Rob Corddry’s “Children’s Hospital” Takes TV Drama to a New Low
In this summer’s crop of new TV shows, there is one series that aims to break the mold of that old standby, the hospital drama. It has a splashy cast of characters, from Henry Winkler (also known as “The Fonz” from Happy Days) to film star Megan Mullally. The show in question is “Children’s Hospital” premiering this week on cable stations across America. Produced by actor and political activist Rob Corddry, the concept behind the show is clever– a children’s hospital with plenty of heart-wrenching scenes of young people suffering, lightened by comedic moments and an endless cycle of love trysts between the good-looking actors. But does this new show cross the line from melodrama into cheap exploitation?
A careful review of Children’s Hospital’s first episodes and its promotional material will lead one to conclude that the series is wholly inappropriate for children and is equally offensive to adults. It contains graphic sexual and violent content. As the program is based in a hospital, medical procedures are shown in great detail, with blood, open wounds and surgery being frequent. Violence usually includes explicit examples of injuries, graphic depictions of autopsies and bloody corpses.
The sexual content in this series is usually deviant and perverse. Characters engage in sex frequently, and sex-related dialogue and innuendo is common. Often sex scenes depicting panting and partial nudity are shown. Other sexual content includes, but is not limited to, references to lesbian situations, adultery, premarital sex and masturbation. Foul language primarily consists of the words “bitch,” “damn,” “whore,” “ass,” and “hell.” There are also scenes of alcohol abuse.
In the final analysis, Children’s Hospital feels like nothing more than a gratuitous attempt to profit from the emotionally charged issue of children’s illnesses. For many a parent, particularly those whose kids suffer from disabilities or life-threatening diseases, this is delicate territory. The extent that this show exploits and pushes buttons will strike many as offensive and repulsive. In addition, the plot lines for this TV drama are outrageous and frankly implausible. This low budget project appears to be yet another sad attempt to ride on the coattails of such popular shows as Grey’s Anatomy and House M.D..
In conclusion, it might be worthwhile to reflect on another recent television controversy. When Fox’s dubious series “Family Guy” mocked Sarah Palin’s son Trig for his Downs Syndrome, Governor Palin released a poignant response about TV shows that seek to profit from the suffering of an innocent child. It was written by her daughter and posted to the Governor’s Facebook account:
“People with special needs face challenges that many of us will never confront, and yet they are some of the kindest and most loving people you’ll ever meet. Their lives are difficult enough as it is, so why would anyone want to make their lives more difficult by mocking them? As a culture, shouldn’t we be more compassionate to innocent people – especially those who are less fortunate? Shouldn’t we be willing to say that some things just are not funny? Are there any limits to what some people will do or say in regards to my little brother or others in the special needs community?” –Bristol Palin
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Childrens-Hospital-Cartoon-1020340.aspx
- Sinful
- Suspicious
- Scared
- Sad
- Amused
- Laughing Out Loud
Author: Stephenson Billings
Stephenson Billings is an Investigative Journalist, Motivational Children's Party Entertainer and Antique Soda Bottle Collector all in one special, blessed package! Facebook me here or Fanmail me: StephensonBillings@yahoo.com !
4:02 am
blah blah blah blah i don’t understand comedy blah blah it’s evil blah blah blah i don’t like it you are not alowed to like it blah blah
sorry that’s all i got.
i find the bible offensive so until you ban that i will not take that argument as valid. just because you don not understand the entertainment value in the show doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
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7:19 am
“As the program is based in a hospital, medical procedures are shown in great detail, with blood, open wounds and surgery being frequent. Violence usually includes explicit examples of injuries, graphic depictions of autopsies and bloody corpses.”
If you can’t stomach that stuff, don’t watch it.
“Foul language primarily consists of the words “bitch,” “damn,” “whore,” “ass,” and “hell.””
Oh give me a break! “Damn”, “ass”, and “hell” are VERY tame swears. At least they’re not saying fuck.
“Rob Corddry is a regular political correspondent on Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show”"
Not for several years now. Just like Colbert, Corddry has pretty much moved on from that show. I can’t remember the last time I saw him on Daily Show, and we watch every episode.
“In conclusion, it might be worthwhile to reflect on another recent television controversy. When Fox’s dubious series “Family Guy” mocked Sarah Palin’s son Trig for his Downs Syndrome”
Hmm…I recall an “article” of yours where you praised a Mississippi (or was it Alabama?) high school for not allowing “gays and the retarded” into their prom. I believe you kept using that offensive word – “retarded” – throughout the piece rather than using a more friendly term such as “developmentally delayed”, “physically or mentally handicapped”, or even “special education”.
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5:11 pm
And this is when Billings responds…
“Claire, why are you hounding on me? I’m too old for you!”
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6:47 pm
That is how that perv tends to respond.
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12:40 pm
Hello and thank you for the response. The purpose of this review was to inform parents of the potential dangers of this show. Sometimes you need to be specific and graphic so that people know what they could be possibly getting into. If you feel you are able to “stomach” the harsh aspects of this program, you can give it a try but I heartily don’t recommend it. I also believe most Christian parents would agree with my assessment. In any event, I do appreciate your response and your continued support.
Stephenson Billings, Investigative Journalist
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12:45 pm
Where are your credentials, Mr. “Investigative Journalist”?
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8:04 pm
Did you even watch this show? You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about you freak.
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5:15 pm
So what’s worse, this or Patch Adams?
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10:54 pm
I have to say, while I can understand your concerns for other like-minded Christians (and I won’t argue that the show is flat-out stupid and unfunny), what you have to understand is this is on adultswim, intended for adults only and airing long after the kiddies (should) have gone to bed. It seems that you mis the point of the show entirely though…criticizing the show as “frankly implausible” implies that the show isn’t a convoluted random mess, as most adultswim shows are INTENDED to be. Furthermore, I have to agree with Claire…you point the finger at a show intended for adults because you think it may hurt the feelings of traumatized children or families, yet you blatantly insult homosexuals and mentally handicapped children, even going so far as to applaud their denial of their basic rights to education! Is this Christianity? Funny, I was raised to treat everyone with respect, no matter if I agree with their lifestyles or not.
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11:24 pm
These guys are to Christians as to what the Westboro Baptist Church is to Baptists. They take things so far that they insult the actual values normal Christians have.
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11:35 pm
LOL! Yeah I got curious about Mr. “Investigative Reporter” and checked out his other so-called “articles”…simply horrifying that some people go through life believing this stuff. For a really good laugh, check out his comments page…constant rebuttals and antagonistic remarks followed by “my friend”. Ha! And really, look at the “blessed this week” section. Am I the only person noticing this stuff?
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11:56 pm
Oh no, trust me, there’s a good chunk of people who can’t help but comment and tell these guys what assholes they are.
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4:02 am
naah we understand that it’s a parody but we we shoot them down for 2 reasons 1. the off chance that they are actually real people means we can’t just let them run around unsupervised right?
and 2. the real fun allways start in the comment section.
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3:21 pm
i must weigh in and agree with stephenson on this one yet again. i, too, have watched every episode thus far and i find it to be utterly lacking in all christian values: blasphemous jokes, immoral and unsympathetic protagonists, not to mention the alcohol abuse.
but i take exception to the mention of the great house MD in the same blog post – the proximity insults house MD. children’s hospital is what house MD would be if HOUSE got run over by a bus of homogays, festered in the arizona sun for a year, then got scraped off the sidewalk by the militant jackboots of a pride parade.
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11:41 am
Useful post. Been trying to learn a different language on the net but not having much success, considering going to a local course so this is useful, thank you.
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12:25 pm
I’m really more scared of the clown character than any sexual “in-your-end-oh”
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5:37 pm
I can’t believe this filth is still on.
For tonight’s new episode cartoon network (for kids!) is promoting:
Co-nudity and partial bestiality steam up the OR
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6:11 pm
That Fonz was always such a good Christan role model for the scoundrels we reach out and minister to.
I’m sorry to see him participating in this filth.
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