Bozell Column: This Is Your Nurse On Drugs

Bozell Column: This Is Your Nurse On Drugs

By Brent Bozell (Bio | Archive)
June 26, 2009 - 12:24 ET

Twisted Hollywood and its twisted parade of tastemakers known as television critics are forever in search of another "black comedy," and if audiences don’t embrace one, then they can always make another one. Showtime didn’t succeed with "Secret Diary of a Call Girl," so now they’re trying a different brand of prostitute. "Nurse Jackie" is an addict who has daily sex at noon with her hospital pharmacist in exchange for Oxycontin and other drugs. She’s married and a mother of two little girls. She is a filthy degenerate.

And the critics love it. Matt Roush of TV Guide calls it "a perfect companion piece to the increasingly twisted ‘Weeds,’" as it "straddles the worlds of drama and comedy with confidence and gutsy gusto." For those who don’t waste their money on Showtime, "Weeds" is a "comedy" where a suburban housewife is a drug dealer pushing marijuana instead of Avon.

There is no doubt these two shows are a match in blackness.

Nancy Franklin of the New Yorker claimed the new show "feels truer to life than the zillions of one-dimensional (or no-dimensional) nurses on television. It’s not just corrective medicine, though – it actually tastes good."

Let me tell you what The New Yorker thinks "tastes good." In the first episode, Jackie and her gay Muslim male nurse friend are laying in the pews of the chapel of All Saints Hospital where they work, looking at a painting of a beheaded John the Baptist. The male nurse says "What does one offer as a side dish when serving John the Baptist’s head on a platter?" Jackie plays along: "Coleslaw. No – mac and cheese. No – potato salad."

If that "actually tastes good" to you, then you should be a TV critic.

Religious themes – actually anti-religious themes – surface routinely. In the show’s debut, Nurse Jackie lays on the floor, recalling that her school teacher Sister Jane du Chantal taught her that those with the greatest capacity for good also have the greatest capacity for evil. "Smart f—ing nun," Jackie says. Viewers will be treated to both sides of Jackie, but the good stuff that emerges only salves the conscience so the viewer can enjoy the evil parts.

Later, a nursing student following Jackie wonders if God is some kind of sadist who wants a certain finite amount of suffering to be spread around the world, that in every place where pain has been alleviated, God imposes it somewhere else. Then she tells drug-addicted, adulterous Jackie "I think you’re a saint."

On her way home, Jackie says in a voice-over that if she were a saint, she’d be like St. Augustine, since he wasn’t going to give up his earthly pleasures until he was good and ready. She says "Make me good, God – just not yet."

That’s not a bargain with God. That’s a Hollywood mantra.

Showtime thinks all the fun in "Nurse Jackie" comes when the nurse plays God. She forges a dead man’s driver’s license to make him an organ donor. She robs a rich doctor to give to that dead man’s poor and pregnant girlfriend. She takes the severed ear of a woman-beater and flushes it down the toilet.

As The New Yorker put it, "She has a habit of throwing the ethical rule book away, and the cascade of consequences is hugely entertaining and often unexpectedly funny." Another one of those allegedly hilarious consequences comes when she hides her powdered narcotics in an artificial-sweetener packet and her boss, anxious to find an artificial sweetener, takes and ingests the drugs in her coffee.

Showtime clearly wants the audience to embrace Jackie and her drug-fogged moral sense. As one slightly less impressed TV critic put it, she is "the health-care equivalent of the whore with a heart of gold." Tom Shales of the Washington Post not only praised the show, but praised the morality of the main character, and how her "years of experience and her highly developed sensitivities are tools she uses to cut to the chase, cut through red tape and cut around middlemen and other gratuitous obstacles planted in her path." In other words, every law she breaks is justifiably broken.

None of these TV critics would want to end up in the hospital in real life and answer "yes" to the question "Would you like your nurse to be whacked out on Oxycontin?" In real life, we’d want this woman to go to rehab, and then to marriage counseling. But anything approaching the right moral course would completely ruin all the "black comedy" fun Showtime is having.

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Tried to get into it

June 26, 2009 - 12:31 ET by StarAZ

I recorded a few, but she seems to have a perfectly nice husband and those cute kids and is still being an idiot. Why doesn't her fair play and compassion ethic extend to her family? Does not compute. I erased it from my To Do List.

Of course

June 26, 2009 - 12:34 ET by StarAZ

Of course, Carmela Soprano also overlooked a few things--such as the fact that hubs was a big ole murderer! Maybe the fault is someone's choice of material--not the critics.

Said It Before

June 26, 2009 - 12:41 ET by BondPlainBond

I like both shows. They are stories. Grown-up fairy tales. Not real life.

Were there a disclaimer at the beginning of each show that said "based on actual facts" or "based on true events", then I would be concerned.

But, these two shows are akin to "24". Pure fantasy.

OK, fantasy

June 26, 2009 - 13:01 ET by StarAZ

I guess it's not my dream to see a great actress in a butch haircut trying to snag pills out of a drain with chewing gum on a toothbush--kind of devalues the "caring" professions, not to mention women.

Well you don't have to

June 26, 2009 - 13:26 ET by arkansaszippers

Well you don't have to watch it then, do you.

You know who I hate: Toby Keith. But it doesn't affect my life or bother me much, because I just don't listen to any of his music. See how that works? There's really no point in complaining about something you don't even have to watch if you don't want.

Too bad you don't recognize

June 26, 2009 - 19:16 ET by nadadhimmi

Too bad you don't recognize this ongoing attempt to turn the rest of America into f#cking degenerates like Hollywood. They want kids to think it's normal to be a drug addict and normal for their mom's to be drug addicts. Not just normal, way cool. Following your logic, as long as you're not forced to watch it, it's just fine to show women horribly raped, disemboweled, dismembered and then eaten by a cute little, albeit "confused" cannibal. Just offbeat harmless "black" comedy you see.

Yet another demand that we SHUT UP

June 27, 2009 - 21:01 ET by Unsane

Well you don't have to watch it then, do you. No. But last I checked, we are all within our rights to make critical comments and explain to all why we won't watch. What, ARzippers? Do we have to SHUT UP if we don't like something?

You know who I hate: Toby Keith. But it doesn't affect my life or bother me much, because I just don't listen to any of his music. See how that works? Yes, but again, it is totally legitimate to SAY that his music sucks. I'm not the least bit offended if you say my music sucks either. I'm going to keep listening to it, and you are entitled to your opinion, and to your airing of it, as I am mine. See how THAT works?

There's really no point in complaining about something you don't even have to watch if you don't want. It really bothers you to hear other people's opinions doesn't it? Perhaps such concepts as freedom of speech and democracy are offensive to you as well?

"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)

Ok, point taken. It was

June 29, 2009 - 13:22 ET by arkansaszippers

Ok, point taken. It was hypocritical of me to insult someones opinion of something, and I wish I could take my comment back. I was wrong, and you're right.

See, I'm actually quite reasonable. Don't get all worked up, especially on account of me; I'm nobody to get angry about, trust me.

Zip - you don't have to come

June 27, 2009 - 21:15 ET by PeskyDane

Zip - you don't have to come to this website either. See how that works?

I know, but I love it - it's

June 29, 2009 - 13:19 ET by arkansaszippers

I know, but I love it - it's so addictive!

My Take

June 26, 2009 - 14:14 ET by BondPlainBond

I view shows, such as the ones mentioned and those similar, as viewable cheap novels/serials with present day, slick, production quality. The kind you'd find back in the 30s and 40s. The kind Grandma never wanted the grandkids to find laying on Grampa's workbench. Seedy, smarmy, immoral, illicit, deviant, perverse, twisted, and socially reprehensible; the juicy stuff that served as extreme fantasy way back when. Stuff you'd never admit to reading when in polite company. A guilty pleasure.

That society has chosen to incorporate such aberrant behavior into everyday life and make it acceptable (or forgivable) behavior is something else.

For example, isn't the 24-hour coverage of Michael Jackson's dubious and scandal-ridden life and his untimely death by every "news" and "entertainment" outlet available abberrant and salacious behavior? What warrants this extensive and in-depth coverage?

Nothing. Jackson wrote/was given catchy tunes, sang catchy tunes, and could hoof like nobody's business. So did Fred Astaire. Mr Astaire got a fifteen minute retrospective, maybe.

Is media promoting a culture or is culture providing the media with fodder?

Bond

June 26, 2009 - 14:17 ET by Blonde

That, my friend, is an excellent question.

Perhaps you should put it on the forums....it truly deserves a discussion on its own.

I hope he fails, too.

Where the hell do you get off editring my post?

June 26, 2009 - 18:16 ET by nwahs

Where the hell do you get off using what ever position you have at NewsBusters to edit the content of my post?

http://newsbusters.o...

Show us

June 27, 2009 - 21:03 ET by Unsane

That is a pretty serious allegation!

Prove it.

"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)

You have my interest sparked

June 27, 2009 - 21:09 ET by Paragrouper

So whats got your panties in a twist?

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking." - General George Patton Jr

Yeah, she managed to hack

June 27, 2009 - 21:12 ET by PeskyDane

Yeah, she managed to hack into the IP address, and re-write the algorythm on a secure server.

I probably don't have the technicals down pat, but the idea is there.

I have to hand it to you for hiding your insannity for as long as you did.

Except that a lot of it is

June 26, 2009 - 16:29 ET by JasonC

Except that a lot of it is really rather brilliant. Let's face it, a lot of the best literature and film is composed of unsettling subject matter and/or moral ambiguity. Should we condemn Blue Velvet and Ulysses because they are disruptive to traditional values and make us uncomfortable? I certainly hope not.

I haven't seen this nurse show and am thus unqualified to discuss it critically. But really, is it so bad to posit that there might exist a person of a generally benignant profession who does not fit the mold? Is the show in fact suggesting that this character is the norm in the profession. Bozell quotes one reviewer who points out that hospital narratives generally portray nursing staff as virtuous - is it really so wrong to wring humor from the juxtaposition of this archetypal character with a character who aggressively undermines it?

Six Feet Under was, in my opinion, one of the greatest shows ever produced. And it certainly made the world of funeral home management look lurid; at the same time, it was actually honored by the Association of Funeral Directors for its detailed and accurate depiction of the day-to-day processes of running such a business.

I guess my point is simply that making a satire about a nurse with some bad habits shouldn't be taken as an indictment of all nurses everywhere.

Jason, what you've failed to

June 26, 2009 - 16:33 ET by Another Dead Kennedy

Jason, what you've failed to realize is that this show is typical in Hollywood. Pretty much every show that's ever been made about nurses depicts them in a negative way, as this does. People who aren't smart enough will surely think all nurses act this way, when in reality nurses like this don't exist. People confuse fictitious pieces of work with documentary all the time. It's not enough that it's on a premium cable network and airs only at night. Shows like this ultimately lead to the decline of western civilization.

You had me going right up

June 26, 2009 - 16:41 ET by JasonC

You had me going right up til the last sentence...

Well I defended the show

June 26, 2009 - 16:51 ET by Another Dead Kennedy

Well I defended the show when they posted about it last week, so I thought I'd give the counter argument a shot. I'm no good at this.

I guess because Western Civ

June 27, 2009 - 21:17 ET by PeskyDane

I guess because Western Civ just isn't a priority for you?

Six Feet Under was, in my

June 26, 2009 - 18:32 ET by Jack Bauer

Six Feet Under was, in my opinion, one of the greatest shows ever produced.

Agreed. It's in my top five. I even loved the final 10 minute ending of the last show. Which put me in a minority.

“For God's sake, somebody tell Obama that a TRILLION is one MILLION MILLION!!!!”

I have to agree. This is

June 26, 2009 - 14:07 ET by Peter-in-NYC

I have to agree. This is just a TV show. I don't relate to the character. While I'm a conservative I don't expect all the characters on TV to be so, in fact sometimes I want to watch someone else's misadventures too.

And for the record, "Secret Diary of a Call Girl" was a minor hit. It ended because the show ran its course in the UK.

So yes, I think Nurse Jackie is not a nice person, but the stories are interesting. These are people I'll watch on TV, but in real life would loathe to be around.

And this is still better than reality shows like "Jon and Kate." Ugh.

I cancelled HBO

June 26, 2009 - 12:44 ET by Blonde

Nothing they did floated my boat, with the exception of Entourage. Their "black comedies" were abysmal, sounds like nothing has changed. I don't miss HBO a bit.

My idea of fun TV is Burn Notice (plus, it's great fun seeing the local sights). Michael Westin is too cool for school.

I hope he fails, too.

And Bruce Campbell!

June 26, 2009 - 12:57 ET by StarAZ

I could watch Burn Notice every night! I am a huge Bruce Campbell fan--and I am old and not very fan-like.

Mr. Axe is terrific!

June 26, 2009 - 13:02 ET by Blonde

And I love Fi & Mom, too. It's going to be one of the (only) series I'll purchase on DVD....usually I go for only the classic mini-series (Band of Brothers, Centennial, Elizabeth R, etc).

I never saw Bruce Campbell before, he is absolutely terrific and perfectly cast. I know he was in some B-grade cult classic.

They filmed a scene of the first season finale of Burn Notice at the boat yard across the canal from me....it was pretty cool.

I hope he fails, too.

You have to see him in the

June 26, 2009 - 13:29 ET by Dan The Man 2

You have to see him in the Evil Dead, there were three in the series. The last one was the best. He has been in some TV Sci-Fi flicks also. He seems to play the same type of character irreverent and funny very sarcastic. But he is fun to watch.

Bubba Ho-Tep is a riot and a

June 26, 2009 - 13:59 ET by Jack Bauer

Bubba Ho-Tep is a riot and a hoot. Check it out if you haven't seen it.

“For God's sake, somebody tell Obama that a TRILLION is one MILLION MILLION!!!!”

I saw that title on the

June 26, 2009 - 14:14 ET by nixon

I saw that title on the channel guide ,and had to see what it was about .

You're absolutely correct ,it was a riot !

Yeah, that movie is great.

June 26, 2009 - 14:39 ET by arkansaszippers

Yeah, that movie is great. Especially how Ossie Davis thinks he's JFK, except that he's black.

Let's not forget Brisco County Jr.

June 27, 2009 - 22:48 ET by RESTLESS 1

"That your name or where your from?"

Autolycus the King of Thieves from the Hercules/Xena shows was a hoot as well.

"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008

Burn Notice Newbie

June 26, 2009 - 13:53 ET by BondPlainBond

Just saw "Burn Notice" recently and enjoy it. Gless is an asset to the show, her character is hilarious. Can't help but hear "little goody two shoes" when sidekick is on screen ("Army of Darkness").

Hey, Blonde... the everyday boat and water shots are shot in my backyard! "CSI: Miami" and "Dexter", too.

CSI Miami

June 26, 2009 - 14:03 ET by Blonde

I never got into CSI Miami....David Caruso bugs me. I'll have to give it another try...Dexter, I see is on Showtime, well, maybe they'll have the vids at the flea market.

Lucky you...I shied away from Miami for years (I still hate the drive), but it is really an interesting place. Do you know where I can get a Miami Vice ringtone? Loved that show, it was so hokey it was great. Remember Elvis on the sailboat?

And lucky you, two times. I see both Diaz-Balarts and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen voted no to this cap & tax garbage....my lock-step little Pelosi drone voted yes, of course. Alcee didn't vote, go figure.

I hope he fails, too.

Blonde

June 26, 2009 - 14:19 ET by BondPlainBond

We watched CSI: Miami to see if we ever showed up in a shot or to see the house! But... Caruso and those shades? The constant head tilt? Oh, puh-LEEEEEZ! Can't stand the guy. And the female with the pipsqueak voice? Nails on a blackboard to me. Gives me the willies.

Local politics. Blech.

I'll look into that ringtone for ya.

Re CSI

June 26, 2009 - 14:53 ET by slickwillie2001

Should really be called 'The David Caruso Show'. I'm sure he works out every scene to show his best side and his most effective poses. Word is that he has an ego bigger than Greater Miami.

blonde -- really! I've

June 26, 2009 - 13:58 ET by Jack Bauer

blonde -- really! I've seen that episode three times.

Can't wait for season 2 to start here.

If you're a Dexter fan any Dexter eps shot near you? Or haunts you've visited?

“For God's sake, somebody tell Obama that a TRILLION is one MILLION MILLION!!!!”

Jack...see Bond's post, above

June 26, 2009 - 14:04 ET by Blonde

I've never seen Dexter, but I'm going to have to give it a shot if I can find it on DVD.

I hope he fails, too.

Do you have a multi-regional

June 26, 2009 - 14:06 ET by Jack Bauer

Do you have a multi-regional DVD player?

“For God's sake, somebody tell Obama that a TRILLION is one MILLION MILLION!!!!”

No, but I imagine they're cheap

June 26, 2009 - 14:14 ET by Blonde

The other thing I cold do is get a second DVD drive for my comptuer....which we're going to have to do in Costa Rica anyway.

<edit> or maybe I could trade Gordon Brown for one....I have spares, LOL.

I hope he fails, too.

Blonde, I had never

June 26, 2009 - 16:44 ET by Chris Norman

Blonde,

I had never watched Burn Notice, but stayed with USA channel after "In Plain Sight" was over (filmed here in Albuquerque) and got caught up in the Burn Notice episode. Now, I'm hooked. I liked the dialogue between Weston (sp) and the arms dealer that was holding his brother hostage. Now I'm hooked. I bet that arms dealer character will pop up again.

The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.

Good going, Chris

June 26, 2009 - 16:48 ET by Blonde

Although BN has great scenery, snappy dialogue, and cool stuff (spy tactics)....I think the real beauty of it is that the good guy always comes out on top, while Michael, Fi & Sam always kick the bad guy's butt. A basic good vs. evil tale.

I'm pleased you like it.

I hope he fails, too.

Blonde, I think the main

June 26, 2009 - 17:05 ET by Chris Norman

Blonde,

I think the main thing that BN has going for it is the main characters are likeable and, by having Michael narrate the show, it makes the audience feel like they're in on the whole thing. It keeps him from being just another unapproachable super hero spy.

Have you ever watched "In Plain Sight"? It's obvious attraction for me is recognizing all the local scenery, but I like the main characters also. However, I could do without the soap opera- like story arc of Mary's family life.

The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.

I've not seen it.

June 26, 2009 - 17:16 ET by Blonde

I'll keep an eye out for it, now.

I hope he fails, too.

Bruce

June 26, 2009 - 18:10 ET by Chaitealover

I first saw Bruce Campbell about 15 years ago in the TV series "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr." It was a light comedy/western with some sci-fi thrown in. Hilarious, especially his scenes with his horse, Comet. I've been a fan ever since [of Bruce, not necessarily the horse].

Chai

“When all government...in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided...” Thomas Jefferson

Did somebody mention Bruce Campbell?

June 27, 2009 - 23:17 ET by Free Stinker

Bruce is great in just about anything he appears in!

Little know Sarah Palin Fact:

Back in late October 2008, Chuck Norris, Keifer Sutherland, Bruce Campell and Jet Li got together to determine - once and for all - who the roughest/toughest/strongest/etc TV/Movie tough guy of all time was. They made so much noise, Sarah Palin had to scold them. "Keep it down over there!" She yelled. "I'm trying to save The Republic!" They all bowed their heads in shame and meekly said "Yes ma'am."

Nothing is sacred or pure

June 26, 2009 - 12:50 ET by jefflebowski

The problem is no right or wrong exists anymore in this country. Unless it is a conservative who disapproves of deviant or criminal behavior. Once a conservative like Mr. Bozell voices his opinion of an immoral program, he is a sexist, prude and possibly a homophobe in the eyes of the unwashed left. Unfortunately, the name calling works on Republican politicians who run for cover when called racist, homophobe, sexist, etc. Tolerance exists for everyone except conservatives. We are openly ridiculed by the "tolerant."

I'm glad people like Mr. Bozell have the guts to stand up to the voices of immorality. The reason we are declining as a nation is because nothing is sacred or pure anymore and we cannot openly discuss what is wrong in our country because of political correctness.

Angry White Dude

www.angrywhitedude.c...

Not that it's directly

June 26, 2009 - 12:57 ET by Radical1979

Not that it's directly connected, but then would you say what Sanford did was wrong? Just curious.

Yes

June 26, 2009 - 13:20 ET by kdizzydaze

So?

I asked because a surprising

June 26, 2009 - 14:35 ET by Radical1979

I asked because a surprising number of men on this site seem to think it's not a big deal, implying it really isn't wrong and it's a personal issue. It made me curious.

Well of course it's

June 26, 2009 - 14:48 ET by arkansaszippers

Well of course it's different if men do it; they can't help it.

Are you being sarcastic?

June 26, 2009 - 14:53 ET by Radical1979

Are you being sarcastic? It doesn't always come over the internet very well.

If you're being serious I'm sorry I wasted my time reading your post and I'll be sure not to in the future.

Ha, yeah, I'm just being an

June 26, 2009 - 15:05 ET by arkansaszippers

Ha, yeah, I'm just being an ass.

First perfectly truthful post you've made.

June 26, 2009 - 16:14 ET by Blonde

Congratulations.

I hope he fails, too.

You never miss an

June 29, 2009 - 13:26 ET by arkansaszippers

You never miss an opportunity, do you?

Stuff like this just

June 26, 2009 - 12:50 ET by Mazzi

Stuff like this just reinforces my ban of TV. I watch Jeopardy, Good Eats and Mythbusters. Nothing else. And, I record those on my DVR so I don't have to sit through the vile commercials.

"I would rather be historically accurate than politically correct" ~ My husband's T-Shirt

Yeah, TV sucks now -

June 26, 2009 - 13:30 ET by arkansaszippers

Yeah, TV sucks now - especially the commercials! My TV at home is used strictly for porno. At least that serves a purpose...

I've seen that scene

June 26, 2009 - 12:55 ET by ArcherB

Another one of those allegedly hilarious consequences comes when she
hides her powdered narcotics in an artificial-sweetener packet and her
boss, anxious to find an artificial sweetener, takes and ingests the
drugs in her coffee.

I remember seeing that scene. Except it starred Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda and it was rat poison, not drugs.

"To send men to the firing squad, judicial proof is unnecessary."

--Ernesto "Che" Guevara

Turn off

June 26, 2009 - 12:55 ET by janegalt56

I heard an interview with Edie Falco on NPR discussing this show. She is a terrific actress and I loved her in the Sopranos. So I was really ready to like this.

But is was over the top. It's one thing to have the head mafioso engaging in evil behavior, but can't we leave the nurses alone? The script and story line seemed forced and stilted, as though written by typical hollywood writers out to shock you. Kind of like the guys (gay guys - forgot their names) responsible for American Beauty.

Here come da judge

June 26, 2009 - 12:57 ET by sic721

... but praised the morality of the main character, and how her "years of experience and her highly developed sensitivities are tools she uses to cut to the chase, cut through red tape and cut around middlemen and other gratuitous obstacles planted in her path."

Huh, sounds like he's describing Sonia Sotomayor.

"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything."--Mark Twain

Reality....

June 26, 2009 - 13:13 ET by adamsmith

Consider 20% of those in the medical profession are addicts, and I'd say it shows reality. America used to be a "live and let live" country. I've got the left telling me they're taking my money and giving it to people who don't want to work, and the right trying to tell me what kind of TV shows to watch and what kind of sex to have. The Libertarian party needs to take over...Socially liberal, and conservative in everything else. Great thing about TV is if you don't like it, click the remote.......

"Consider 20% of those in

June 26, 2009 - 18:28 ET by stratman

"Consider 20% of those in the medical profession are addicts..."

The numbers I've heard are 10-15% addiction/dependency/abusers, which is similar to the general population.

Regardless, sadly too many.

(sigh)

June 27, 2009 - 21:11 ET by Unsane

Great thing about TV is if you don't like it, click the remote.......and we are all to IMMEDIATELY SHUT UP, right, adamsmith? A strange take from one who claims to be a Libertarian. I would think that a Libertarian would have NO PROBLEM with commentary on a television program coming in for criticism.

Also, again, I DO NOT SEE ANYWHERE WHERE MR. BOZELL IS CALLING FOR GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP. If you can show me where he is, great. If not...what's the problem?

The last group of people we need running this country is the Libertarian party. I kind of like not having a country overrun by druggies and burnouts. I also kind of like living in a country that matters in the world, instead of living in a country which has been rendered totally whiny.

"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)

Yesterday, Savage played a

June 26, 2009 - 13:11 ET by ckc1227

Yesterday, Savage played a clip of an interview where Falco was
questioned about the state of health care in this country, as if she is
some kind of authority on the issue because she plays a nurse on tv,
lol. It's a good thing she didn't stay in a Holiday Inn the night
before, lol.

I'm not going to lose much sleep over this though. It's a tv show (one I don't watch, by the way). What should make you lose sleep is the fact that there are nurses, doctors, etc using drugs and committing adultery at the hospital. I know from personal experience on both counts. It happens....a lot.

ahhh

June 26, 2009 - 13:24 ET by USAnumber1

so i guess the show is realistic after all..

Re Falco

June 26, 2009 - 14:11 ET by slickwillie2001

She was probably interviewed because she is one of a group of celebutards going around the country as the headliners of the astroturf movement in favor of socialized single payer medicine.

TV Mobster's Wife Backs ACORN's Government Healthcare Push: http://spectator.org

Kind of appropriate that she would be involved with the ACORN Crime Syndicate.

when do the adults come home?

June 26, 2009 - 13:14 ET by wizardjr

The "entertainment" industry has been taken over by a bunch of juvenile potty-mouths run amok. There is no 'class', only 'crass'.

It would be nice if the adults would come home and spank these jerks and turn this country back to a civilized place.

Let me guess: you're old,

June 26, 2009 - 13:47 ET by arkansaszippers

Let me guess: you're old, right?

Let me guess

June 26, 2009 - 13:52 ET by Blonde

You are young and have no class, right?

I hope he fails, too.

EVERYTHING IS TELEVISION'S

June 26, 2009 - 14:01 ET by USAnumber1

EVERYTHING IS TELEVISION'S FAULT!

But Bill O'Reilly and

June 26, 2009 - 17:48 ET by 24enak

But Bill O'Reilly and doctor Tiller death has nothing to do with each other. Let me be clear I don't think BO had anything to do with 'Tiller the baby killer' as BO often referred to him as.

You can't pick and choose. If nurse jackie and the msm can influence and corrupt those who watch than so can BO and Fox News.

Guilty as charged.

June 26, 2009 - 14:11 ET by arkansaszippers

Guilty as charged.

AMEN

June 26, 2009 - 14:12 ET by USAnumber1

AMEN!

I've seen this show before

June 26, 2009 - 13:22 ET by kdizzydaze

It's called "House" and it's on FOX.

Nah -- Greg House is

June 26, 2009 - 13:43 ET by Jack Bauer

Nah -- Greg House is constantly challenged on his misanthopy and personality disorder by all the other main characters; and disease of the week extras.

I gurantee that this Nurse will be "reinforced" by other characters. I'll stick to Dexter I think.

“For God's sake, somebody tell Obama that a TRILLION is one MILLION MILLION!!!!”

Dollhouse anyone?

June 26, 2009 - 14:15 ET by Jack Bauer

As this has turned into a general TV section, anyone into DOLLHOUSE? Joss Whedon's newie?

It's rather good -- and certainly no bad language. Also stars Dexter's Brit girlfriend slash nutjob stalker from season 2.

“For God's sake, somebody tell Obama that a TRILLION is one MILLION MILLION!!!!”

I find it funny that this is

June 26, 2009 - 14:46 ET by Another Dead Kennedy

I find it funny that this is now the 2nd article about Nurse Betty, and I while I defend the show as a purely fictional work, I still have no interest in tuning in. Even during the free Showtime weekend I didn't tune in. Still watching Arrested Development reruns. And Sunny.

Arrested Development

June 27, 2009 - 08:30 ET by jacktheripper

IMO the best show ever produced for tv...I mean "Bob Loblaw" the name of the lawyer is GENIUS, I could go on and on

Sounds Like He Wants The FCC To Regulate Showtime...

June 26, 2009 - 15:55 ET by The7Sticks

If it's not enough to regulate broadcast TV or cable TV, now he sounds like he wants to regulate premium channels like HBO and Showtime. If someone already chose to pay for those specific channels, it's pretty clear that they wanted to see shows like this in the first place.

I will say this: this nurse makes Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest look like a saint.

And FYI, I'm getting a little sick and tired of morons who have nothing good to say about Hollywood. If you have nothing good to say about it, then shut up. I don't have to listen to morons who badmouth my town, but I have to read it ad naseum, ooh, "Hollywood is controlled by secualr Jews" or "It's the equivelent of Sodom and Gommorah" and so on. Is it just me, or do I hear more Hollywood-bashing than I do middle America-bashing?

P.S.: I'd just go with the DVD season sets of Arrested Development because that's how you can watch it in all it's glory. I heard that Target has discounted all three seasons at around 13.99 each, so it's probably a great deal.

Hollywood, being a pretty

June 26, 2009 - 17:08 ET by Another Dead Kennedy

Hollywood, being a pretty liberal establishment, is an easy target for conservatives.

Oh yeah - I keep the A.D. box sets at work and keep it on a loop. Brilliant writing, amazing cast. Too bad we only got 2 1/2 seasons out of it. We'll have to settle for the movie if/when it ever gets made.

No one has anything against

June 26, 2009 - 16:53 ET by Chris Norman

No one has anything against "Hollywood" - the city or the people living there. "Hollywood" is just shorthand for the area and what many people are opposed to are the crappy products they produce and export. Not that I want their crap banned - anymore than you want our right to criticize their crap revoked.

The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.

(SIGH)

June 27, 2009 - 21:15 ET by Unsane

If it's not enough to regulate broadcast TV or cable TV, now he sounds like he wants to regulate premium channels like HBO and Showtime. I have yet to see Mr. Bozell advocate such. Can you quote for me where specifically he is calling for regulation of premium cable? Not "sounds like".

What is with some of you people? Can you not handle any kind of negative, critical commentary aimed at a television program???

"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)

Sigh. And I remember when

June 26, 2009 - 16:58 ET by Chris Norman

Sigh. And I remember when "Julia" starring Diahann Carrol was "controversial". Seems quaint now. They can make all the shows they want with human car wrecks as their heroes. I won't watch them. It's just pretty sad when the most imaginative thing they can up with for "original entertainment" is, "Hey, let's make the central character an unlikeable mess of a human being - that's cutting edge!".

The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.

Really?

June 26, 2009 - 17:24 ET by 24enak

I haven't seen the show because I don't get showtime, but it is a tv show. It is fiction, it is a dark comedy, it is trying to be different from other crappy doctor shows (excluding House, I like House).

Shows like 'weeds' and this show are critically acclaimed because they are different from other shows on tv. They spit in the face of stereotypes, the drug dealing housewife or the drug using nurse.

Bottom line IT IS A FICTIONAL TV SHOW, and a fictional character.

Speaking of fictional, dark

June 26, 2009 - 18:19 ET by Another Dead Kennedy

Speaking of fictional, dark comedies - how about Rescue Me? I just discovered it, and man it's good.

ditto

June 26, 2009 - 21:54 ET by 24enak

I love Rescue Me, I discovered it a couple of years ago like season 2 or 3. Then watched the first season on Hulu it is a great show.

Hooked my laptop up to the

June 29, 2009 - 11:34 ET by Another Dead Kennedy

Hooked my laptop up to the TV to watch shows via Hulu - cable is almost unnecessary now!

Oh, and Breaking Bad. Done.

David Letterman may be lurking here

June 26, 2009 - 20:29 ET by needle

Perhaps the best descriptor for this miserable character is “slutty.”

Personally, I am not sure that I had ever heard this term before recently. I wonder if David Letterman had some input for this wretched bomb.

- Relying upon the MSM for your information is like relying upon an embezzler to manage your portfolio.

Brent...

June 26, 2009 - 22:03 ET by MightyMouth

In the present politcal climate I think the term "black comedy" is probably a no no. Should probably stick to "dark comedy". We can't be too cautious about these things these days...

"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...

Sounds like a great show

June 26, 2009 - 23:11 ET by goldwaterfan

I can't wait to see it. I hope it as good as my other favorite shows; Weeds, Breaking Bad, and Nip/Tuck.

Two cents worth...

June 27, 2009 - 00:02 ET by ozarkian

If I may say something to the "It's only entertainment -- turn it off" folks...My husband and I are teachers, and one thing we discuss continuously is the fact that kids don't know what's appropriate these days. Not only that, but they refuse to listen to wiser heads, because, after all -- the garbage in the culture can't REALLY be bad for anyone, as it's in the movies, the CDs, the TV, etc.

This dumbing down of deviancy does have an effect on society. And every few years, the kids get more blase' about incivility, violence, misogyny, etc. Today, a rapper did his piece about "bitches," "tits," and "ass" on the floor of the LA legislature. And you know what? The kids I teach won't see anything wrong with it....

Yep, so what were you doing

June 27, 2009 - 00:27 ET by general company

While your community Rep were talking about this? did you write a letter, go down to their office? Look preaching to the chior dont work, go be opposition. There may be folks making decions for your kid and you that you dont even know about. No longer does the "I hate talking politices" excuse work. Tune in folks, your life may depend on it.

My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful

"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg

my two cents

June 27, 2009 - 01:34 ET by 24enak

It's not popular culture fault. It is up to the parents to manage what their children watch/listen/play. Every generation blames 'kids and their darn rock and roll music' to use a cliche. I'm sure it was the same when you were growing up, whenever that was.

I listen to Marilyn Manson, System of a Down, Eminem and watch South Park, I am very respectful, civil, nonviolent to everyone. Does it influence kids sure but only because their parents let that 'garbage' influence them.

I might also add that I have bought Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, all the greats of rock and roll (no hair metal, hate hair metal) CD's.

Who did she vote for?

June 27, 2009 - 07:43 ET by BlueCat57

I can't wait until we find out who she voted for. I'll bet it is McCain.

And I bet she can't wait for nationalized health care so she can have the thrill of euthanizing patients so she can get their drugs.

(and for those trolls out there this is sarcasm)

I'll tell you what's "black comedy"...

June 27, 2009 - 09:50 ET by ArchConservative

Black comedy and cutting edge and being truer to life would be looking at painting of a dead Allah or Muhammed and saying "What would be a good side dish to go with the head of Allah?" And then get all laughing and smoke weed and shoot up in the middle of the mosque with her gay friend. Now that would be must-see-TV.

Once again, the MSM and the hoi polloi have determined that debasing and demeaning Christ is easy and fun. Making fun of muslims and their deity is still off base. Kind of like making fun of ObamaMessiah is off base but Bush bashing is still fine.

And, once again, high profile conservatives and the GOP are silent. It's enough to make me puke.

You support the troops by supporting the mission! If you don't support the mission, have the guts to say you don't support the troops.

Obama: Not my President. Ever.

Allah means God, some

June 27, 2009 - 10:48 ET by 24enak

Allah means God, some muslims belief that the Christian, Jewish and Muslim God are the same. Yahweh, Allah, God to some are all the same person just different languages. http://www.hulu.com/watch/5276/30-days-muslims-and-america

How in the world is showtime apart of the MSM? The joke making was about john the baptist not Christ. And please don't tell me you are comparing Bush to Christ.

Allah means God No allah

June 27, 2009 - 13:07 ET by Dan The Man 2

Allah means God

No allah means god with a little g, and in Islamic controlled countries Christains and Jews adn others refer to God as allah because it is illegal to refer to God as any other. And we need only look to Iran to understand what happens when you dissent from the ruling thoecracy.

John teh Baptist is an icon in Christian theiology and lore, he is the one who points to Christ. He was killed for his steadfastness to God and Christ. To denigrate him is to denigrate the whole of the Christain body.

Allah was the Islamic

June 27, 2009 - 19:40 ET by Jerry

Allah was the Islamic "Moon" god adopted by the prophet Mohammed to be the one true god. In Mohammed's day (7th century), Islaam had many gods, one of which was Allah, so to try to correlate the two is utter nonsense.

When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).