MovieChat Forums > Jerry Springer: The Opera (2005) Discussion > My views on this

My views on this

posted 19 years ago by Arctic_Wizard
14 replies | jump to latest

I am not a very religious person, but I was raised in a Protestant school, where Father Michael, the local priest would come every Thursday, he’d tell us a story about the bible. Because of this, and my mother coming from a Catholic family, I have been raised to believe in God, Jesus and Mary.

Alas, I haven’t seen Jerry Springer: The Opera on actual stage, by my parents have and told me how good it was. Naturally I was intrigued that one of America’s most infamous talk-shows was to be turned into a musical.
When I saw it advertised on BBC 2 on the 8th January, I jumped at the chance at watching it.

I enjoyed the first act – a man, Dwight, having to tell his attractive, middle-class fiancé, Peaches that he was cheating on her – not only with her best friend, Zandra, but a drag-queen named Tremont.
A man, Montel, confessing to his girlfriend, Andrea, that, not only did he want to be treated like a baby – in order to arouse his sexual nature, but he was also seeing a woman-wannabe-baby named Baby Jane.
And finally, a very slightly chubby, but cuddly-looking woman, Shawntel, who wants to be a pole-dancer, much to the dismay of her obnoxious boyfriend, Chucky, and her religious but foul-mouthed, mother, Irene.

Much to the dismay of the protestors, I also enjoyed the second half – in which Jerry, after being assassinated at the end of Act I, finds himself in Hell – reluctantly presenting a show by Satan’s orders. Assisted by Baby-Jane, who has now been murdered as well, he must try and seek an apology from Jesus, who bears an extreme likeness to Montel, for Satan. Amongst the other guests are Adam, Eve and The Virgin Mary, who have an unusual similarity to Shawntel, Chucky and Irene.

I’ll admit even I found some of the lyrics shocking and slightly offensive, E.g., when Mary first enters the chorus sing ‘Raped by an Angel, Raped by an Angel, Raped by God!’
It was very brave of the lyric writer to go ahead with writing some horrific lines and suggests he is not religious at all.

Despite by belief in God, Jesus, Mary, Adam, Eve and the rest of the religious celebrities, I thoroughly enjoyed this musical from beginning to end – as did my Mother.

To those viewers who found this extremely offensive, I would like to point out there were firm warning throughout the program, ‘In act II as Jerry Springer descends into Hell, some viewers may find aspects of the imagery and characterization of God, Jesus and Marry offensive. Very strong language continues throughout.

All you viewers, who are strong believers in the Church, were warned and knew the risks and warning throughout. When God gave us life, he wanted us to enjoy life – if I was God, I wouldn’t take 100% kindly to them accusing me of rape, which is why I cross my fingers whenever I watch the point of where Jesus, God, Mary ETC are on screen. I have also told God, by prayer, that I am not taking the micky out of him. I am quite simply enjoying my favorite musical.

Jerry Springer: The Opera well and truly pushed Chicago out of seat number 1 of my favorite musicals and now is cemented to seat number 1.
David Soul, Carrie Ellis, Alison Jiear and all the rest of the main cast have now joined my list of favorite actors/actresses and will stay there for a long time.

I now have JSTO on VHS which I watch regularly and thoroughly enjoy.
I hope God and all the Saints are willing to forgive me for watching this, and I have made sure in my prayers they know I am sorry for watching it but don’t intend to stop.

I don’t mean to sound mad, but this is my views.

Yours truly,
BH

'Come and Get It!' - Betty White

[–] TR_Wolf 19 years ago

I originally saw this in London, and prefer the original Jerry, but David Soul was good... however in this, David Bedella (Warm Up Man Jonathan Weiress and Satan), is the star to me, he's a fantastic actor and has a wonderful voice!

BTW... I'm a drag queen, Tremont isnt, she's a transvestite/transexual. Just thought I'd say ;)

But I'm glad you enjoyed it, I love the show too, excellent songs and characters etc.

Anyone who took it seriously obviously never watched it to see how ridiculous and obviously un-serious it is, and pure fun! They also obviously havent seen many other movies with their views on things being extreme, nor South Park! lol

But nice post! :)

[–] Arctic_Wizard 19 years ago

Thanx for agreeing with me. I was worried that people thought I was mad or something, but I wanted to be honest.

PS - Thanx for telling me, I did know that Tremont was a Transvestite I just wasn't sure how to spell it. Thanx anyway!

'Come and Get It!' - Betty White

[–] PhantomPhan222 19 years ago

I agree totally. I don't believe that there is anything serious enough in this life that cannot be joked about. Also JSTO completely changed my outlook on Opera's, I LOVE musicals, but I never thought I'd find an opera I'd like, JSTO proved me wrong!

In the words of Jerry Springer: "Until next time, take care of yourself, and each other."

[–] spyk_ 19 years ago

Yay! Finally a christain who LIKES the show!

Personally, i think it's stupid when the protestors complain about it. I mean, what's the point in complaining about everything that upsets you? If you don't like it, don't watch it. It's THAT simple.

He's doing Olaf impressions! Let's hit him with fruits and various meats.

[–] dan-babar 19 years ago

I don't so much mind the people who watch it then complain - its the people who don't watch it and assume they know what the show is about who tick me off. On the news once I remember seeing an old lady moaning that she had HEARD that it portrays Jesus as an overweight nappy wearing gay. Even Jesus would be rolling in his empty tomb.

[–] TR_Wolf 19 years ago

Ugh dont get me started on that. Bible bashers especially like to assume he's shown as gay, when he defends himself when he's accused of being gay initially, plus the nappy thing was annoying because the bashers would quote "It portrays Jesus in a nappy!" and it DOESNT, it shows Montel in Act One as an adult baby in a nappy, in Act Two the guy who plays Montel then plays Jesus, but not in a nappy, in traditional loin cloth robes, but do they watch it to find out for themselves? No, they judge (lest they be judged!)

[–] Danny_Elfmans_Biggest_Fan 19 years ago

Serveral things have annoyed me about the circus surronding this:

1. People complaining 'this isn't what I pay my TV liscence for'

We all pay TV liscences, I find Emmerdale offensive and in my opinion, is a waste of space, but I don't petition for it to be removed, nor do I scream and shout when sports are on, which I find terribly boring, I simply change the channel or go out, etc.

2. Its blasphemous

If people had watched it rather than jumping to conclusions, they would know that all the relious, 'blasphemous' imagery takes place after Springer has been shoot and inside his mind. They are not meant to portray actual religious icons, but are the warped nightmare of a man facing death. The characters dipict his guests.

3. It critisises Christianity

Well oh dear... I'm sure people who followed the Nazi Party didn't question their faith either and look what happened. I have full respect for any person who was offended by the show, or chose not to watch it, but don't tell me I cannot critise your religion. I'm a devot athiest with paganistic scruples and interests, some Christian beliefs are offensive to me, but I don't scream about Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Charmed. Is your faith really that weak? This is not a Christian world.

4. Its vile, profane and violent

Whatever you do, don't watch classical opera. You'll have a fit...

5. Its base and idiotic

I think you need some basic intelligence, religious education, a short term memory and sense of humour to understand the satire.

Don't get me wrong, these are just my veiws and there are plenty of respectful people out there who refuse to watch it as it does against their beliefs, but I take offense to people who tell me what I can and can't watch in my own house. I'm glad that the BBC showed this show, its a progress.

Oh, and well done to the first poster, you rock...

Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] TR_Wolf 19 years ago

Hey what about me? lol

But thanks so much for that post, you got it dead on.

[–] LilPrince 19 years ago

Well, I think it's pathetic that people where up in arms, it's just a show and not any reflection on real life, everyone is allowed an opinion, as the 'religious complainers' should understand.....If you think the language is to much, remember there only words. I never knew people where some weak that a show that isn't the normal happy-happy Song and dance lovy dovy normal stuff thats pumped into theatre's ( though i do like andrew llyod-webbers work :D ) we should enjoy the vary in the 'theatre-diet.' If you don't like it don't watch it. I don't like boring straigh plays, so i don't go see them , and you don't see me protesting out side my local theatre, you need to watch it with a natrual eye.
I'm no big fan of religion. I have alot of problems with the idea's behide 'god' and believe the scientific way of creation,i belie religon to be the most successful myth ever, myth for what? for death, so people ain't so scared.....but that's not the point, good musical/ opera

[–] Ex-Angel 18 years ago

I'd heard about this musical from a friend who went to see it live, and so when it came on TV, I made a point of watching it. And absolutely loved it! All the people who complained about it (before it aired) should remember that there is an off button to the tv!

There were also complaints about the dvd being sold, so lots of shops took them off the shelves! Again, the people who complained about that should realise...THEY DON'T HAVE TO BUY IT! It seems that people just want to have something to complain about. Thankfully, I managed to get the dvd, and so am very happy!

[–] Tanithpanic 17 years ago

It was filthy, it was disgusting, it was obscene... and I couldn't stop giggling from start to finish! Ex-Angel has summed it up nicely. Nobody needs to buy this, nobody needs to watch it. There are some pretty vicious incidents in the Bible, but can you imagine the outrage if anyone wanted that banned?

Oh... there was one line I do feel I have to "complain" about: "Dip me in chocolate and throw me to the Lesbians." Can I just say that all lesbians are not chocolate-gobbling hogs. Some lesbians I know are even on the Atkins diet!
But back to the musical. I did stop giggling for about two minutes when Baby Jane's ultimate fate was revealed, that was genuinely scary. But it proves the show isn't just filthy fluff, it makes some strong points.

"So dip me in cottage cheese and throw me to the....", no, it just doesn't have the same ring, does it? Pity!

Let's hear it for freedom of expression!

[–] TR_Wolf 17 years ago

The "dip me in chocolate" line is an old saying, not sure where its from, it was on T-Shirts and stuff before JSTO came out.

[–] FraisePomme 17 years ago

What annoyed me was the majority of the protestors had not actually seen it! They were simply working from a bunch of carefully selected, out of context quotations, such as 'All women are whores/whores or sluts or prostitutes.', in an attempt to turn public opinion against it.

The fact is, if you look at it, Jerry Springer - The Opera has a lot of moral messages in it. For me, I think the most important one is that the people we laugh at on Trash TV are actually people, with real lives they have to keep on leading after the cameras are switched off. Take Tremont, for example. He is really in love with Dwight, but after he's rejected so publicly, he's driven to suicide. And when Andrea finds out what Montel is really like, she's so angry with Baby Jane, she kills her with a monkey wrench. That sticks out way more than any of the religious imagiary for me.