During his 20-year reign at Disney, Michael Eisner’s commitment to family values was viewed with suspicion by many. The worries apparently were well-founded. His animation studio, Tornante, has a new clay-animated cartoon on Nick at Nite called "Glenn Martin, DDS." Eisner and Nick at Nite executive Cyra Zarghami claim it’s a show for the entire family.
Even TV critics – the crowd always wanting to applaud anything pushing the cultural envelope – think it’s outrageous to make that claim. "You know you’re in for a bumpy ride when the first joke has to do with killing prostitutes," wrote Mike Hale of the New York Times. He wanted out of the dental chair when a tasteless joke about a "blood bath" of a circumcision by a "rabbi with Parkinson’s" arrived.
Yes, this is the same Nick at Nite whose original 1985 lineup included Donna Reed and Dennis the Menace reruns.
"Glenn Martin, DDS" has been heavily promoted across the Nickelodeon family of cable channels – as well as on the raunchy Comedy Central network, a much more appropriate home for it. The plot centers around Dr. Martin’s idea of putting his family – wife, teenage son, almost-teenage daughter, and dog – in an RV to bring greater togetherness, but it’s really just a plot device for allegedly hilarious on-the-road humor.
One much-advertised episode is "The Grossest Show on Earth," where Conor, the hapless 13-year-old son of the dentist, finds a new career – as a circus act where his head disappears into the rear end of the elephant, which the elephant enjoys immensely. Audience members are shown vomiting into their popcorn.
This might make for family viewing at the Eisner estate. What about your home? This new circus act followed several failures. We’re shown the blood and gore of Conor throwing a knife into the eye of the knife-thrower, and Conor throwing a bucket of gasoline on a smoking clown who burns to death. Scenes like this don’t exactly ring with Eisner’s promise of a show that "re-envisions the classic family sitcom" and "delivers humor in a mature, sophisticated manner."
In a different episode, Conor consults a spirit guide in search of "major boobage." The guide promises clarity, to which Conor replies, "I don't need clarity. I need Serenity -- and I need to see her naked!" When his wish is granted, the guide tells Conor to "get up on that."
Another episode focuses on Dr. Martin helping a Mafioso with a bad tooth. Introduced to Mafia members in a club, he asks if the women beside them are their wives. A mobster berates him: "Don’t talk about our wives in front of the whores!" A woman named Crystal tells him she’s "no relation to Billy Crystal, although I have faked an orgasm in a diner."
One shocked parent protested on Metacritic.com that "Nickelodeon is supposed to be a children's network, and they have this on during the dinner hour? We live in the Pacific time zone, and I was exposed to this while making dinner for my daughters, who are 5 and 7, and they had just finished watching ‘The Penguins of Madagascar.’"
That’s not an accident. What is truly revolting is that Nick at Nite is really hoping young children will stay for the orgasm jokes. The show’s website actually boasts to that effect. "The premiere week posted double-digit gains for Nick at Nite over last year's like time period with kid, tween and teen demos... The premiere episodes held 89% of its lead-in ratings (The Penguins of Madagascar) with kids 2-11."
You really wonder how in the world these entertainment executives can look at themselves in the mirror.
Eisner’s awful judgment began with his inspiration for the show: a fellow Disney executive’s dog had a rear end that was "beyond disgusting." He explained, "When the dog was in the room, you just couldn’t even look at the dog because you would be obsessed with this part of the anatomy. And when the dog turned around and walked away from you — it was like, please. So I just wanted this dog in a television show."
The family dog on "Glenn Martin" has a large red anus. They’re so proud of it, they highlight it on the show’s website. The New York Times reports that Nickelodeon commemorated Eisner’s "inspiration" by handing out plastic toy dogs that excrete brown jelly beans.
It’s amazing that Eisner never tried this "mature, sophisticated" schtick with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. This man truly disgusts.




















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Well it is on cable...
September 26, 2009 - 07:48 ET by shawn228....and as parents we should be more responsible on keeping tabs on what our kids watch, but Nick in my opininion should try to be sensitive to not putting it on during the dinner hour regardless of time zone.
"I have a Bush man-crush, you need to understand."-Mr. Shy
Shawn......
September 26, 2009 - 10:14 ET by Timothy HUsually, I would completely agree with your first statement, but in this case, the show isn't in the same catagory as South Park and the like. It is advertised as a family show, during family hours, and on a "family" network. So I only partially agree.
I am a big "personal responsibility" guy, and I believe that it's my job BEFORE it is the network's to ensure that my children are watching appropriate programming. But in this case, I have a serious issue with this kind of humor (which I don't mind when targeted at adults) is deliberately focused at children. Nick has a longtime reputation for being family and kid friendly, so disguising this show in it's lineup will fool a lot of parents into believing that the show is acceptable for their kids.
The fact that Eisner is deliberately marketing this show at children is disturbing. Were this show available in the late hours, or on Comedy Central or the like, I wouldn't have any problem with it. Adults should have the right to decide what entertains them. But marketing this sort of show to kids is far beyond irresponsible, and should be condemned.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe. - Albert Einstein
Good morning Tim
September 26, 2009 - 11:00 ET by shawn228Sorry I was unaware that this was being marketing and focused toward Children. I have already stated that Nick shoud be aware of showing this during family hours, but if it is marketed toward children I would tend to agree with you.
"I have a Bush man-crush, you need to understand."-Mr. Shy
Timothy
September 26, 2009 - 23:34 ET by DoktorFrankenI couldn't have said it better, nor agree with you more.
the latest South Park take
September 27, 2009 - 17:07 ET by notonmywatchthe latest South Park take on Disney was very good.
http://www.southpark...
You can watch it at that site.
South Park is a lot more reasonable than Disney. I'd rather watch a show that respects my intelligence than a network which constantly pulls stunts like this. I wouldn't let my kids watch it yet though!
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South Park is evil and has a bad message
September 27, 2009 - 17:17 ET by shawn228...according to the author of this thread. Here is his opinion on the episode you are referring to.
"I have a Bush man-crush, you need to understand."-Mr. Shy
Okay. I disagree. That's OK.
September 27, 2009 - 17:23 ET by notonmywatchOkay. I disagree. That's OK. I wouldn't have expected someone in their 50s to get South Park, to be honest.
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I disagree too
September 27, 2009 - 17:27 ET by shawn228I love South Park. Cartman reminds of some certain posters :-)
"I have a Bush man-crush, you need to understand."-Mr. Shy
As parents we need to
September 26, 2009 - 08:08 ET by Radical1979As parents we need to monitor what our children watch, because the fact that something is labeled and promoted for children, obviously is not.
I don't know if it was Bob Newhart or Jerry Seinfeld who said that comedy using foul language is to easy. I believe that's true, it's more difficult to be funny without being vile (not that what I read was funny). I'd boycott Disney but years ago I lost interest in anything they produce.
Even in my late thirties
September 26, 2009 - 08:28 ET by shawn228Disneyland is still one of my favorite places in the world, Love to watch all the classics with my child.
"I have a Bush man-crush, you need to understand."-Mr. Shy
I used to watch when my
September 26, 2009 - 11:49 ET by Radical1979I used to watch when my kids were little, it sure beat the awful Pokemon stuff I had to sit through. But the drivel they have been showing as t.v. series' is pretty bad. At least they took the one off the air when the kids became to old to play middle schoolers because they said if they moved it to high school it would be a whole new show with more adult issues they didn't feel were appropriate for their audience.
Shows like iCarly are just plain stupid, imho.
Bad writing
September 26, 2009 - 13:53 ET by KC MulvilleI've told my children, on multiple occasions, "This isn't the Disney Channel, where the kids get to make wisecracks. In the real world, we call that backtalk, and it gets you into a whole lot of trouble!"
On the Disney Channel, all of the shows revolve around kids making wisecracks. That's just bad writing. That's their only form of comedy. It's just not that funny. Then again, when you think about it, what other form of politically correct comedy is there for kids? The Three Stooges are too violent. Elmer Fudd is trying to kill Bugs Bunny. I guess the Disney Channel thinks it's a public service to show non-violent backtalk instead.
Why not? Let's encourage kids to grow up as passive-aggressives, so they can become just like liberals.
A society's level of
September 26, 2009 - 08:30 ET by RR GOPA society's level of scatological/potty humor is in direct proportion to its demise.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
No Surprise
September 26, 2009 - 08:40 ET by Obi-WandreasI thought Nick-at-Nite went down the crapper the moment it started showing things that were in color.
Mmmmm... not quite
September 26, 2009 - 08:50 ET by bretzysdudeI think what shot themselves in the foot was the 90's... After the Cosby-era, very few shows were family friendly, high-quality, or both.
I find it kind of funny
September 26, 2009 - 10:25 ET by Chris NormanI find it kind of funny that Nick's TV Land has long ago dropped the shows from the fifties and sixties in favor of Roseanne and Malcolm in the Middle. It's like the "nostalgia trivia" games they show before a movie in the theatres that ask questions about Arnold Shwarzenegger movies...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Chris.....
September 26, 2009 - 10:31 ET by Timothy HI find it funny that you said that. I got the same feeling when I was listening to a classic rock station here yesterday and hear Motley Crue and Iron Maiden......ouch.....
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe. - Albert Einstein
"Golden Oldies"
September 26, 2009 - 11:05 ET by Chris Norman"Golden Oldies" redefined...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
I'm no prude, but the ABC
September 26, 2009 - 10:27 ET by Chris NormanI'm no prude, but the ABC Family channel has offered some movie selections that have raised my eyebrows a tad and making me think, are they really sure that this is a family-type movie? Yikes.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
I was disappointed when Pat
September 26, 2009 - 11:46 ET by Radical1979I was disappointed when Pat Robertson sold the Family channel to ABC because I knew this wouldn't be far behind. It's tagline is "A new kind of family". For them it often means one without morals.
Nick
September 26, 2009 - 10:53 ET by someloudthunderNo one watches Nick at Nite and if they do they are over 30.
SLT........
September 26, 2009 - 11:10 ET by Timothy HWhat's wrong with being over 30? ;-)
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe. - Albert Einstein
Sometimes...l
September 26, 2009 - 13:01 ET by KTSavageI'm REALLY glad I don't have cable.
About Nick at Nite...
September 26, 2009 - 15:32 ET by PrairieSkyNick at Nite used to be a great channel for everybody, and kids in particular. My daughter (now in her twenties) grew up with Nick at Nite, and we all enjoyed watching it, and I never worried about what she would see there. I remember thinking at the time what a great idea it was to have a channel devoted just to programming for kids....It was generally good, clean fun. Today it has pretty much degenerated into absolute garbage. It a real shame to see what Nick at Nite has become.
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
Yet another example of attacks on our children.
September 26, 2009 - 20:52 ET by BO STINKSSeems like the innocent are always undre attack these days by the culture of corruption. Programs like these make me wonder how many pedophiles are in power in hollywood ????
"How strangely will the Tools of a Tyrant pervert the plain Meaning of Words!" Sam Adams
Comment
September 26, 2009 - 23:32 ET by DoktorFrankenThis is the second time in as many weeks (I think) that our host has commented on subject matter on TV - actually, cable/sat. TV. I feel grateful that none of my boys (now all over 21) ever became what they viewed, at times, on TV. No trouble with police, drink, or drugs. And they couldn't be a more polite bunch of guys - when they're not acting like me.
It gets harder with each generation for people to experience an untainted childhood - one that seems the ideal in the parents' mind. I do not envy you newer parents.
I agree dok
September 26, 2009 - 23:49 ET by cajun2Just this week, a segment on CNN about adultery being a good thing and anyone against it was an intolerant Christian being a bad thing. This is how you begin a "fundamental transformation" of this country. First, you destroy independance, destroy morality, and the government takes over every aspect of our lives. Like you, my kids are grown and are fine successful young women. The war has begun. I have done all I can to "arm" my children.
That's Why I Stick To "Robot Chicken" On Adult Swim...
September 28, 2009 - 22:03 ET by The7SticksThis doesn't sound like much of a funny show anyway. It sounds like they are trying to rip off far more superior shows like Family Guy or Robot Chicken. You know, I get the feeling Michael Eisner decided to make this show because he was always targeted as the butt of many Disney-related jokes on Family Guy, like that funny gag where Peter and Stewie are spoofing Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Eisner is in the roll of one of those human-heart sacrificing savages and tries to go after Peter's heart, and Peter yells "You betrayed the shareholders!" Or the episode where Eisner tries to make Brian foot the bill for being the winner of the ABC reality show The Bachelor by yelling "No givesys-backsys!"
I have no doubt that Michael Eisner is simply jealous of Seth MacFarlane because of the jokes made at Eisner's expense, and that MacFarlane makes more money now than Eisner could ever have dreamed of. That's why I stick to Robot Chicken on Adult Swim: I find it funnier to see Optimus Prime having a prostate exam that whatever this new show is.