An open letter to NBC – No more “America’s Got Talent” for me, thank-you

Posted on May 23, 2012 Written by Mark McIntyre 1 Comment

I watch very little television, so in thinking about how we can cut our monthly bills, I have been considering dropping my cable service. My family and I decided to postpone the decision because there are some things on TV that are worth watching and it can be a good diversion.

Monday evening I sat down with my wife and daughter to watch America’s Got Talent on NBC. The talent show is a staple of every high school and most of the time they are quite fun. So how bad could it be?

During the show, it was uplifting to hear some of the stories of people trying to make a new start by marketing a skill that they have developed. Many of the contestants are very talented. Some are really untalented but don’t know it. A few of the acts are like watching a train wreck happen, you know it’s going to be really bad, but you can’t stop watching.

Then there was the final act in last night’s show. I knew we were in trouble when the MC commented on the smell of baby oil as four body builder types waked out on the stage. Their “talent” turned out to be a male stripper routine containing simulated sex acts and self groping. We could not change the channel fast enough.

NBC, if this is what you consider “family” entertainment, then I must say no thank you for my share. You’ve pushed me closer to removing television from my home entirely.

This really is a shame because much of the show was uplifting. But no amount of prior uplifting material could make up for the raunchiness at the end.

Even if I do not disconnect my service, AGT will not be viewed in my house moving forward. NBC has proved that they cannot be trusted to determine what is appropriate for me or my family.

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

Quality vs. quantity – thoughts on building the church

Churches can be so enad with numerical growth that the focus is on quantity and quality suffers. Heed the warning of Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.

Theology vs. Experience?

There are some who would downplay theology and doctrine in favor of renewed experience of the power of God. “It’s not about doctrine” is a phrase that I’ve heard a few times within Christian circles. I found this quote from Tim Keller helpful when thinking about theology vs. experience: “We are not called to choose […]

More than you can handle

On the surface, it seems correct to say that “God will not give you than you can handle.” Paul does tell us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to escape the situation. But it is a huge jump to infer from this that God will not allow you to encounter situations that you cannot handle.

The Minimalist’s Path to Spirituality

Minimalism is not an encouragement to renounce life as you know it and live out your days as a pauper. It is a call to embrace that which you need to survive comfortably and to release yourself from the rest.

Giving them reason to blaspheme

The church has given non-believers cause to blaspheme the name of God. How have we done this and how can this error be avoided?

Introduction to the Beatitudes – Sermon on the Mount #3

Before examining the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-11, it would be helpful to offer a few words on the meaning of the word translated “blessed” in our English Bibles. The word in the original is makarios, which in Homer denoted the “transcendent happiness of a life beyond care, labor and death.” (Theological Dictionary of the New […]