Glee, Sex, and Youth: A Ramble

Yesterday, I drove up to Boston to meet with Erik Wickstrom at the Unitarian Universalist Association. He’s one heck of a facilitator and will be leading a conversation with our leadership as we finalize a five year plan for the church.

On the way as our local radio station, WRNI began to fade near where we pass the 280 loop, I switched over to Boston’s WBUR. I was listening to Tom Ashbrook’s On Point. I swear Mr Ashbrook has to be one of the best interviewers going. And generally I relish those opportunities to hear him burrow into a subject with knowledgeable guests. Most of the time I get a couple of minutes here or there, never hearing a beginning, nor an end. This time I caught the larger part of a program.

And I have to admit, I wouldn’t have stayed with the show of the day except there I was in that pretty monotonous space between Providence and Boston when one is not clinging to the coast…

The episode, Selling Youth Sexuality turned on the uproar following several cast members from the hit television show Glee doing a soft-core shoot for the men’s magazine, GQ. The points of discussion started with an investigation of how appropriate it is for young adults who play teenagers on a popular television show should appear in various highly provocative and barely clad poses in High School settings in a men’s magazine. The conversation went in several directions.

Because of my lifestyle (as they say) as a parish minister I’m not at home weeknight evenings enough to follow regular programming. I have been aware of Glee, but have never seen an episode.

Except I did catch that there was going to be a show inspired in some manner by the Rocky Horror Picture Show, an old favorite.

And, then, it turned out, that show was going to be on last night.

And, then by additional coincidence, Jan had heard of it, also likes the Rocky Horror Picture Show and had heard of Glee.

And, I was home. The only evening this week not scheduled for some meeting or other.

So, we watched it.

Loved the cameos with Meatloaf and Barry Bostwick.

The music was good. And there was even a pretty racy rendition of “touch-a touch-a touch me” that I quite liked…

The plot, well, there was something that passed for a plot. The only character that had entered my consciousness before seeing a show was the villain, Sue (played by Jane Lynch). They were all pleasant enough, and I suppose with time I could figure out who was whom. I noticed and appreciated there was some sort of tip of the hat to diversity.

But, I was there for the music. And as I said, I wasn’t disappointed.

Then, when it was over, I did find myself thinking about the Tom Ashbrook show.

I understand we Americans have a more conservative approach to sexuality on television than elsewhere in the so-called developed world. And I think I am a bit more open about these matters than the average American.

But, I have to admit, for a show whose target demographic is mostly kids, which I believe is so, I found I was a tad uncomfortable.

I’m not so foolish as to not think High School kids and younger aren’t obsessed with sex and sexuality.

It is a human thing, after all. And once the hormone’s start pumping, well…

But, there is also a socialization curve. 

And the way the show tacked on a moral at the end about how maybe such a production as Rocky Horror wouldn’t really be appropriate for a public presentation in a High School, well, it was only tacked on, and was patently insincere…

So, what to do?

Me, I’m no fan of censorship. And if I were, I probably would be a bit more concerned with violence. I will spare you my rant on the evils of American football. But the commercials for professional wrestling that I have seen make me cringe…

But, I sure hope parents are paying attention.

And, maybe, even, taking some responsibility for making viewing decisions and, what a thought, talking about values…

And, perhaps, getting a little help along the way. Might even consider taking their kids with them to a church that is concerned with values within the context of human dignity.

Like this one.

Okay, I hear the preacher is a gasbag, although the music at worship is divine. But, to my point here, the lifespan faith development program for children and youth (there’s even programming for adults) is amazing…

Or, if you’re not near enough, you can find a list of such congregations around the country, here.

The deal is, its a dance. Find your part and play it with some gusto.

Be responsible.

And have a little fun.

It’s all part of the time warp.