Catholics Media and Culture

Yesterday I wrote about the launch of Kelsey Grammer’s Right Network — suggesting that, while the idea of a conservative-values TV network is a winner with a huge potential audience, this particular exercise is plagued by an overly-obvious name, an unfortunate preoccupation with politics and inadequate distribution. Regarding the distribution part of that equation, I…

The Right Network (which launched yesterday) is off on the wrong track. Now, let me start right off by saying I’m a big fan of Kelsey Grammer’s work (Frasier may just be the greatest sitcom in TV history) and I think the idea of a conservative values entertainment network is golden.  There’s definitely a traditionalist…

Feisal Abdul Rauf, the Muslim imam behind the planned Islamic cultural center on the site where a landing gear from one of the planes used in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center plummeted to earth has written an op-ed piece for the New York Times. In his column, his first detailed attempt to…

Christians, Jews and others, from around the world are rightfully condemning a non-denominational Florida church’s plan to burn Qurans on the upcoming anniversary of 9/11. It difficult to see how such an aggressive assault on someone else’s religion conforms to Jesus’ command to “Do unto to others as you would have others do unto you.” …

I received some comments on yesterday’s blog regarding the hostage crisis at the Discovery Channel headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.  The gist of it was that, while the hostage taker appeared motivated by the arguments of environmentalists, specifically Al Gore, it would be wrong to hold them or their legitimate viewpoints hostage to the actions…

Wednesday’s bizarre hostage-taking incident at the headquarters of the Discovery Channel in Silver Spring, Maryland ended, thankfully, with the hostages unharmed. Unfortunately, the hostage taker, James J. Lee, had to be killed by police. We’re told he was environmental zealot who wanted the network to air programs that met his demands. Among those demands (coming…

Bristol Palin will be among the cast of this season’s edition of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. The daughter of former GOP vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin will be hoofing it with the likes of Mike Sorrentino (aka “The Situation” on MTV’s Jersey Shore), Audrina Patridge (MTV’s The Hills) David Hasselhoff (Knight Rider), Jennifer Grey (Dirty…

We’ve come a long way from G.I. Joe and Captain Action. Dexter, Showtime’s critically-acclaimed serial-killer-as-hero crime drama, has gotten the action figure treatment. Now, I’ve got to be honest. I don’t get Showtime and wouldn’t watchthis show if I did —  though at least one person I respect who claims it’s excellent.  It’s just that…

I watched just about a half hour of last night’s Emmy Awards on NBC before turning it off in exhaustion.  Like most everything on TV these days, it just was trying to hard. The show began with host Jimmy Fallon (who I actually like) in a taped piece featuring the cast of Glee, Tina Fey,…

Russell  Simmons, whose downtown Manhattan apartment overlooks Ground Zero is using his window space to send a heartfelt message regarding faith and pluralism that I would hope we can all agree on. Spelling out the word “COEXIST” by using various religious symbols in place of the letters (i.e. a Islamic Crescent in place of the…

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