Suggested Programming For Ewtn

[Lil Red]

I love this, and I think it's totally spot-on:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thecrescat/2013/07/suggested-programming-for-ewtn.html

 

 

… Speaking of not liking things we are supposed to like just because they are Catholic (like Popes), let’s talk about EWTN. Sam Rocha hates EWTN. As do I. I adore Mother Angelica and the rosary. The televised mass is a delight. The rest of the programming; however, is a bit droll. It’s too serious. Seriously Catholic. So Catholic. Overly serious.

 

*Yawn*

 

Catholics are a riot. We drink, we laugh, we have van loads of babies and every feast day is a mini party. Catholics are lovers of life and connoisseurs of beauty. We need to be showing the world that side of Catholicism. The joyous every day side of the faith and Her very real and relatable followers.

 

So what’s with all the seriousness? How about a reality series following around large Catholic families? People were fascinated with the Duggars but Catholics are the hispters of the big family. I recommend Simcha Fisher and Clan Donaldson for the job. Comedy gold right there, folks.

 

Might I also suggest a show called What Not To Wear To Mass hosted by Hallie Lord. She can take your trashy teenage daughter and slovenly son for a wardrobe intervention. If you run into copyright issues with the phrase “What Not To Wear”, I think Yaweh or the Highway has a nice sound to it.

 

Or even better, at Matthew Alderman‘s suggestion, a clerical version entitled “How Not to Vest,” where a wisecracking deacon and nun throw out Fr. Polyester’s hideous chasubles?

 

OOoooo. And a Catholic redecorating show. Where a team of decorators goes into the home of a new convert and adds the obligatory, yet tasteful (or not), Catholic tchotkes. Projects could also include building a family altar or Prie-dieu. Dwija would be perfect for the job!

 

How about a gardening show, called Mary’s Garden. Where the host turns your ugly yard into a lovely garden accentuated with statues while providing educational background and the spiritual significance of various flowers. Terry Nelson was made for a show like that.

 

And why hasn’t this been done yet… a Catholic home brewing show? Or a show touring monastery breweries and vineyards. Visit local pubs owned and operated by Catholics. I’m sure you could twist the Catholic Drinkie’s arm to host a show like this.

 

How about a travel show visiting parishes as they celebrate their patron’s day with parties and processions. A cultural guide to Catholic parties, if you will. I’ll gladly host that show.

 

Just give us something more entertaining and representative of our faith than series after series of guest speakers sitting around a coffee table. And stop with the poorly produced, cheesy movies. Every time there is a low budget production on the life a saint an angel loses it’s wings and a kitten dies.

 

EWTN… there I fixed it.

Edited July 17, 2013 by Lil Red

[Basilisa Marie]

Seriously.  So many people have this idea that holy = boring, and EWTN certainly isn't helping. 

[homeschoolmom]

What? No Catholic version of "Bridezilla"?

Edited July 17, 2013 by homeschoolmom

[dUSt]

I always thought that a "Duck Dynasty" type show following around the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in NY would be an amazing thing.

[CatholicsAreKewl]

There's a global community of Catholics. They could do so much with that. 

[Ice_nine]

I read the article that was linked in this excerpt (Sam Rocha, whoever the hell that is). Made my head hurt.

 

As for EWTN, it's not all terrible. When they try to do "fun" things it turns out rather sad. The "hey we're men, let's relate biblical truths to sports!" comes to mind. In all fairness tho I don't think Christian (evangelical/protestant) who have "christian" alternatives for every conceivable form of secular entertainment have it right either.

 

 

[MissyP89]

I used to fall asleep to Benediction in the wee hours of the morning when I was depressed in junior year. 

 

But generally I have outgrown EWTN. It filled my head with knowledge but did very little to stir up love and joy in my heart. Makes me think of Paul saying "I can speak in tongues of angels, but if I have not love, I have nothing." or something like that.

 

That was me for a long time. I'm making a pointed effort to get away from that now.

[ACS67]

EWTN has been a "saving grace" for many when they could not find anything remotely resembling Catholicism in their local parishes.  I understand Ms. Fernandez and Mr. Rocha are rather young and perhaps they do not remember the 1980s when the Catholic Church in America (I can't speak for other parts of the world) was becoming increasingly so progressive that a local parish no longer even resembled (nor desired to) anything remotely Roman Catholic.  I am 45 years  of age.  I do remember.  And although this progressive deconstruction of the Catholic Church has become more of an anomaly these days,(Deo Gratias!)  it does still exist.  Therefore for those who still live in a wasteland, EWTN keeps them connected to the traditions and teachings of the Magisterium of the Church and keeps people from spinning off and joining schismatic groups, which unfortunately are plentiful these days.  If that is "boring" to Ms. Fernandez and Mr. Rocha I would suggest that they search their own hearts.  What is perhaps "boring" to them is perhaps a source of instruction and means of holiness for others.  Conversion is an ongoing process. 

 

It should go without saying that we are meant to be "in the world, not of it."  Therefore to suggest EWTN put on programs that resemble the "reality" of secular television seems rather ignorant to me but then again I have never been a big "fan" of "The Crescat" (I learned of her when I lived in North Carolina, which is where she is from, Charlotte, matter of fact) and I have only just heard of Mr. Rocha.  However, in regards to the latter I will say this, for him to rag on Fr. Robert Barron, one of the most brilliant minds in Catholicism today....to be colloquial all I can say is: "Seriously?   Are you kidding me???" The arrogance...wow! 

[Seven77]

For some reason, this Catholic Blogger (TM), among others, always annoys the crap out of me. Something to do with elitism. But she make a valid point. While its important to remember that EWTN is a primarily catechetical station, the shows for kids, teenagers, and young adults are sad and unappealiing. About the Catholic movies about Saints--- that's the fault of the filmmakers, not EWTN. There's only like 5 really good Saints movies. But anyway… some of the programming could use help. It's good to know that there are other good Catholic networks like NET TV in New York and Catholic TV in Boston that shine in some of the areas that EWTN is lacking in. More Catholic channels is a good idea-- but it scares me because that means a heterodox one could possibly spring up. So yeah, whatever man.

[Seven77]

EWTN has been a "saving grace" for many when they could not find anything remotely resembling Catholicism in their local parishes.  I understand Ms. Fernandez and Mr. Rocha are rather young and perhaps they do not remember the 1980s when the Catholic Church in America (I can't speak for other parts of the world) was becoming increasingly so progressive that a local parish no longer even resembled (nor desired to) anything remotely Roman Catholic.  I am 45 years  of age.  I do remember.  And although this progressive deconstruction of the Catholic Church has become more of an anomaly these days,(Deo Gratias!)  it does still exist.  Therefore for those who still live in a wasteland, EWTN keeps them connected to the traditions and teachings of the Magisterium of the Church and keeps people from spinning off and joining schismatic groups, which unfortunately are plentiful these days.  If that is "boring" to Ms. Fernandez and Mr. Rocha I would suggest that they search their own hearts.  What is perhaps "boring" to them is perhaps a source of instruction and means of holiness for others.  Conversion is an ongoing process. 

 

It should go without saying that we are meant to be "in the world, not of it."  Therefore to suggest EWTN put on programs that resemble the "reality" of secular television seems rather ignorant to me but then again I have never been a big "fan" of "The Crescat" (I learned of her when I lived in North Carolina, which is where she is from, Charlotte, matter of fact) and I have only just heard of Mr. Rocha.  However, in regards to the latter I will say this, for him to rag on Fr. Robert Barron, one of the most brilliant minds in Catholicism today....to be colloquial all I can say is: "Seriously?   Are you kidding me???" The arrogance...wow! 

 

I agree with most of this. What did Mr. Rocha mean when he called Fr. Barron “unobjectionable"? I didn't quite understand.

 

I want to add to my post above-- I've learned to watch EWTN without expecting too much. I just watch the important stuff and move on.

Edited July 17, 2013 by Seven77

[Basilisa Marie]

EWTN has been a "saving grace" for many when they could not find anything remotely resembling Catholicism in their local parishes.  I understand Ms. Fernandez and Mr. Rocha are rather young and perhaps they do not remember the 1980s when the Catholic Church in America (I can't speak for other parts of the world) was becoming increasingly so progressive that a local parish no longer even resembled (nor desired to) anything remotely Roman Catholic.  I am 45 years  of age.  I do remember.  And although this progressive deconstruction of the Catholic Church has become more of an anomaly these days,(Deo Gratias!)  it does still exist.  Therefore for those who still live in a wasteland, EWTN keeps them connected to the traditions and teachings of the Magisterium of the Church and keeps people from spinning off and joining schismatic groups, which unfortunately are plentiful these days.  If that is "boring" to Ms. Fernandez and Mr. Rocha I would suggest that they search their own hearts.  What is perhaps "boring" to them is perhaps a source of instruction and means of holiness for others.  Conversion is an ongoing process. 

 

It should go without saying that we are meant to be "in the world, not of it."  Therefore to suggest EWTN put on programs that resemble the "reality" of secular television seems rather ignorant to me but then again I have never been a big "fan" of "The Crescat" (I learned of her when I lived in North Carolina, which is where she is from, Charlotte, matter of fact) and I have only just heard of Mr. Rocha.  However, in regards to the latter I will say this, for him to rag on Fr. Robert Barron, one of the most brilliant minds in Catholicism today....to be colloquial all I can say is: "Seriously?   Are you kidding me???" The arrogance...wow! 

 

I don't think any of us would advocate getting rid of EWTN or making it more "progressive" - Of course there's a heck of a lot of good it's done, and continues to do!  But it can improve.  Including a bit of "inculturation" via some quality program that's entertaining would do even more to bring people to the Church.  We're not saying get rid of the rosary and daily mass.  We're saying chuck out the super boring stuff that isn't doing the job of instructing, encouraging, and positively entertaining its audience, and replace it with quality programming that isn't terrible.  Catholicism isn't like the Puritans or the Protestants who hated art and music and dancing and fun.  Our "art" (in this case, television media) should reflect the joy we have in our lives because of our faith.  We can be holy and orthodox without being strict and serious all the time.  :) 

 

Wouldn't it be cool if they showed some of those excellent old Catholic movies? 

[BG45]

I personally loved Truth in the Heart, We Are Catholic (a cartoon), and another cartoon I can't remember the name of.  But it had a baker and his family and fellow Christians in early Rome, being pursued by the Romans and telling Bible stories to the kids.  One episode in particular was great; the wife asked her husband to tell the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with the loaves and fishes.  It was pretty standard a setup for an episode until the end, when the baker goes, "and after witnessing our Lord's miracle with that little bit I handed over, I knew I wanted to become a baker."

[Basilisa Marie]

I agree with most of this. What did Mr. Rocha mean when he called Fr. Barron “unobjectionable"? I didn't quite understand.

 

I want to add to my post above-- I've learned to watch EWTN without expecting too much. I just watch the important stuff and move on.

 

I think he either means that there's nothing wrong with Fr. Barron, that there's an idea that no one is allowed to criticize Fr. Barron, or that Fr. Barron might use the word all the time.  That's my guess. 

 

I think what he's getting at is that there's this idea that a lot of people act like there's only one right way to be Catholic, and that's not true. He's talking about the concept of the "Catholic ghetto" that a lot of people seem to be advocating for.  The Catholic Ghetto, that is, referring to a group of people set apart from society in a little "cultural pocket" that doesn't really interact with the rest of society at all.  There's a heavy and particular kind of Catholic culture that goes with it, and it's not open to the many ways in which people can be holy Catholics...just one way.  So to get back to the Fr. Barron remark, I'd guess that he's part of the laundry list of things "good Catholics" are supposed to just completely adore and is immune from any criticism (because to criticize means you aren't a good Catholic!  Or Catholic enough!).  

[Seven77]

I don't think any of us would advocate getting rid of EWTN or making it more "progressive" - Of course there's a heck of a lot of good it's done, and continues to do!  But it can improve.  Including a bit of "inculturation" via some quality program that's entertaining would do even more to bring people to the Church.  We're not saying get rid of the rosary and daily mass.  We're saying chuck out the super boring stuff that isn't doing the job of instructing, encouraging, and positively entertaining its audience, and replace it with quality programming that isn't terrible.  Catholicism isn't like the Puritans or the Protestants who hated art and music and dancing and fun.  Our "art" (in this case, television media) should reflect the joy we have in our lives because of our faith.  We can be holy and orthodox without being strict and serious all the time.   :)

 

Wouldn't it be cool if they showed some of those excellent old Catholic movies? 

 

The funny thing is--- the author of that article is strict and serious about certain trivial things. ( Stop trippin' about them red shoes and get over yourself already!!) So I start to shut her off. But you seem different so I will listen to you. What are some of the shows, besides the youth and young adult programming, that should be chucked out, in your opinion? And why?

Edited July 17, 2013 by Seven77

[Seven77]

I think he either means that there's nothing wrong with Fr. Barron, that there's an idea that no one is allowed to criticize Fr. Barron, or that Fr. Barron might use the word all the time.  That's my guess. 

 

I think what he's getting at is that there's this idea that a lot of people act like there's only one right way to be Catholic, and that's not true. He's talking about the concept of the "Catholic ghetto" that a lot of people seem to be advocating for.  The Catholic Ghetto, that is, referring to a group of people set apart from society in a little "cultural pocket" that doesn't really interact with the rest of society at all.  There's a heavy and particular kind of Catholic culture that goes with it, and it's not open to the many ways in which people can be holy Catholics...just one way.  So to get back to the Fr. Barron remark, I'd guess that he's part of the laundry list of things "good Catholics" are supposed to just completely adore and is immune from any criticism (because to criticize means you aren't a good Catholic!  Or Catholic enough!).  

 

 All I know is that Fr. Barron certainly does not advocate a “Catholic ghetto mentality." And most of the people who listen to him, I would think, do not hold  that kind of mentality.