are canceled.
@@cptrikester2671 "...people are being forced" Forced? Explain, please.
I wish tv was still this good... sigh...
A calm, rational, intelligent conversation between 2 people who disagree. You know that was a long time ago. You can't find a conversation like that on American television anymore.......
"I have no choice...." That preamble has been, and still IS, used to rationalize all manner of hideous things. And it's an outright LIE. Unless you're working under duress, YOU HAVE A CHOICE.
Yes, if a local theater is showing a movie you don't like... you are absolutely free to NOT GO SEE IT. That's personal choice, and it's your right as an American citizen.
You do NOT, on the other hand, have the right to insist that others can't see it. That's fascism, and it is NOT American.
A-freaking-men!
These cancel culture scumbags need to realize that *THEY* are the new religious fanatics.
@@Gunners_Mate_Guns The mindset behind religion takes many forms. It's very evident in politics and, increasingly, in society and business. A privileged few engaging in mass deception to ruthlessly manipulate and exploit others and to deprive them of their rights.
@Sam Bacon Where?
Get back with me about the big, bad right wing when you see them beating up liberals with bike locks inside wool hunting socks or rioting, as the *left-wing* does when ordinary down the middle conservative Ben Shapiro gets when he holds a speaking event at any university.
@Sam Bacon You must be kidding, right?
If what you say is true, why is the UK currently still fighting to get what the people voted for specifically: Brexit?
Now, run along.
@Sam Bacon I love being told by a proud globalist that globalism trumping national sovereignty isn't really happening.
It's akin to Colonel Sanders telling me that he doesn't *really* serve chicken.
Gordon jump was great in this role and rip to him and Frank Bonner and Howard hedsman great series great cast overall
I remember the episode were the mr Carlson found out Venus was a deserter from Vietnam and I remember Venus telling the big guy about weird Larry a Vietnam story powerful episode
Yes
The part where he described Weird Larry tossing a VC prisoner out of the copter, then looking at Venus and diving out of the copter himself was chilling.
Tim Reid is an excellent actor.
I actually use this clip to teach my kids about how two different groups/people can come to different ideas on how someone should lead their lives especially when it comes to the music we listen to. And, as a proud dad, both my kids ( on their own agendas ) side with the music.
It's easy to tell the good guys from the bad guys when you write the script. I'm against that kind of censorship, but there are some forms of speech which are & should be prohibited, such as child porn, libel, false advertising, fraud. The problem with this scene (and many of the commenters) is that they see _only_ the religious right as intolerant censors. These days intersectional progressive thought is far more intolerant to the point where they claim certain words are the same as violence. There's more than one kind of censorship.
@@Caseytify Exactly
The religious fanatic censors in the 1980s met strenuous resistance from the news and entertainment media (nearly all, just as today, liberals), along with lots of resistance from conservatives (myself included).
Fast forward to today, and the far left shuts down any words they don't like, this time with the enthusiastic support of that exact same news and entertainment media, leaving only the conservatives to resist.
If we can't even agree on the most basic principle of free speech, we are finished as a nation, and the far left wants *exactly* that.
@@Gunners_Mate_Guns these episodes are not being written today. Cause its their side doing it
@@bleeding4721 Sadly true, although if Hugh Wilson were alive today, he would see this for what it was and want to produce an episode about it, although the rest of the entertainment media would doubtless shut it down.
@@bleeding4721 ua-cam.com/video/x0Lc5b8Flto/v-deo.html
What a great scene.
Handle it Roy handle it handle it handle it
Ah, yes, the legendary Teddy Burnside, "Your mayor by landslide" - as played by Richard Paul on the short-lived sitcom, "Carter Country", which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1979.
When asked about the song's meaning during a December 1980 interview with David Sheff for Playboy magazine, Lennon told Sheff that Dick Gregory had given Ono and him a Christian prayer book, which inspired him the concept behind "Imagine".
"The concept of positive prayer ... If you can imagine a world at peace, with no denominations of religion - not without religion but without this my God-is-bigger-than-your-God thing - then it can be true ... the World Church called me once and asked, "Can we use the lyrics to 'Imagine' and just change it to 'Imagine one religion'?" That showed [me] they didn't understand it at all. It would defeat the whole purpose of the song, the whole idea."
it is the ESOTERIC TEACHINGS of Christ that matter.. NOT the RELIGION .. RELIGION is full of dogma and hate .. and control..
WKRP tried to warn us about these nutjobs 41 years ago.
Like the liberal left nut jobs today.
This episode is profound anytime it is played watched.
Arthur Carlson was politically conservative, but he was also a decent and fair man and stood for principle. I remember when most conservatives were more like the Big Guy than what they've become today. Carlson was what Eisenhower or Rockefeller Republicans were like back then.
Great episode, great show.
Like all con-men, this “preacher” is THE problem in our society
More like Jewish Hollywood,
The preacher is only one of the problems.
Wow,, what a great scene!!! From a great show!!!
Censorship is plain WRONG, no matter who wields it in the name of morality from the Christian Right or from the "woke" left! Both sides are guilty for advocating "restricting" free speech.
Aww are you sad you can’t call people slurs anymore
The guy behind the desk looks like Jerry Falwell!
I vividly remember watching this scene when it first aired 40 years ago.
That actor looked a lot like Jerry Falwell. And I suspect that's not a co-incidence.
Both sides make compelling arguments about Free Speech and Opposition to unwanted content. But at the end of the day, Free Speech must prevail, and the right not to watch, listen, or agree must also prevail. This means, videos and comments posted on UA-cam, Facebook, Twitter, or where have you must be fully protected for its Free Speech content, whether you like it or not. YOU, however, have the absolute Right not to listen, read, watch, or agree with it... you have the absolute right to move on from it. What you do not have the absolute Right to do is to have it censored because it violates your own values, beliefs, etc... you can simply ignore it and move on from it, avoid it, disagree with it, etc., but you do not have the right to tell others what to think, read, watch, or agree or disagree with either. The right of Speech is the right for all, whether you agree to like it or not, it is a fundamental Right.
If you don't like it, don't look at it, don't read it, and don't dance to it. Why do the biggest and proudest "patriots" never believe in the founding principles of "AMERICA"
One of the most amazing scenes in the history of television! Defending "Imagine" by John Lennon to a religious fanatic who is hellbent on silencing philosophical thought.
Yeah, but it's still communist tripe.
Love this scene. So appropriate even in 2018. I still go back and forth agreeing with EACH SIDE in this argument. Love John Lennon reference...Ill always think of this scene when its on the radio
What makes that part so poignant is that it wasn't that long after John Lennon was murdered. It was still fresh on our minds then. Beautifully played.
I agree jackkemp1. Very appropriate today. Funny how the left is now doing the censoring instead of the religion. My how times have changed or should I say, how the pendulum has swung.
@@nickgoesvestmode Exactly WHO is the left censoring?
@@scottbc31h22 They are censoring EVERYONE by insisting that EVERYONE is only allowed to use the Liberal-leftist, pc-approval words, vocabulary and subject matter. Anyone not following this mantra is accused of wrongthink, is de-platformed and boycotted.
@@hippyjason Can you site specific words, points, or views that the “left” has censored? It sounds more like the airing of grievances rather than coming up with a logical, well-thought-out argument. According to the First Amendment, for the exception of a few phrases, you can’t be imprisoned or detained by the government for what is said. What you don’t like is that people are held accountable for the words they use, seeing the consequences for the words used. If you want to say something, no one is stopping you from saying them, however, don’t be surprised if you see criticism for them.
Awesome intetrity here - take it or leave it. IDEAS? HOW ABOUT ETHICAL MORAL CONDUCT from each side.
"That decision was made by one, man." Happening more and more often than ever before.
Soon we'll have to "imagine" real freedom.
Even more relevant today with the threats of religious fascism in America.
Didn't know the left with their political correctness and cancel culture was religious fascism. Learn something new every day
But they only censor Christian fanatics. Try to stay something about Islam and see what you get
Washington school board removes ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ from curriculum due to racial sensitivity
Similarly on M*A*S*H, Col. Blake could be as ditzy as possible, but they did show from time to time he could be wise when he needed to be. The best example is his conversation after Hawkeye watched his buddy die on the operating table in "Sometimes You Hear the Bullet".
"In command school, they taught us two lessons.
Rule Number One is young men die.
Rule Number Two is doctors can't change Rule Number One."
What a great show that was.
A great scene, from a poignant episode.
Handle it, Roy. Handle it. Handle it.
Ah, it's good to see that you're friends with Mayor Teddy Burnside of Clinton Corners, Georgia.
@@MegaJustGeorge Oh, yes. One of the best shows ever.
“Ears to Hear”... consider the concept and it’s origin. Then consider the wages. Follow the money. There is a poverty in seeking more🙏🔑✌️
One of the best episodes of any series.
That guy was a bully!
Just like the leftists of today!
@Sam Bacon Actually Brad is correct, sorry for your loss.
@Sam Bacon Oh I get it. You are privileged with making an assertion to Brad James without supporting solid evidence, but require it from me. Sounds very one sided dont'cha think? Why don't you instead present factual evidence on why you think his statement is incorrect and we'll go from there. After all, you're the first to dispute his comment, let's hear why.
I remember watching this when aired and viewing it now years later the impact still resonates. Look into Sinclair Broadcasting, extremely powerful /extremely religious media empire, the scene here between the Big Guy and the Jerry Farwell clone exists today as we speak. There's a reason why Church and State should be separated.
Now do Twitter and Facebook...I'm sure big tech censoring for the left has you just as upset. Right, butthead
The "christian" conservatives hated this episode. That guy played Jerry Falwell to a T.
The late Richard Paul!!!
Carlson was a decent person. He bumbled a good bit but he knew what was right and what was wrong.
Well...As long as Turkey's weren't involved anyway. ;)
Remember when the Left used to be AGAINST censorship? This was one of the best scenes from one of the best series on TV. This and Soap were my favorites back then. They weren't afraid to take on controversial topics.
What is it specifically that the “left” has censored? I hear people from the right claiming to be censored yet fail to site specific sources for them.
@@cityhawk In case my reply to you didn't go through I susggest watching this episode. It kind of really points out what's wrong with repressing free speech. I remind you that pleasant speech doesn't need protection; vile speech does.
This was a huge problem back then. Religious blackmail. This killed religious advertising. No one would take there money any longer.no one wanted to let them control there advertising. The religious blackmail of the 70and 80 was crazy. Now .now one will take religious adverts except for the cheap Kate night slot. LOL
If you grew up with a strong fundamentalist background like I did it could really mess with your head
But they take money from every one else who run and hide the same way when the left comes with their list
Its really hard to stick to your core argument when you get that hard of a run around
Its hard to find the core of argument, not words but the idea itself.....
To this day it continues as Ben Shapiro had a real major hissy fit over “Imagine”.
Now do the left trying to take Shakespeare and Twain and To kill a Mockingbird of schools...dumbass
No, he criticized it as socialist claptrap, but he in no way wanted it censored.
The ability to comment on a song that you disagree with is just as important as the sentiment expressed in said song.
Meanwhile, we have wokesters right now busily toppling statues, having such "offensive" books as "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" taken out of schools, and having their fellow wokesters in Big Tech censoring anything that conflicts with left-wing ideology.
Richard Paul always excelled at playing these types of characters.
There was a laugh at it being communism.
And that is exactly what I think it is.
Communism was in TV decades before this TV show aired.
John Lennon said that song was exactly what they said here. It was a nice way of talking about Communism.
If they should put that kind of movie that I don't like I have the right to not buy a ticket
There's a little button on my TV that I can push when I don't want to watch something. It turns the TV off
I’m sure looking like Jerry Falwell gave that actor a lot of gigs as a holier than thou evangelical preacher in many tv shows and movies. If they’d made a JF biopic he would’ve started in it
Richard Paul did play Jerry Falwell in The People vs Larry Flynt.
@@fmatson I am from Cincinnati and it still disturbs me how Cincinnati was SUCH a bastion of "Right wing conservative "family" values" crap... we were in the center of SOOO much of that stuff. from the Larry Flynt issue.. to Mapplethorp.. ugh.. we were always on the map for all the wrong reasons.. but the Free thought won out eventually and we got SI Leis out of there FINALLY ... ugh. I hated that man.. he was in control for Far too long in Cincinnati.
Teddy Burnside from Carter Country. Recall this episode well. Very good writing here.
This clip represented the tyranny of the minority.
I saw this when I was 14. I got the whole thing. What is funny to me is. I'm from Cincinnati and live here. But then I never ( I guess being young) thought of it a Cincinnati or Mid West thing. It was just STUPID.
He sounds like the Taliban.
I remember this episode when he read the lyrics to Imagine!!
This when TV was good, thought provoking, and not trash like today (2023).
More censorship today.
I always thought this was the episode that caused WKRP to be cancelled
Naw, WKRP had simply run its course and the ratings were slipping fast. It's just the nature of episodic television.
What xaenon said.
The show lasted four seasons, and this episode was the final episode of the third season.
The series lasted one more season, so this had nothing to do with its cancellation.
The real blame for the show not going for at least a few more seasons lies with the inept (or malicious?) CBS management, who insisted on moving its broadcast schedule around, resulting in damaging the show's ratings.
When it went into syndication, it surprised everyone by how popular it was, more so than many brand new shows at the time.
It's sad that programs of such quality as this, M*A*S*H, All in the Family, The Andy Griffith Show, and the (original) Twilight Zone are just not out there any longer.
In fact, I almost never watch TV at all, except for maybe the odd episode of "Cops" or "Live PD."
PinkOld I still watch NCIS, the show kind of sucks, but Gibbs is the man.
Here's an interview with the producer that will shed some light. ua-cam.com/video/PExGo9b1K44/v-deo.html
There's also a full interview link in this video that explains it all.
Three words, freedom of speech….. one more word, capitalism. It was a great show and a great episode. Imagine…….
It’s quite interesting having seen this episode recently, their is no substitute lyrics given as there are with the actual music in many scenes. I guess IP only takes hold when you marry the words and melody.. I’ve always wondered did they have to pay for the rights to use Lennons lyrics?
The quote they use jumps around in the song, they only use bits and pieces at a time. IANAL that qualifies as fair use.
If you don't like a movie or a book or what's playing on the airwaves yes you do have the right to say I don't like that. You don't have to go to that movie read that book etc.
However you don't have right to say everyone else can't see the movie read the book etc.
That's censorship. And that's wrong.
Comedy relies on truth: if you can make it funny, you can tell anybody anything. Truth and freedom are inextricable. Fascists are rarely funny, but easy to make fun of. Also, they hate it so much when we laugh at them.
Washington school board removes ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ from curriculum due to racial sensitivity
Zany as it seems. WKRP taught more morality than the reality crap on television today.
2022... small groups of people not only control what we see and hear, but what we can say. And it's not any religious group, it's the far right. How times have changed.