Hello. I am heather.
i am a wife, mother, writer and web designer. balance is the challenge
i rise to everyday.
Brain Bits
My mother-in-law sent this to Jeff and Kenny, but I've already played it 3 times with a high sherry count and I can't stop laughing. Oh my, people...don't drink and hunt; that's all I gotta say.
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Weeds - Invading well tended home gardens everywhere.
09-24-2008 · 87 Comments
Two days ago I received my coveted Netflix DVD in the mail and was excited to see the First Season of Weeds had arrived. I have received a few reviews on it - some said it was definitely ‘adult’, but hysterical and I’d love it. Others said it was their favorite show of all time. Still others said it was definitely in their Top Five.
Having pretty much missed nearly every sitcom rage since the first American Idol (when we finally ditched our cable and settled for grey fuzz or rented movies), I saw it available at Netflix and decided to check it out. I will admit RIGHT NOW to being naive about what kind of ‘weeds’ they were talking about. Der, check out the image of the cover next time Heather.
OH.MY.STINKIN.HECK.
If that show is in any way indicative of what I’m missing with cable, I am blessed indeed. Is this kind of programming the norm now? Truly? This is normal? Have you seen it? Do you like it? Can you admit if you do? What is it that attracts you? I recognize there are many popular actors/actresses involved with this sitcom, and it probably does a great job of weaving a story line that keeps the audience coming back for more, but more of WHAT?
More…
- …of a mom selling/dealing drugs to maintain her current level of living in a back-biting community?
- …scenes of teenagers meeting at an abandoned house to drink, smoke pot, and have sex?
- … angry & disrespectful children - flipping off parents and talking to them as if they were less than peers, without any idea the muffins on the counter are laced with weed?
- …of an uncle Instant Messaging his nephew’s deaf girlfriend asking her to disrobe and describe her body while he masturbates?
- …diminutive attitudes about the effects of drugs in general - because, y’know, weed is medicinal, not that bad - a lightweight drug, right?
- …scenes where homosexual teenage boys have ‘relations’ with significantly older, rich, adult men? Was he prostituting himself? I don’t even know.
- …adultery - now with tennis rackets up the butt!
- …poking fun at Christians (”Chris died for our sins.” t-shirts being a side theme of one show.) - of course that is so intolerant of me to point out.
Look around. Younger and younger kids are making poorer and poorer decisions. CAN WE BLAME THEM? What are we feeding them as entertainment? We welcome, embrace, even program things into our homes through our televisions and call it entertainment, but that same ‘entertainment’ IS destroying the family life. We swing wide the door and invite in our biggest fears as comedy.
The more ‘normal’ this becomes - the more we embrace a lifestyle of ‘do what feels right’ and ‘don’t judge me for my decisions’, the more downhill we can expect things to go.
- Teens having sex in abandoned homes can become teenage pregnancy, increased abortion, fatherless children, jealous rages, insecurity, STDs.
- Teens taking drugs and drinking can become more poor decisions, DUIs, car wrecks, deaths, pregnancies, abortions, or increased need for welfare from a state sinking in debt.
- Teens telling their parents to F*ck Off! leads to a disrespect for authority, head on collisions with teachers, bosses, caregivers, and the law; possible time in juvenile detention facilities, prison, or at the minimum, a life lived for ’self’ - egotism (the greatest robber of all).
- Teens watching their parents infidelity can breed a lack of trust of the opposite sex, boys that are ‘players’, girls that ‘use’ guys, a lack of respect for the act of sex in general, insecurity, anger, confusion, an incomplete understanding of commitment and what it takes to grow in a marriage.
- Parental adultery can lead to emotional hardship, STDs, torn families, divorce, secrets, insecurity, jealousy, violence, anger, frustration, child abandonment, BROKEN LIVES
I know there are so many things missing on this list, but I’m sure I’ve scraped the top.
The old adage, “Trash in - Trash out” is probably the best short descriptive of who we are and where we’ve come. What our parents tolerated, we now embrace. What we tolerate, our children will embrace. It is a downhill slide.
On top of our television there is a card that says, “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes… Psalm 101:3″. On the back of it there is the verse Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”
The American Heritage Dictionary defines a weed:
“A plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, especially one growing where it is not wanted, as in a garden.”
And that is exactly what this sitcom is to me - undesirable, unattractive, and very, very troublesome.
I know many won’t agree. I know many will find me intolerant, ill-humored, blowing things out of proportion, looking for strokes, or whatever. Let me make clear I AM intolerant of this kind of entertainment. I do NOT find it humorous. I’m not looking for anyone to agree, but I do hope to make people think…I know I am.
THANK YOU. I didn’t think it was me just getting older and more prudish. TV really has gotten coarser and more lurid over the years, with such shows being aimed and younger and younger viewers all the time. It’s sad and sick. Thanks for taking a stand. I’ll stand with you!
WOW! I have directv but have never heard of the show - what a blessing. I get the cable so my kids can watch Animal Planet, and hopefully educational things that we would not get otherwise. I have not watched sitcoms in a while. I guess I remember things like “The Walton’s,” “Seventh Heaven,” “Little House” etc My oh my, television has changed. I love the scriptures you have posted on or near your television. I think I will do the same so that I put a bit of conviction in my family to make sure that we all make good choices.
I like what I’ve seen of Weeds (which is most of the first season). I don’t think kids are watching it and modeling their behavior on it - I think art imitates life, not the other way around. That said, I definitely do not think it is a wide-appeal show, and I am honestly shocked that you’re the first person I’ve heard object to it.
I haven’t seen it and have no plans to. We have TV in our house but limit our programming to a few select shows.
I loved this Heather, and think you are right on track.
You know, I tried that show too. For about five minutes. I didn’t get it. And I’m pretty open-minded (and a Christian too) so you’re not alone in thinking that it’s off-base. http://www.fromsingletomarried.com
My children are older and to say the least they both have been down long rocky roads which they chose to travel but one thing I can say for them, the first time they tuned in to watch this booming new sitcom called ‘Weeds’ they both opted to turn off their TV’s. We’ve kinda gotten to the point where our favorite TV shows are Mickey Mouse Club and Handy Manny.
It is refreshing to see someone standing up for what they believe in and not worrying what others will think. This show sounds horrible and it does seem to becoming the norm. Sickening. I love the idea of the verses on the tv. It is a good reminder and I am going to do that in our house. Thanks for your post and your boldness. We need more of it today!
I don’t have TV - by choice…for nearly 4 years I think. I have a motorhome and RVr friends so sometimes have access to cable or SatTV - hundreds of channels and often find nothing of interest.
I don’t know if it is because I’ve been away from it for so long or ??? And I confess to not understanding the “reality show” craze nor many of the current shows. I sometimes wonder if others just “go with the flow”?
I do prefer “stories” of simple living but hardly consider myself prudish…
I subscribe to Netflix and enjoy some movies, a lot of BBC shows, a few older US Network shows, and otherwise I am occupied in the yard, garden, house or reading.
Hard to fathom - especially considering the money that goes into this stuff.
I think WEEDS is depressing, not funny. I am always surprised that so many people like it.
So with you on this … I really tried to like this show but just couldn’t stomach it.
Amen!! I agree with you 100%. I’ve never even heard of Weeds, and now I know I don’t need to watch it.
I’m shocked by Annika’s comment. I watch it, think it is funny but completely recognize it is not a good show (obviously I need to change my ways). It DOES teach kids aweful things. But to say you’re the first person she’s heard object to it says something. Even if we just mention the sex scenes that show “things” and the CONSTANT use of the f word and the common discussion and action of masterbation the show is obviously very adult. I’m wondering who she’s talking about it to. Kids may not go out and do exactly what they’ve seen but it dulls the senses. It jades people. It is def. not an appropriate show. Ok, somehow I just explained to myself why I am not watching it anymore. Thanks omsh.
Thank you for sharing this and making me not feel so alone. People think I’m some kind of fanatic or weirdo for not consuming the garbage that’s on TV these days. Or they think I’m “out of touch” since I’m in Marketing. It’s nice to see I’m in great company as I eschew the worldly noise.
I haven’t watched it but will admit to watching other shows that fwature things you mentioned (like The Sopranos). That being said- I am choosing as an adult to watch those shows. I will not let my children watch them. If my daughter who is 13 wants to watch something I deem questionable- we watch it together.
Sad thing is- there are too many kids out there with no guidance. I am fortunate that I know the girls my daughter is friends with. I know them and their families and we seek out others with the same family values.
Unless you are homeschooling (Heather!) you cannot avoid your older children hearing about the things other kids are doing. All you can do is pray you have raised yours right.
I have never heard of it actually.
We just got DishNetwork…the cheapest package is $19…for 40 channels, after 3 years of having TV. I only got it for the FoodNetwork and Fox News.
Anyway, I was shocked at the commercials.
Shocked.
As my Granny would say “Thats just filth!”
Thanks for taking the time to write this. It makes me think of the scripture, “wickedness never was happiness…” This world is getting tougher. Many programs are so insidious in the way they attempt to make wickedness seem reasonable. It desensitizes us all when we see someone acting immoral and seeming happy about it.
[...] I Wish I Had Written This September 24, 2008 Filed under: Uncategorized — lusciouschaos @ 4:36 pm http://www.ohmystinkinheck.com/weeds-invading-well-tended-home-gardens-everywhere/ [...]
It’s your choice as an adult to not watch the show, and certainly your right as a parent to keep it from your children.
I haven’t seen this show, but I feel like it’s geared toward adults - as are many other shows on television. It is up to adults to keep their children’s eyes from it. Otherwise, I see no problem with them.
I think what you should worry about is that Gossip Girl show - it’s about sex and drinking amongst teenagers, and it’s aimed at children in middle and high school. THAT’S disturbing.
Until a couple weeks ago, I had only heard of the show. Then my 18 year old younger sister was streaming some of the episodes on line, and invited me to watch with her. I only lasted a few minutes too, and I think you said everything that was going through my head, just more articulately. To be promoting drug culture like that is horrific - the episode I saw bits of was humourizing, if not glorifying, drive-by shootings. Sorry, guys, but some stuff JUST ISN’T FUNNY.
I’ve never seen the show. I might have seen a commercial, but I tend to change the channel on commercials or just zone out and back to my fav blogs (THIS ONE)or my christian chat rooms.
But come on…we don’t have AIDS and other STD’s from watching TV. We don’t commit adultry or have abortions because they do it on tv. Kids should be allowed to yell at those in authority because they have “free speech”, people drink and drive because because their mom and gma drank and it’s genetic! And someone else needs to support me when I don’t feel like working because “THEY OWE ME!”
WOW…totally tongue in cheek there! At least from my view point, too bad it’s not from everyone’s. The people that are watching this trash are the same one’s that don’t believe America was founded on Christian principles…how did we get so far off course? Is it the TV shows?!?!
I have never heard of it and will never watch it thanks to your review! Yipes, who thought you would love it? At our house it’s mostly Animal Planet, History Channel, Discovery Channel, but usually no TV at all. Thank goodness.
I just want to clarify, in response to Angela’s comment, that the people I’ve discussed the show with are other adults. I don’t know anyone with kids who’d be interested in the show, so it’s not on my radar as far as (in)appropriate shows for young people.
But I also want to point out that it’s on Showtime - not a channel aimed at children. Parents who subscribe to Showtime have to expect non-family friendly programming. They’re kind of known for it.
Most television makes me sick!
I couldn’t believe it when I heard this show was even going to be on. I have adamantly refused to watch even one minute of it. I don’t understand the trend among tv people these days who think this crap is a good idea.
I hear you sista! We long ago gave up the HBO and Showtime type channels, as I had no desire for my kids or their friends to be exposed to the junk programming regularly contained in those lineups. Stand strong!
I have never seen this show, and can honestly say that about a large number of the shows on tv. We tend to stay in the group of TLC, Discovery, Food network, etc.
Had to delurk and comment on this one :) Obviously in the minority, I agree with Michelle and Annika.
I’m far more concerned about the things being marketed *to my son*, than what is clearly not. Weeds is an adult show aired on a cable channel — he probably doesn’t even know it exists.
However, like Michelle said, there are tons of shows, commercials, songs, products, and the like currently being sold to children that make me anywhere from crazed (junk food) to feeling VERY old and even embarrassed (have you heard the “I Kissed a Girl” song?!).
Do you feel just as strongly about all the other HBO and Showtime shows (Sopranos, Oz, Queer as Folk, etc.)? What about R-rated movies? Just wondering if Weeds in particular is your source of frustration, or just the proverbial straw :)
Interesting post, Heather!
PS: For survey’s sake, we haven’t had tv/cable for over a decade, but I have rented Weeds and enjoyed it. I found it comedic, clever, well shot and acted and, most importantly, deliberately over the top. Please don’t yell at me ;)
Just wanted to pop in with a few responses.
Michelle - I am thankful to not have to be worried about the new shows because we don’t have cable and/or receive any stations at all.
But IF I did…I would certainly be attentive to what shows were targeting my children. Definitely.
——-
Mikaela - I have not heard the song “I Kissed a Girl”, but I’m guessin’ I don’t wanna, eh? heh heh
And I am not exposed to the other shows. We stopped bringing it all into our home because we didn’t WANT to be exposed, but on occasion when a good sitcom is recommended, we’ll check it out. This one just blew me away.
We do watch Rated R movies, but not much anymore. When we do, we typically read about them before watching. I use http://www.pluggedinonline.com for movie reviews, etc…and it gives me an idea what to expect/avoid.
——-
One of my friends’ sons surprised her one day when he said he couldn’t wait to grow up so he could watch the bad movies like her and his daddy.
Wow.
That put it into perspective for me. I understand adult concepts - I do, but some things are just wrong and for the most part, I think the barometer of acceptable is seriously thwarted.
hm, my comment disappeared … or I forgot to post it … but I was going to say AMEN TO THAT! You definitely made me think. We watch VERY closely to what our children watch (with Liliana it’s easy - it’s just Baby Einstein!) because there is SO MUCH TRASH out there. Bratz? COMPLETE TRASH.
Thank you for writing this. It made me think about what I watch. I screen what my children watch, but I watch too much trash - nothing like the Weeds show, I’ve never heard of it - but the stuff I choose to watch is definitely not stuff that glorifies God - and if it doesn’t do that, then is it really worth it?
Thank you for making me think. I SO appreciate that about you!
I often wonder why our society pretends there is this imaginary line of maturity, where one human (a child/teen) “cannot” handle the content/issues that another human (adult) can. I believe the primary difference between children and adults is a matter of degree, not a difference in type. This would imply that whatever is truly harmful or destructive for one, would be destructive for the other.
Forms of entertainment are no different. Try this experiment: go without exposure to television for 3-5 years; then buy tickets to the Veggie Tales Christmas roadshow; see if you laugh and enjoy yourself. $100 says you will…wanna bet?
AMEN!!!
I am so sick of people saying “Lighten up, it’s just a tv show/movie/song/whatever.” I wonder if, on judgement day, they plan on telling God to “lighten up”…
We don’t even watch the news; the world is so filled with evil and atrocities, and I don’t want to be bombarded with it.
[...] come to admire and respect some of the women I’ve met through the blogosphere. I read this post written by Heather at Oh My Stinkin’ Heck! today. She is definitely one of my favorite people I’ve never met. She says things that [...]
I didn’t grow up with TV (it’s a long, odd story), never owned a set as an adult until I married DH. We cancelled TV while gestating our Eldest, 12 years ago. All the good stuff is available on-line or on DVD, so we don’t miss the worthwhile, and I certainly don’t miss the not-so-worthwhile.
When I’m traveling to teach, I do like to relax to Food Network and DIY and HGTV… but I know my kids get very annoyed if friends want to watch TV instead of visit or play, and they get very frustrated having their concentration interrupted by a commercial (if we’re watching a televised show in a hotel).
Yeah, there’s a LOT of dreck on TV these days. Can’t see the point of it, other than to numb the soul. Once you’re numb, all manner of stuff seems reasonable.
(Go with the Watch Instantly option for Netflix, and see Elizabeth Gaskell’s *North & South*. MUCH more worthwhile.)
Annika, I think Heather’s point is that, whether adults are mature enough to handle the content of shows/movies like “Weeds,” they shouldn’t necessarily be watching it when they could be focusing on things that are so much better.
Jeff, I agree with you in wondering where the imaginary line of maturity is. Excellent point.
I agree! Amen Sistah! I have never watched this show, but I have watched plenty of others that offer the same stuff. Scott and I have different views on what to allow in the home. He is a bit more lax than I, but we still try and be careful. We don’t watch rated “R” movies, EVER! Sometimes we will see the commercial for an “R” movie, and it might look tempting to go. I’m glad we have little eyes that watch, and I’m grateful to be an example. I don’t think I would be able to convince my husband to turn it off for good. We have LOTS of conversations about choices, free agency, and accountability. A lot of people talk to their children about choices, but leave out the part of accountability.
Make no mistake, I LOVE to laugh and I am fun to be around (at least I think I am?), and I can easily find humor in the little day to day things. I have such a hard time finding humor in “light-mindedness” though, especially things that should be so sacred and private. Thank you for taking a stand!
And to bethany actually: we have a saying that I tell my kids “all the time” according to them -”just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”
I will admit to being a Tivo junkie. That being said, the things I record are almost always PG material. I’ve never understood why hollywood insist on messing up a good story with profanity and promiscuity.
I think it’s about pushing the limits, and getting away with just a little more each time. And each time it gets a little worse. Over the years, we’ve slid down the slippery slope, and sadly, there really is no way to go back. Just imagine if this kind of program was produced back in an era like the 50’s; they would burn the building down! To me, it doesn’t matter if it is on cable, or on pay per view, garbage is garbage.
I have never seen Weeds but I would expect what you described from a Showtime or HBO series as they tend to be more shocking. As a parent, I have locked out those channels and anything rated teen or higher so my kids could not accidently watch.
i’ve never seen weeds, l-word, sex in the city, or many of the other shows that pass for entertainment on television of late. i much prefer shows about reality (crime 360, detectives, investigators, investigative reports, cold case files, first 48, various biographies on the biography channel, nature documentaries and my favourite, “the dog whisperer”)
Okay, am I the only one naive enough to think you were *actually* talking about weeds until the last paragraph???
Obviously I haven’t watched the show, and we don’t have cable or access to any shows other than broadcast TV. I have no children at home - they are all grown and on their own. (Well, for the most part but that’s another story!)
I do agree that as we push the line back to what is ‘acceptable’…on TV, or in the movies, what we read…our boundaries between acceptable and not acceptable behavior tend to blur.
We live in a world where there are no absolutes. Social behavior has become relative. What’s not okay for one person is okay for someone else. And that makes the world a very scary place to be when you’ve got young minds and souls to think about.
Amen to you for this post. I’d just like to caution all those naive enough to believe that their children are not clued in to what’s out there on TV for adults. There are far too many adults who don’t supervise their kids’ viewing and those kids are happy to let the other kids in on what they are missing. what is forbidden becomes most attractive. I only wish I were a strong enough force in my household to ditch the TVs completely for even ONE year. My biggest opponent - my husband!!
Heather this post is so right on and what a world this would be if we all saw things this way. I have never seen weeds either, but cable is becoming such a scary thing. We recently got ours hooked back up (it was free - and legal, long story) and I only have it hooked up to the TV in the family room. It is so scary how you cannot allow your children to watch TV nowadays when you are not around. It is to the point now where I turn on the channel my kids want during their 30 minutes of TV before bed, and then I sit with them or take the remote with me. At this point, they are allowed to watch the Disney Channel or the Discovery Channel (depending on what is on) and much to my delight, they have discovered the Style channel. Their new favorite pre-bedtime show is Clean House! Lol!
Whoa, really? I’m so glad that you told me. I’ve been thinking about ordering up my little red envelope of weeds. Now I”m so glad that I didn’t bother with that.
I know it’s “adult” but still… are we saying that it doesn’t matter what adults put in their minds either? I’m thinking we could find lots better uses for our time.
I’m so glad that I don’t have cable or DirectTV. I have just the basic TV stations here and that’s more than enough sometimes and most of the time I just stick to the local PBS station.
It’s nice to see someone who is honest about her opinons.
Wow…I had no idea. We don’t have cable, and I’ve never been so glad as after reading this.
Thanks, Heather, for giving an honest, faith-centered view.
This was very good. I agree with your comments about the filth on TV. There was a really really good PBS documentary “Merchants of Cool” (Frontline) several years ago; I think it is one of the best programs a parent can watch. It really opens your eyes as to what our kids are facing in the world of marketing today and I highly recommend it. Thanks for standing up for what is right! (We don’t get cable or watch much TV at our house, so I had never heard of “Weeds”.)
I love this show, and it’s nothing like my totally low key and upstanding life. The reason I don’t have a problem with the subject matter in the show is that it’s fiction. The situations in the show are things I would never want to deal with in real life, but seeing them dramatized allows me to safely explore ideas and feelings I wouldn’t normally confront. I like for my brain to be challenged that way, and I don’t feel threatened by it at all. I also think the writing, direction, and acting in the show are excellent, and I enjoy analyzing it from an aesthetic perspective.
First - I am a Christian. Second - I do not have children.
I watched the DVD of the first Season of Weeds because it sounded ‘interesting’ and I wanted to judge for myself. Because of the not-having-children-thing, I laughed and got the Second Season of Weeds on DVD.
OHSH!It is so much more coarse - full frontal etc etc!
It amazes me what is even on “cable” these days. And what is considered entertainment. I think moneymaking is the main criteria for the entertainment”industry”.(”the first season was questionable so let’s the second season even moreso and make more money”)
I imagine, to some I am old-fashioned - so be it!
~Mad(elyn) in Alabama
Precisely why I refuse to pay for movie channels. The concept of the show for me is disturbing. And I think you encompassed everything horrible about it well in your post! Of course, I won’t hesitate to turn a movie off if I can’t stomach it within the first 10 minutes. (oh another reason I love netflix)
S E X……sells. It is no wonder that shows nowadays-cable or otherwise-are really just soft porn with a plot. Truly stomach-wrenching what the media expects us to consume (enjoy!) and even more heart-breaking….the majority of us do.
I didn’t read all 51 comments before mine, but I’ll say this: Before we ditched watching tv at all, we were watching “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “Boston Legal,” religiously. Those two shows alone convinced me that it was time to say good-bye to network tv forever. And we don’t regret it one bit. We now watch movies via Netflix, and our home is much more peaceful. I like the idea of putting those verses on your tv.
exactly why my child is covered in mosquito bites, chiggars and a sun tan. She has mastered a cart wheel, riding a two wheel bike and learning to bake..well everything.
This post yet again has me begging the question. Betcha wish you had a flush button on your brain! I know there are times I do!!
Shows like ‘Weeds’ are exactly why we only let the kids watch PBS. Thanks for writing this!
I linked to this post, thanks to my sister, Stacey Tate.
I may be the only guy to leave a comment. I hope I am not the only guy to read your well thought out, post.
I may be backwards from everyone else, but I keep my dish so I don’t feel the need to watch trash.It is not often, that you will find my TV on one of the major four stations (with the exception of my wife watching dancing with the stars.I seem to disappear at that time).
One of the comments, that I read, is “sex sells”, which is not true.The greatest story ever told is the true story, of how Christ took away our sins, by sacrificing himself.Every other great story ever written, or performed, will have an element of that same self sacrifice.
Thank you for your post, and thank you raising what I am betting are some great kids. Boyd
My husband put this on our “queue” because “people said it was good” and “critics say it’s good”. It was barely tolerable for me to watch the first episode! It was so boring to me that I didn’t even get to see all the rest of the questionable material you listed, but I’m glad I didn’t stick around to see it.
You are certainly right: watching things like this can lead to a general disrespect for everything.
I know people that love this show and I’m sorry to say, they have those certain kinds of “attitudes” and questionable morals of people that WOULD like this show.
Hi Heather,
I have debated commenting, I both agree AND disagree with you and some of the comments. I think the comments by a select few bother me most of all.
I have never seen Weeds but have seen commercials for it and am aware what it is about. I think it is on when I am watching something else.
I am quite surprised you ordered it without knowing what the premise was. It is NOT a sitcom per say. It IS on Showtime and it clearly states that the show is for adults only, contains profanity and nudity etc. I could understand your feelings if this show was readily available to Children. It is not. I would like to think that the majority of Parents would not allow their child to view Showtime let alone Weeds. I am a little surprised anyone would recommend this show to you. That no-one told you what it was “about”. I have read your blog long enough to know that you would not enjoy it.
There will come a time when your children will be old enough to make their own decisions and so long as we raise them knowing right from wrong by the time they come into contact with a show such as Weeds or any show like it they will know that it is for entertainment purposes only and not real life. You and some others make it sound like if you watch the show you then you must condone such behavior and may even think about emmualating it. IT IS A TV SHOW. Viewer beware. No-body is making anyone watch it.
There are things in the world we cannot protect our children from forever, we can try and I can understand Parents that want to keep their children sheltered as long as possible but eventually they are going to learn about the real world. Sadly.
I was actually offended by a comment made my Bethany Actually. She stated that as adults we should not be watching such shows as Weeds and we should be doing better things with our time.
I am sorry but last time I checked it is a free world and what some people deem as entertainment and good use of their time I do not and vice versa.
No-body is forcing the show WEEDS on anyone and a quick goodle tells you all you need to know about the show and then you can make your own choice. The key word is CHOICE. You made a choice to order it and then you found out that it was not for you. It is a cable show that you do need to pay for and as I already said it is not a “situational comedy” per say.
I am all for freeedom of choice and if some folk enjoy the show for entertainemnt purposes then so what?
Who am I to judge them?
Personally I enjoy a few television shows for entertaiment purposes. I enoyed Melrose Place and I enjoyed Sex and the City and I also enjoy the crime shows such as Cold Case, Without a Trace, Law and Order and 48 hours to name a few. I have been raised well enough to know that a lot of the shows depict things that are just wrong. I am old enough to know that some of the things depicted on the show are not things I need to go out and do just because I saw it on televison. That is why a show like WEEDS is adults only. It is over the top and extreme, not for everyone.
I did read that is was one of the highest watched shows in the history of Showtime. Television is for entertainment and if people enjoy that show then who are we or anyone to judge?
A word of caution…do not watch Californication :)
I also enjoy cable for sports. My Husband enjoys the History Channel but he also enjoyed the Soprano’s.
At the end of the day I do not see anything wrong with adults sitting down and watching some television. Different strokes for different folks. My point is that WEEDS is not for kids and most kids should be in bed when it is on. I don’t judge anyone that enjoys the show or do I feel it right to tell them as Bethany Actaully did that they need to find a better use of their time.
I read a lot of blogs and yours would be in my top 5. I personally do not have time for a blog. A lot of them that I do read have a common theme…..they do not have time for daily chores. You are NOT one of these bloggers. I read these other blogs and they are spending huge amounts of time blogging and using IM all day and all night long. I don’t have time for that and personally think there are better things to do with one’s time than hours and hours on the internet with twitter and IM and so forth. But that is their choice just as it is for an adult to watch a show such as WEEDS.
As a parent I would be more concerned with shows such as Gossip Girl and The Hills and other such shows geared toward teenagers.
We can shelter our children for only so long.
I’ve a friend who sheltered her girls for a long time, I was so impressed on how they carried themsleves through HS and figured it was the Parenting and how they had been taught right from wrong and had little exposure to the perils that face teenagers. Then the oldest left home for College. Now on her own the daughter is seeing the real world and in that real world are drugs, alcohol and sex. She was ill prepared and a straight A student went down some really bad paths. One thing that we CANNOT fully prepare them for is peer pressure. This young lady was ill prepared for what faced her in College and in the real world.
There is a fine line on what we expose them to and what we do not.
Sorry for the ramble.
Let us not judge people for owning a televison and enjoying some shows that are not for everyone. I know you are not judging but some of the commentors are.
I’d like to talk to a few of them when their kids are off to College or teenagers. You do your best and hope for the best. Trust me when I say that there are going to be so many challenges when your kids are teenagers. It is the hardest thing. It’s so easy to say what you will and will not allow/do when your children are teenagers. But in reality….it is so hard. I would like to think that if my teenagers were to ever see a show such a WEEDS they would not for one minute think that they need to go out and do what is depicted on that show. What entertains one adult does not another and vice versa. Evidently you had a lot of people tell you the show was good. I am still stunned they thought you would enjoy it :)
Thank you for posting that…I have felt that as the world goes on things are getting worse and it is scary what they can get away with on cable!!
I can’t agree with you more! We got rid of our TV because of just this kind of thing. (We have since gotten one and hooked up a VCR that the hubby and I enjoy occasionally.) The fact that shows like this and much more are on TV just tells you how our society accepts it. Our family is taking a stand - we do not, and will not support this kind of garbage. Period.
KC: I’m with you on this one. You put it a bit more eloquently and “gently” then I would have.
I don’t believe in censorship in general. I do believe in choice. If something is offensive I don’t watch it. I can’t judge what other people consider entertainment.
When my adult daughter was young I prevented her from exposure to lots of things I deemed inappropriate.
But had she not had some exposure to the outside world she would have indeed been ill-prepared for her adult life. “Be in the world, but not OF the world,” is probably a good way to look at it.
I’ve learned that getting on one’s soapbox can often open one to close scrutiny that can result in making one appear hypocritical. You never know what other people find offensive (drinking, smoking, tatooing, reading material, movies, whatever…).
Good thing we don’t have those pricey movie channels, yeah, that show would probably make me a bit squeamish if that’s all in a single episode.
Hey, for a change of pace - Looney Tunes is out on DVD - the honest to goodness ones you may have watched back in the day. I cringe every time I see an anvil, but it’s got to be better than Weeds.
Thanks Julie.
I cannot believe the judgement being put forth, not on the the show WEEDS so much anymore on anyone that may watch it? Someone called them immoral? Oh for goodness sake. I guess those folk that enjoy WEEDS or showtime or even heaven forbid TELEVISION…well they are going to hell in a billy wagon.
I REALLY enjoyed Sex and the City and saw the movie and recently bought it. It’s NOT real life. It’s entertainment. I am not immoral. Who are we to judge what others watch or enjoy or do?
You can keep your kids sheltered and unaware of what the real world is like for so long. I am not saying let them all watch WEEDS, not at all. It’s for adults. How and when you expose your kids is your choice.
I just cannot get over the judgement here over anyone that might enjoy WEEDS.
Ellen is on now and she is a Lesbian as we all are aware. There are some folk that will not watch her because of that.
For what it is worth I am a Republican. I mention that as for a Republican I am very tolerant.
Folks need to lighen up and tend to their own and let the rest of us tend to ours.
You are so right on the drinking/smoking etc. What one does with their time/life/body is their business and as far as I know there is no one person that is PERFECT. Some folk need to “check themselves”
Holy conversation starter, Batman! Looks like the nerves have been touched, and I must say, it’s refreshing to have a load of comments completely unrelated to a) the economy or b) the election. Good work!
I am reading all comments and am thankful for ALL the contributions. I do want to say that I would like to hear what everyone thinks - which is why I asked the question, of course.
This may end up rolling into another post because I feel there are a few things touched on in comments I’d like to discuss further.
KC - I received your email on my phone while at the soccer field. I giggled as I scrolled on and on and on - you think it looks like a novella HERE … try viewing it through my phone!
Julie - You said “I’ve learned that getting on one’s soapbox can often open one to close scrutiny that can result in making one appear hypocritical. You never know what other people find offensive (drinking, smoking, tatooing, reading material, movies, whatever…).”
I want you to know I recognize how this opens me up. I see my faults and how far I can wander from the fray of the basis of my own belief system. I am a walking hypocrite, and not because I want to be or mean to be, but because hard as I try (read my about page), I screw up daily.
But I am trying.
Thanks again everyone.
I don’t have kids but if I did, I wouldn’t let them watch it. But that goes for most anything these days. have you seen that Charlie Sheen show on regular tv? Kinda racy.
I went to be last night thinking about this and what a few posters have mentioned about being judgemental.
I am a high school teacher. I see what kids and families accept as okay on a daily basis. I really think that one way to influence society is through the family. If families (their influence is the strongest on children) choose not to accept what is being shown on tv, what is being sold in stores, and portrayed in the media, it will stop. It all comes down to the almighty dollar.
We choose to use our buying power to influence retailers. We don’t watch TV and we don’t buy toys that sexualize children (seen a Bratz’ doll lately?) As a parent and teacher I see myself as an advocate for children. I write to companies who pander to children. Who allow sexual and foul content on television during “family” hours(NBC, CBS, ABC and local stations) and let them know exactly how I feel.
And, maybe my emails go right to the trash bin. And maybe not. But freedom is just that, being allowed to choose what you will and will not be exposed to.
Thanks Heather!!
KC and Julie - I really do think it is good that you expressed your feelings here (and in length) and didn’t just go with the crowd, so to speak, but I think we must remember….this is Heather’s PERSONAL blog and she is simply stating her feelings on what she chooses to have in her home. And I could not agree with her more. I am a single mom with three girls and the crap kids are exposed to these days is astounding! Do I think watching Weeds makes you a bad parent? No. Do I think not watching it makes me a better parent? No. But I must say, “hoping for the best” wouldn’t be my preferred method of parenting. True we can only shelter them for so long, but cable is completely ridiculous these days! We have 54 channels and literally 4 or 5 show things appropriate for children. And what happens when my kids are old enough to stay home alone until I get off work? I just pray I raise them well enough to recognize what is inappropriate for them and turn the channel. Someone mentioned the song “I kissed a girl” (sung by a girl). Do I think it is a person’s right to make their own choice in their sexuality, yes? Do I secretly burst with pride when my 8 yo old screams “Ahhh mama this is “I kissed a girl” turn it!!” Oh yes, I definitely do!!!
I am not a Christian, but an Agnostic, BUT, the show did not appeal to me only because, um, it simply bored me. Did the smoking pot thing in the 70’s and it was boring… raised my daughter so no young eyes in the house to hide any TV show content from. I swear and say ‘bad words’ every day so no need to watch TV to get my fill of that. Have a husband so watching others have sex is pointless….. I am surprised that you did not ask us first before ordering the DVD, Heather…. Would have saved you the money and the disappointment too. That’s what we are here for!!! Sheesh Girl.
Huh. I think I saw this in the video store last week. I thought it was a movie. There was no cover picture or info though. I’m kinda a weed fanatic. I mow around wildflowers and unidentified weeds that could become wildflowers. My farming/ranching neighbors probably think I’m nuts. Anyway, I held up the case for dh to see. He just looked at me with raised eyebrows and said, “Riiiiight.” He thought it sounded about as interesting as dirt. (Hey dirt can be interesting.) I had no clue what kind of weeds this movie (or TV show) must be about, but I was intrigued. A whole movie about weeds! Wow! I take it from your post that they do not mean the same kind of weeds that I was thinking of though. Boy am I naive. And very glad I didn’t rent it.
I have seen it, but only some of the first season. My husband loves it, so I’ve seen bits and pieces of it since. If you thought the first season was bad, do NOT watch any more. It gets ten times worse. I can’t watch it. It makes me anxious. Not to mention to watch people put themselves in those types of situations is too hard for me, hence the anxiousness.
It is on HBO, so I assume a lot of people don’t have that channel. And if they do, they don’t allow their children to watch. Though you can watch it online, which my husband does. So, there is no telling how many kids can find it that way. But I know what happens when you assume, but I just hope that America isn’t that far gone to allow their kids to watch it.
oops, not HBO, showtime. All the same, it is a channel that not everyone has.
Amen! We haven’t had broadcast television for years and we have become so re-sensitized to offensive content (that most of our society appears to accept as “normal”) that when we are at my parents’ house we end up only watching HGTV. (Wait, someone will probably claim that they are offended by HGTV…and I want to say that I can see that point of view, too!:-))
AMEN, Sistah!
What boggles my mind is how many people have not actually researched the studies that speak to what level of influence tv has on a child’s life, and think that television is no big deal. ANYTHING children (or adults) are exposed to comes to seem normal after a while. That behavior not something I ever want to seem normal to my child.
And the arguement that one should expose their children to all this gritty reality so they are prepared for the world makes about as much sense as advocating sex for children because, after all, they are going to be married someday and have sex so they might as well be exposed to it now. Some things are just not developmentally appropriate.
Put me in the “all-time favorite show” category, and also squarely in the Christian category.
The issue is isn’t whether or not you embrace or approve of that lifestyle (any more than a fan of Johnny Cash necessarily embraces the boozin’ and womanizing he sings about - and lived - or to love John Grishom implies one is condoning murder etc.) it is ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. My God what a boring life if art had to pass that test! The issue is,and solely is: do you find this show funny, or not?
I am always surprised and disappointed when adults can’t make that connection. Or choose not to.
That’s the beauty of a pro-choice America (pun absolutely intended). Don’t like it? Then don’t watch it. Choose something else; click the remote. No need to rant.
There are many truly offensive things out there, but Weeds isn’t one of them.
There’s a wonderful way I’ve discovered to prevent your children from getting involved in drugs, it’s called PARENTING.
One’s choice of a cable show is so utterly and obviously besides the point; a true red herring.
[...] Thanks to all who responded to yesterday’s post about the Showtime sitcom, [...]
I thought nothing of your title and picture. I obviosly have not seen the show. And thanks to you I will not. My husband and I often say how awful television is today - to bad people can’t see through the slime.
@ Mandy
Heather understands that my comments were not directed at her perosnally. My comments were a direct result of all the comments I read in reply to Heather.
Lord help us if we parent with “hope for the best”.
Parenting is the HARDEST job. They do not come with a manual. Cable is the LEAST of our worries. We can absolutley control that. We can control pretty much everything in our own home. It’s outside of the home where they will be faced with the hard choices. How does one prepare their child for the “curiosity factor?”.
I believe in trying to parent somwhere in the middle, I don’t agree with extremes and I think we can all agree that Parents that allow their teens to run amock are asking for trouble. I also believe that over sheltereing can result in problems. I could go into detail but want to keep this short :)
I also think my views are a little different to those that have younger children than to teens. Your will change to as mine were similar when they were younger.
I think we all try to do our absolute best and with the tools we have. I think Heather and Jeff are raising 3 very well rounded children.
WEEDS is the least of our worries in this world. What happens when your kids are old enough to stay at home while you are at work? Well cable is the least of your worries. I’d be more concerned about the internet and I AM more concerned about the internet.
It’s like driving a car…I trust myself, it’s the others out there I don’t trust.
@ Curt
HA…trust a man to get everything I was trying to say into a paragraph or less!! Well done.
Obviously, I am not a member of the targeted audience for this blog, and only came across it via a link from somewhere else.
From now on I’ll keep my comments to myself or just not read this blog anymore. But, in my defense, I am NOT advocating exposing impressionable children (or adults) to whatever comes along.
There are plenty of things out there I CHOOSE not to watch or partake in. I know nothing about “Weeds.” In fact I had never heard of it (I get basic cable!), but I’m not so naive and “un-worldy” as to not have figured out the subject matter. I just wanted to say that there are lots of things that offend me that other people think are enjoyable and quite benign. At the risk of being hurtful I don’t advocate tatooing or smoking. I’m sure I do things that offend people, but I try not to judge others regarding the choices they make.
I think putting myself on a self-righteous soapbox makes people look for my shortcomings. I’m not comfortable with that.
Mandy, yes, I do know that this is Heather’s “personal blog” but it is very public if you haven’t nothiced. I don’t think she would’ve posted this if she didn’t want comments. And I would imagine she was not going to think everyone agreed with her.
I AM a Christian, and was raised in a conservative Anabaptist church; so was my daughter. My husband is a preacher’s kid. And, of course, I tried to teach my daughter about moral behavior, and protected her as best I could from what I felt was harmful or too mature. She is now a well-adjusted thriving college student who, I am convinced, is makinge healthy moral decisions.
I do think that there is moral decay in this country. I am appalled. My stand is more about censorship; and looking for the “beam” in my own eye before considering the “mote” in someone else’s. (See Matthew and Luke)
Julie - I do hope you don’t keep your comments to yourself…I’ve let all comments flow freely and did not intend to censor responses.
I did comment above to what you wrote - I do agree that speaking strongly against/for ANYTHING will open me to judgment in other areas of my life.
****
I absolutely did expect disagreement. I put on my big girl panties and can handle it just fine *smerk*
I’ve never watched “Weeds” but have a friend who keeps telling me to, but frankly I haven’t seen anything about it that entices me to rent it. I’m so glad to see you’re able to look at both sides (I don’t have a side, btw) objectively and without taking offense. I’ve commented on other blogs (usually political) where if my opinion didn’t match their opinion then I was as much as told not to leave any more comments. This makes me laugh because I’ve never left a mean comment in my life and never will. Oh well, I just assume everyone is fighting some sort of battle and we should all cut each other some slack. You did just that!
ITA. it’s despicable. You said it well.
[...] Heather at OMSH put it the best when she said this, concerning some disagreement on her assessment of the show “Weeds”: “I absolutely did expect disagreement. I put on my big girl panties and can handle it just fine *smerk*” [...]
I had never heard of this show, and it sounds like I’m not missing a thing. We have TV, and even cable, but it’s very limited!!
I agree that with all the junk on the tube these days, no wonder kids are behaving the way they are. Thanks for your review!
YESSSSS!!!!! i was SO excited to get my Weeds season 1 blockbuster DVD in the mail the other day. we don’t have cable so i thought i’d start with what i thought would be a pretty good show to watch. um, no. terrible. i turned it off 15 minutes into the 1st season’s 1st show. i could not watch anymore. so wrong- on so many levels. sent the DVD back as soon as i could. thanks for writing so well about this. like the pastor said at the church i visited yesterday, our country has lost its ability to say “that is just wrong.”
As a devout member of my faith, I hold true to the verse in Philipians. We have used it in an explanatory article on what we believe: “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul- we believe all things, we hope all things, and if thereis anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
Something I realized as a teenager was that even though I liked sitcoms such as Frasier that are usually clean, there was always that chance that the episode would include something that grated against what I believe to be good. I would hurry and change the channel, but what I saw or heard was already in my head. That was when I decided I would just not watch any sitcom. I have never seen a rated R movie. Some PG-13 movies I don’t even watch. We just turned off our cable because all we were paying for was trash… and a little HGTV in between. Seeking after the things which Paul spoke leaves no room to allow those things in which aren’t.
I realize that people who aren’t really religious or have different religious or media views will think I am a prude or naive, but I don’t feel as though I am missing out on anything. I don’t ever feel out of the loop.
The children in our church sing a song entitled, “If the Savior Stood Beside Me” in which one line asks, “If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?” Though it is a child’s song, I often have that line run through my head and change my actions so that I would feel that my home is a place where the Savior would feel at home.
It is important for me to teach my children how to discern right from wrong, and to be able to say no when something doesn’t feel right. That way, when they do go off into that world of possibilities, they can choose the right for themselves.
I’m late to this party but will chime in anyway. I love the show. I think it’s funny, well written and entertaining. Good thing we all have something called choice and free will at our disposal.
If this type of programming doesn’t appeal to you, don’t watch. Judging people who do or questioning their morals doesn’t seem very Christ-like. Some of the things I’ve read here bother me a bit. Glass houses and let he who has no sin and all that.
Telling someone they have no morals just because they don’t align with yours is just not right.
I absolutely agree that kids today are growing up too fast. I’m trying to shelter mine as best I can for as long as I can.
But please don’t automatically assume I’m a bad person or parent because of the way I choose to spend my free time.
@Curt- Rock on! I’m way more concerned about monitoring my son’s teachers, friends, coaches and internet usage than him somehow catching an eyeful of Weeds.
Wowza! We don’t have cable (cuz we’re poor) and have Netflixed Weeds. I think we watch it like a traffic accident, with our jaws on the floor at the unbelievability at the things those people do. I guess it’s like a soap opera for us. And not having a lot of money, the main character really makes me think about what I would do to keep my family intact through bad times. To me it is a morality tale: don’t lose my certification because I might *need* to go back to work someday, don’t be so worried about keeping the kids in any specific house that I’ll do anything to pay that mortgage, etc. I think I’ve done a lot of self-analysis as a result of watching this show. So I guess I’m glad I’ve seen it. Plus I’m a sucker for anything with any ASL or Deaf people in it so I really wanted to see the beginning of the series.
I do think that exposing your children (at the appropriate age) to something like this could generate some good discussions, but you would have to be present as a parent and have those discussions. That’s a lot different from just saying “don’t watch that” to me. I know that we will have a lot of discussions about advertising and how it attempts to manipulate you because that is something both my husband and I find entertaining. I think that “mature” shows are just an extension of that.
Can wait to read the next post!!!
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