That crazy Madonna. If she’s not pissing off the Catholics, she’s… well, she’s pissing off the Russian Orthodox Church. Her current "Confessions" tour made waves in America (including the cover of the never-reactionary New York Post) for the cheery little number where she crucifies herself on some sort of disco cross while singing "Live to Tell," but she didn’t really get the blasphemy chants going until she hit Europe.
Now, NBC is reconsidering whether or not it’s a good idea to run the "Live to Tell" bit during its upcoming prime-time Madonna concert special. That’s their right as a network in this post-Janet world, I suppose, but still, it’s fair to ask: Did NBC forget that its Madonna concert special was a Madonna concert special? Did they think she would be frolicking with puppies under a sky full of pink fluffy clouds that spell out "Jesus Loves Me"? And how will this kerfuffle affect ABC’s "GWAR: The Truth Behind the Bestiality" sweeps event?
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NBC is foolish if they didn’t think that bit would cause an uproar. At the same time, they shouldn’t pull it from the broadcast. If people don’t like it, chances are, they don’t like Madonna anyway, so why would they tune in? There’s a lot on TV I don’t like and find offensive (the 700 Club, FOX News, reruns of Yes, Dear..) and my simple way of dealing with it is to not watch it. Why is that so difficult? I could go on, but I refer you to Judd Hirsch’s character’s brilliant diatribe on the pilot of Studio 60.
All I’m goin to say is that wasn’t it CBS that backed out of airing the RE-INVENTION tour over a dispute with Madonna over editing out certain scenes?? Or was it because she wanted it to run uninterrupted? I can’t even remember..LOL
I’ve been hearing how almost every week she’s pissing off some European territory once the tour left the U.S., but I just hope she sticks it out, and airs the concert on NBC, AS IS, faux crucifixtion and all. I mean honestly, “LIVE TO TELL” was always my least favorite Madonna tune, no matter how she presents it. I just hope this press coverage will finally make the last single from CONFESSIONS, “JUMP” a hit on Top 40 radio. If the concert airs in November, that should push “JUMP” to be a hit amongst the slow December/end of the year/holiday timeframe!
This is Madonna we are speaking about right? After sitting through her MTV music award performances, reading “Sex: the Book” and being forced to watch “Truth or dare”, I am well aware of what a Madonna concert usually entails. Lots of oddball religious symboligy (I know it’s symbolism but Boondock Saints was on this weekend), and over the top sexuality. How could NBC expect any less?
Piss away, Madonna, piss away! More power to ya (is that very possible?! I mean without siphoning away the very life-force of the universe?!).
Heh, heh. Whitney said, “Gwar”.
I have a question. Is “Jump” actually coming out, or is this something Madonna-lovers want to happen and a couple of news reports said may happen but isn’t actually going to happen?
I feel like “Jump” should have come out already around the time “The Devil Wears Prada” opened when it was so prominently featured in the movie and its ads. Now I feel like any new Madonna single for an album that came out last year is going to be forgotten (and [stamping my feet like a 5-year-old] I want another splashy Madonna video! More dancers! More glitter! More extremely difficult yoga poses!]
Oh yeah, the cross thing. She should do it and NBC should air it but NBC won’t giving Ms. Richie another week of publicity.
CBS ended up not airing “Re-Invention” because Madonna wanted it aired in its entirety and with minimal commercial interruption.
(She never should’ve gone network; she should’ve stuck with HBO, but that’s our Madonna!)
This summer, during the press tour, NBC told Michael Ausiello of TV Guide that they would air the special this November with the “controversial” crucifixion scene in it – the special is named “Live to Tell,” after all.
I was wondering, though, what would happen to “Forbidden Love” (in which two men dance/profess their love, a performance made more “controversial” when Madonna decided they should have the Star of David and the Crescent painted on their naked torsos once “Confessions” hit Europe), “Sorry” (in which the screens show Bush and other world leaders likened to such people as Hitler), “I Love New York” (in which she says tells people that if they don’t like her attitude they can to Texas…”to [sex act] George Bush’s [sex organ].”
NBC better stick to its guns. They could use the ratings – and true Madonna fans are appreciative and loyal.
http://www.moviemartin.blogspot.com
When was anyone “forced” to read “Sex”? That’s funny.
“Jump” IS coming out next month, I believe, and will feature a new track called “History.” She’s shooting a video for “Jump” in Japan this week as she wraps up the tour.
http://www.moviemartin.blogspot.com
I really really hope the concert goes onto air the way it is intended, and NBC don’t chicken out to those losers! If they don’t, Madonna should just give it to HBO. Either way she is receiving a ton of publicity having started her tour nearly 4 months ago!! As Dave said i find some things like Fox News and O’reilly offensive and therefore don’t watch it-it is really simple. You have a choice people, get over it already!!
Madonna just keeps getting better and better! she rocks! Look out for a new song and video for “Jump”!
NBC NEEDS to air Madonna’s concert in its entirety (especially the cross scene) so people could see that it isn;t done to mock christians at all and people could shut up already about this subject. No one ever mentions in articles…that the words of matthew are printed on giant screens where he said..act more like Jesus in each and every thing you do….as facts about AIDs and orphaned children in Africa are dying…the song ‘live to tell’ is sung..and it is done in a very poignant manner. I saw the concert in NYC…and it was fine. Madonna’s show is compelling and exciting and it would be a mistake for NBC to not air this great show.
If people don;t like it…don;t watch it. Just as much as I can easily choose not to watch 80 percent of crap that hits the tv airwaves. And lastly,…Jesus wasnl;t the only person in history that was crucified…so right-winged Christians need to get over themselves and worry more about thir priests who are molesting children.
Oh,Whitney. A Gwar reference? You rock.
I hope NBC don’t cave in (if they do they will go to court!) to people who know nothing about this performance and just hate Madonna. Let the people of America decide and watch something of some substance for the first time in ages! If it creates dialogue within society or leads to at least one person making a donation to the poor, or African orphans, etc then it has done something good. If not then just enjoy it for what it is: an amazing concert from the greatest entertainer of all time.
I can’t even believe this is being debated in such a “free-thinking” country.
Wow! I just put two & two together, when Dave conncected this to Monday night’s piolt of STUDIO 60. Judd Hirsch’s character’s diatribe pretty much reflects this topic perfectly (even the SAME network) when going off about airing a skit that would inevitably upset Christians. But according to the new President, Amada Peet’s character, the skit is running NEXT WEEK. Perhaps NBC should take a page out of their OWN book, err, show.
Not forced to read “sex”, that was read at the local barnes and Noble. I was “forced” to sit through “truth or dare”, because it’s the movie the girl i liked wanted to see. Under similar duress, I’ve seen quite a few movies, but will fess up that Mean Girls and the Princess Diaries were watched on my own accord…
Glad you (sort of) cleared that out, Ep!
Now just bow down to the Queen, already, enjoy, and we’ll be fine.
http://www.moviemartin.blogspot.com
The only way that Madonna would shock me anymore would be if she just stopped trying to shock people.
Having said that, though, NBC ought to air the concert as is. Even if they disagree with the image of Madonna on the cross, not airing it will just draw even more attention to what she’s doing. People are always more interested in things they’re not supposed to see!
Jess, you know so very little of why Madonna does the things she does. Do you really think, for one moment, that she sets out to “shock” people? No, she often does things that people find “shocking” because she has more cojones than any of us combined to say what most of us are thinking. It’s no surprise that the tinfoil hat moonbats that are running this country (yes, I DO mean you nasty christo-fascists or the religious right) would find this offensive. Becuase it points out the hypocrisy of most so called christians. Christ loved/loves life and his message while on earth was to help us understand that we are all part of one universe, we are all part of the same creation and we all share responsibility for what happens to all of us, not just a select few. It’s intersting how it’s OK to use christianity to start wars, bash and kill gays, oppress other peoples but when one single individual uses it to point out the dire need of true christianity in a country devastated by war, famine and AIDS then it’s blasphemous.
Hypocrites
I agree with the numerous people that if they don’t want to watch it they can always flip to another channel. Or perhaps read a book! She isn’t attacking the church at all. If anything she is suggesting we love all man-kind. It just goes to show no matter what she does, good or bad, she will be unfairly judged by others. How Christian.
And to be honest, I prefer the Blond Ambition and “ho’s That Girl? tour performances of “Live To Tell.”
While it’s true that Jesus wasn’t the only person to be crucified (far from it) he was, to my knowledge, the only one to be crucified with a crown of thorns upon his head. So of course Madonna is imitating Christ. And of course she’s doing it to cause controversy, she is, after all, Madonna. I think that she is entitled to do whatever she wants, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t find it a bit sacrilegious.
I find it sad how willing Madonna is willing to go for a little publicity. I’m not just talking about the crucifiction thing, I’m talking about the other things she says and does in her concerts as well.
Madonna = haggard. She keeps going back to the well and pulling out her old blasphemy tricks. Ooh, how daring! What won’t she do? I’m so done with her.
If Madonna wants to turn heads then how about this: go back and make good music.
I feel that the “Live to Tell” segment should be ran for two reasons. One, it is part of the show. The other reason is that NBC knew about this from the very beginning.
It is only going to be the people that do not like Madonna that will have a problem with this.
Madonna, you are the best. I love your new look. Can’t wait for the “Jump” video to come out.
This is all so much over reaction! I went to the Madonna show this summer, and the “Live To Tell” part was very moving when you see it in the show with the visuals too. She made a very moving statement with the song. I hope NBC does show it. This is getting way too Dixie Chicks. By the way I support both Madonna and The Dixie Chicks. Strong women who make bold statements. Bravo!
sacrilegious? What exactly is sacrilegious? Using the name of the lord to cause another man harm? Is that not sacrilegious? Sacrilege can come in the form of irreverence to sacred persons, places, and things. I think there are bigger fish to fry out there than Madonna. Why not target war profiteers? After all, they’re using GOD as their guide in a war that goes against one of the ten commandments, thou shalt not kill. The same ten commandments they conjure up when damning homosexuals. If you want to discuss sacrilege, I suggest you search deep inside your heart and the very religion you deffend so well and think hard about what is worse, using God as a symbol to bring awareness or God as a tool to justify killing other men needlessly and injustly. Think about the true message of Christ and not what it’s become.
Well said Mario! Bravo! People like Marci and Jane don’t know what they’re talking about, and just say what the papers and the media (FOX) say. Use your brain girls. And have you noticed that women are always the ones that really dig into Madonna personally, with venom? that is very interesting, hmmmm…..
Come on NBC..have the guts!!!!
I just don’t care what Madonna says or does. She started to be boring and to repeat herself about ten years ago and she is only “controversial” because the press covers her every boring action that way. She is a woman with a fake British accent who lives like royalty most of the year and dreams up one offensive thing to do every year to get herself attention. She needs to stop trying to be young and start focusing on making music like the talented adult woman she is.
Say what you will, but CLEARLY MADONNA IS NOT “BORING.” So what if she is channeling Jesus. Isn’t there a little divinity within all of us? Aren’t we all “children of God,” and by proxy brothers and sisters of Jesus?
You see, most sacred religious arguments can be easily debunked with the most simple rebuttal because the institution has done such a fine job at pigeonholing itself.
So, it stands to reason that the “Live to Tell” segment – which gives the special its name no less! – should be protected not only by Madonna’s artistic and constitutional rights to present her vision in the way that she sees fit (and the audience’s right to switch the channel, change the station), but also her right to spread the good word. http://moviemartin.blogspot.com/2006/08/you-gotta-love-madonna-madonna-was.html
Now, as far as her making “good music,” Confessions on a Dance Floor may not have been the huge hit in the U.S. that it was in the rest of the world, thanks in no small part to the fact that radio is morally bankrupt – http://moviemartin.blogspot.com/2006/08/songs-that-i-like-recently-several.html – but it was a darn good record!
Side note: How short-sighted of the person who said the REIGNING Queen of Pop wasn’t making “good music” to think that because the record wasn’t smokin’ hot stateside that it wasn’t good. Have a listen, and then dare say so again. If you don’t shake your head once, then OK, have a go at dropping a deuce on it, you doof!
Finally, “She is a woman with a fake British accent who lives like royalty most of the year and dreams up one offensive thing to do every year to get herself attention.” Somehow I doubt that’s her main motivation for getting up from bed every morning. So what if her speech is easily influenced – big whoop. Have you heard the way Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake speak? How about Alicia Keys? How about the POTUS? And yes, Madonna surely lives like royalty, but she’s earned it. A lot of hard work went into it (say what you will, YOU try dancing and singing for four months straight the way she did this year). I would imagine that in a society that idolizes Paris Hilton that Madonna’s wealth would be hardly something to be found offensive.
http://www.moviemartin.blogspot.com
Miserable
Asine
Dreary
Old tired woman
Ninny
Nothing new
Annoying to most of the world
I gotta agree with Mario and Martin. Madonna may be living it up now, but it took her a lot of hard work to get there. From what I heard, her dad left her on the streets, and she said “I am going to make it”. Dude, rags to riches and she did it her own way. For all her faults, Madonna has always been herself. I may not always like her latest track, but it’d be a shame to deny that this strong woman has influenced a lot of today’s pop artists.
And I’d like to reiterate my original point. Madonna has been famous since what, 1983? In all that time, her live performances and videos have always pushed the envelope. Were her “Like a prayer” video where she wears a slip in church or “Justify my love” videos somehow more offensive? Anyone who agrees to air a Madonna concert has to know that her show isn’t going to be all tea and cookies, so why say she’ll be allowed to present her show then take it back? she’s an artist, and provided her work doesn’t earn NBC a fine from the FCC, she’s got every right to say whatever she wants.
I too watched the show in NYC this summer. Before the crucifix scene, 3 of her dancers came out and talked about how they changed their lives after suffering abuse, rejection and gang banging, to do something positive and get out of their situations. Then, the cross rises from the floor with Madonna wearing a crown of thorns. Click on the link from Youtube and watch for yourselves. It’s not meant to be disrespectful. Jesus said if you feed the hungry, clothe the naked, if you do this for even the least of my children, you are doing it to me. You are Christ like when you go out and do the work of Christ. The whole performance of this song, in my opinion, is to challenge people to do something about the world we live in. We should help the less fortunate, we should help to make changes for people who cannot help themselves. The performance does not mock God, and it does not downplay the great gift that was given at Calvary. It is a truly beautiful performance and I hope NBC runs it.
Hats off to all Madonna fans. I am sad that the “Confessions” tour is wrapping up. I wish she would do an extended tour stop here in the U.S., but I am out of vacation time anyways. Hopefully NBC won’t screw this up.