ABC Drops (Racist) Show After Complaints by Civil Rights Groups (NYT)

[Up2Late]

(God, What idiot thought this was a good idea for a T.V. Show?!?)

ABC Drops Show After Complaints by Civil Rights Groups

By FELICIA R. LEE
Published: June 30, 2005

Under pressure from civil rights groups, ABC Television yesterday canceled plans to broadcast a reality show that let the white suburban families living on a Texas cul-de-sac decide which of seven families - including one black, one Asian, one Hispanic and one gay couple - would move into their community.

The show, "Welcome to the Neighborhood," was to be a summer replacement for the top-rated "Desperate Housewives," which is set on a fictional cul-de-sac, Wisteria Lane, where no one can keep her nose out of anyone else's business. The one-hour reality show, developed by MGM and the producers behind such shows as "Extreme Makeover" and "The Road to Stardom With Missy Elliot," was to have begun a six-episode run on July 10 at 9 p.m.

In the shows - all of them have been completed - seven diverse families seek votes from three white families in a development called Circle C Ranch, outside Austin. The white families, through a series of interviews, competitions and social interactions, award a 3,300-square-foot, four-bedroom, 2½-bathroom home to the winner - a neighbor, the families say, who will fit in with the community's mostly Christian and Republican values.

Critics of "Welcome to the Neighborhood," which ABC had promoted heavily, said it violated the letter and certainly the spirit of fair housing laws by allowing factors like religion to be a consideration in awarding the house. A statement released by ABC yesterday said that the intention was to show "the transformative process that takes place when people are forced to confront preconceived notions of what makes a good neighbor, and we believe the series delivers exactly that."

<http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/30/business/media/30abc.html?ex=1277784000&en=46088b23d39fcf66&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss>
(more at link above)

[Blasphemer]

1. I saw one ad for this show...

and I couldn't even figure out what the premise was from the ad. I thought it was something like the Odd Couple with entire familes - they showed what appeared to be a disagreement between a member of a Conservative Repub family and a member of a Liberal Dem family. It seemed to be more about political differences than anything else. Now that I know the actual premise - I am completely repulsed. I swore off ABC reality TV after having made the mistake of watching an episode of Wife Swap with a Lesbian couple and a Conservative Republican Interracial couple - it was loathesome. I'm sure this show would have included much of the same type of bigoted commentary.

[renaissanceguy]

28. How was that episode loathesome?

It did what most people need to do: walk in the other person's shoes for a day. It forces much needed dialogue.

[dryan]

50. I did some research...

about that episode. Chris Gillespie the black woman in the Republican couple, ran for President-Elect of the Texas Republican Women's Club. She was defeated. Chris is married to Ed Gillespie's brother and she wants to run for office in Texas-God help us!

[sakabatou]

52. Though, an "Odd-Couple" show with entire families might be good.

[AllyCat]

2. Sounds like a real winner, ABC!

Can't understand why anyone is upset...it's just like real life.

[geek tragedy]

3. Whose idea was this, Karl Rove's? What a horrible idea. nt

[bling bling]

4. Why did it take Civil Rights groups to get this dropped?

The fact that the folks at ABC thought it was a good idea at the time tells me that we need to be VERY scared of the folks running ABC. What the hell kind of people are they?

[Gormy Cuss]

43. Exactly. n/t

[autorank]

5. The fact that they would even consider this is amazing. What idiots!

And they wonder why we're turning them off in droves.

I'd love to be the CEO for a day. I would have so much fun firing every one in the decision making process.

E Gads!

[ConfuZed]

6. (GROW UP!)

People are being prevented from seeing the truth in america they are not being allowed to choose what they want to see we're being fucked again.

[shraby]

7. You actually think people want to see

the bigotry in action? I can't imagine why you'd think that.

[ConfuZed]

9. They face it every day why not on TV?

...unless you believe racism only exists on TV :)

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

27. Can't wait for the first episode...

of "Who Wants to Rape and Murder my 13-Year-Old Daughter"

I mean, it happens everyday, so why not on TV?

[redqueen]

57. Thanks for the shot of sanity... fodder for an investigative news show?

Certainly.

Fodder for some 'hahaha isn't this so funny' crap sitcom? Um, no.

It's shocking that anyone here would consider this acceptable.

[Kilroy003]

64. I would consider it acceptable and educational.

I think it is possible for this show to open people's eyes to the hatred and bigotry espoused by white conservative christians. Imagine how silly the haughty white conservative patriarch must come across when he realizes his badly preconceived notions of who would make a good neighbor or a bad neighbor are outmoded, illegitimate and simply bigoted in many cases. What's shocking to me is that civil rights organizations would want to put a lid on a show that could potentially provide viewers with valuable lessons concerning acceptance of others.

And besides, nobody is forcing anyone else to watch it.

[SemperEadem]

69. it shouldn't take the promise of a reality show for them to

open up a can of 'act-right' in the first place, unless they practice that brand of kkkristianity that was so prevalent 100 years ago in their area.

To put this grave of a message in the format of a bullshit, throw-away pick-up series for the second half of the summer viewing season strips it of its seriousness. It's not a message to entertain for 52 minutes and then be dismissed like the messages from countless other forgettable 'reality' shows.

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/housing/title8.htm
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents of legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability).

Fair housing is an important right in ths United States and religion should play no part in judging who is fit to own a home. If they can pay their mortgage and keep their property clean, then that's the end of the argument.

[geckosfeet]

95. Any show where the "winner" gets to live on the same street as the

the white guys has some serious plot flaws not to mention cultural and social perversity.

[ConfuZed]

75. Don't compare racisn and bigotry to that perverted filth you just spewed

Edit: This comment is for Jeff In Milwaukee

The point is it happens everyday just because it doesnt happen to you doesnt mean it happens I've been a victim and believe me the law doesnt mean crap in these cases because they are very hard to prove but I'm going off topic a little when other people get to decide what myself and anyone else should or shouldnt watch because of their personal opinions we're entering dangerous grounds, if we're going be at the whim someone elses opinions we might as well shut down every white power organization (which I have no problem althought the ACLU might), prevent tom cruise and bill cosby from speaking on TV or dare I say shut down Democratic Underground because there is a hell of alot of people who disagree with us.

[Up2Late]

92. You are ConfuZed, for sure.

You wrote:

"People are being prevented from seeing the truth in america they are not being allowed to choose what they want to see we're being fucked again."

I don't know if you really feel this way or if you are just saying that to try to start trouble, but either way, it was a stupid thing to say and shows a complete lack of understanding out what we in the South have been dealing with for the last 20-50 year.

I never trust anyone who doesn't have the guts to put some basic information into their user profile and yet freely makes inflammatory statements like you have been here. If you want any of you comments to be treated with any respect, you should return the courtesy so that at least we have some idea who we are dealing with. From your comments and phone number area code, I am left to assume you are a RW Troll in Washington D.C., who's here trolling for for a fight.

I don't know where you got your twisted ideas about America (that's with a capital "A," thank you very much), but the Racist premise portrayed, glorified and legitimized by this stupid so-called "reality Show" is about as far from 2005 reality that you can get. Over the last 20 years, here in Georgia, we have worked very hard to eliminate this type of housing discrimination, and the idea that this type of "Jim Crow" thinking is socially acceptable in today's South.

This type of show not only says to the audience that this type of racial and social discrimination is acceptable and normal in Austin, Texas, and by association All of the South, but that Class and Racist discrimination is FUN and a Game, and it's "No big Deal," or "it's just how it done here in the South," "It happens all the time."

As they like to say in Washington D.C., "It's a slippery slope from there," What's next?.

I know, how about a show called "Who gets to live in our White Southern town?" And when they vote out the Black, Mexican, and Irish Catholic families, they just burn a cross on the front yard of the house they want to buy.

I don't know why anyone would WANT to WIN a contest like this. I wouldn't want to live in the same neighborhood and people who found this type of contest acceptable.

Man, get a clue. :mad:

[ConfuZed]

93. You have to turn to insults to force your point....

Its just Simply Pathetic and you just ignored almost everything that I've said, if you dropped the ego and actually read my comments you would learn 2 out of 3 things about me and my opinions 1. I've been a victim of racism when it comes to renting 2. I'm black 3. People you like shouldnt get to decide what I get to decide and its a shame ABC cowered to the pressure (if you can call it that).

By the way I don't expect you to "trust" me hell you don't even have to read what I say but please if you are going to malign me make sure to stick to the facts.

[Up2Late]

99. I read what you wrote, their is not much their to read

You wrote:

They face it every day why not on TV?
...unless you believe racism only exists on TV

Don't compare racisn and bigotry to that perverted filth you just spewed
Edit: This comment is for Jeff In Milwaukee

The point is it happens everyday just because it doesnt happen to you doesnt mean it happens I've been a victim and believe me the law doesnt mean crap in these cases because they are very hard to prove but I'm going off topic a little when other people get to decide what myself and anyone else should or shouldnt watch because of their personal opinions we're entering dangerous grounds, if we're going be at the whim someone elses opinions we might as well shut down every white power organization (which I have no problem althought the ACLU might), prevent tom cruise and bill cosby from speaking on TV or dare I say shut down Democratic Underground because there is a hell of alot of people who disagree with us.

Ah good point :)

What am I supposed to get from all that? The first thing you wrote sounded very racist by saying "They face," Then you write this big, angry paragraph, but it has almost no punctuation, which makes what you wrote almost imposable to read. Depending on how you punctuate it, it could be read in about a dozen ways.

Just by hitting the Spell check, it would have fixed most of that. I'm a terrible speller myself, an I've learned to except that, so I use the spell check. It's one of the best features here.

If anyone's not reading the others post, it's you. I didn't insult you, I said I don't trust you or your motives, because by what you write and your lack of any personal info, you show that you don't trust or respect any of us. Hell, that phone number isn't even real, it forward to another number that you can't understand what it says.

I don't know why I even bother with disruptor's like you, it's just a big game to you and a waste of my time.:eyes:

[ConfuZed]

104. Sure you did

Re: I didn't insult you

Actually you keep doing it but I'm not going to lower myself to your level and call you a liar :sarcasm:

Re: I said I don't trust you or your motives,

AGAIN I care if you trust me get over it

Re: because by what you write

So disagree with me without going on an ego trip

Re: and your lack of any personal info

HAHAHA what does that have to do with topic NO ONE CARES only YOU I'm not going to give ANYONE my personal info and I have all rights to do so if you don't trust me don't read my messages.

Re: Hell, that phone number isn't even real, it forward to another number that you can't understand what it says.

Oh Its real and it isnt being forwarded just shows how much you know but we're getting way offtopic, I'm not going to continue to argue with you but if you continue to malign me I will report to an admin because your immature bully-like stance against users that you disagree with should not be permitted on DU.

[geckosfeet]

96. The FCC does regulate what you see. IMHO this show crossed a line.

[ConfuZed]

98. Show me one FCC rule that prohibits this show from airing

[geckosfeet]

100. There is no FCC rule that prohibits this from airing. Thats not what

I meant.

I simply meant, that the FCC already regulates what you see and hear. On paper anyway. No titties or any of the 7 dirty words or any of that stuff allowed. No no. Spank spank. Keeping bigoted programming off the air does not seem to be their concern though.

Is this some programming that you would enjoy? Or are you simply advocating free speech?

[ConfuZed]

105. Okay I understand your point...

To answer your last question I didnt enjoy nightline with Bill Cosby but he has all rights to have his views aired so yes I'm advocating in favor of free speech.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

24. When you refer to "we", what exactly do you mean?

[geckosfeet]

32. Choosing to see what ! Hate, fear and discrimination being legitimized !

I truly hope your post was made in sarcastic mode.

[alfredo]

42. My impression was they were playing the

"you can't judge a book by looking at the cover" theme. What if at the end they selected the black couple, or the gay couple? What if the wasp family had a real change of heart during the season. We won't know now because the show was 86'd.

[geckosfeet]

54. Does it make any 'effin difference WHO they select ?!?!

The real issue is that a family, or group of families, can determine who is "good enough" to live in their neighborhood. The whole thing stinks of race and religious supremacist tendencies and is another stone in the path relgious discrimination, genetic discrimination and genocide.

Its once thing to have a private gated community that has explicitly stated its preferred discriminatory, racial and religious goals. Its quite another to have a public street being dominated and controlled by local "bosses" working to enforce the idealogical aims of say,,, the theocons.

[alfredo]

66. It's just a TV show, not public policy. I am sure everyone involved

knew the score. It is not endorsing local "bosses" it is just acting out a "what if" scenario. It is a test of this one families humanity, it is holding up a mirror to us, not an endorsement of prejudice.

[geckosfeet]

79. But it IS an endorsement of prejudice. It is covered with the fig leaf

of entertainment vis a vis Bill O'Liely and the Murdoch ilk. Its not open discrimination, its wink and a nod discrimination. Its institutionalized and culturally tolerable discrimination. Its discrimination with a happy face instead of the ugly one that is its true self.

But its still discrimination. Are you saying that because its entertainment, and we get to watch some people being humiliated and others high fivin and hoohahing themselves after they get selected that its ok?.

I suppose that I'd be happy too if I was given a house. I better get something for whoring myself like that. But thats besides the point.

The show seems to be about how we accept or do not accept our prejudices as a culture, not about open discrimination of any one group. How do we rationalize our discriminatory decisions and behaviors? Does that make it educational, instructive or useful for advancing human rights and overcoming personal prejudices? I suppose that would depend entirely on how the MSM presented the show.

Unfortunately he MSM lost me a long long time ago. Their motivations are questionable at best. It will take and awful lot for them to earn my trust.

[alfredo]

86. Have you seen the show? I remember them saying the same

thing about All In The Family. A lot of bad things were said about "The Last Temptation of Christ" by people latter admitted they never read the book or watched the movie.

I would like to have the opportunity to decide for myself whether it is racist or a back door way of bringing up the issue of prejudice in America. I don't have much hope that it will be worthy, but I want to be able to decide for myself.

[geckosfeet]

89. You will be deciding exactly what the networks want you to decide.

You sound as if you think you actually have a choice. You see what the MSM wants you to see. THEY ARE RUBBER STAMPING BIGOTRY! My view of MSM and network television is extremely low. They have far to go before I trust them with the little time that is my life.

I have watched All in The Family. It was a well produced series with career entertainers but I often found it extremely offensive even though I knew that the message was bigotry is idiotic and irrational. I am sure many gay people, women, and people of color found offense at times as well.

I find MSM television to be mass produced and consumed goop that is filled with titillation, instant gratification and self important shock value. It masquerades as something that its not. It pretends to add value to our lives, but I find it a placating illusion. Some people enjoy it. I used to watch television and can see how it would be an enjoyable past time.

You can talk all you want about making your own judgment. Frankly, I could have cared less whether this aired or not. Its the legitimizing and endorsing of discrimination for entertainment value that I object to. I would not have watched it in any event but I can see how some might find some enjoyment from it.

Have fun watching television. Maybe it will come back as something else next season.

[alfredo]

90. I watch very little TV. I also have little or no faith in them doing

the right thing. I am just not willing to condemn a show without seeing it.


How do you know they are rubber stamping bigotry? Have you watched the series?

[geckosfeet]

94. No I have not watched it and would never watch it. But I did read this

in the lead post in this thread:

"In the shows - all of them have been completed - seven diverse families seek votes from three white families in a development called Circle C Ranch, outside Austin. The white families, through a series of interviews, competitions and social interactions, award a 3,300-square-foot, four-bedroom, 2½-bathroom home to the winner - a neighbor, the families say, who will fit in with the community's mostly Christian and Republican values."

The "winner" gets to live with the white guys.

If anyone can put a happy face on this, it would have to be the MSM.

edit for language: dammit.

[alfredo]

101. We don't know the outcomes, we don't know what

growth and insight the three families gain from their exposure to a diverse group of people. We just don't know. If the residents are racist assholes, it will come through. If their fixed ideas are shaken to the core, it will come through.

[geckosfeet]

102. We just don't know. But if we watch,,, the light will come.

[alfredo]

103. I probably wouldn't watch it anyway. Reality shows bore me stiff.

Still I hold out hope that the American public will be offered something of value.

[ekelly]

91. It is not just a TV show.....

It's bad taste. Period.

Not to mention, ILLEGAL!

I dare you to try to deny someone buying YOUR house based on their race, religion or anything other than what Fair Housing laws allow.

(of course I hope you would never attempt such a thing. That would be despicable.)

[pokercat999]

106. And the whole premise of the show is against the

fair housing act of 1866!

You may not discriminate by race even if you are selling your own property without a realtor!

The network has setup a show that is illegal, that has people committing unlawful acts for christ's sake.

And no it is not "one thing" to have a gated community that has explicitly stated it's preferred discriminatory racial and religious goals, that in it's self would be illegal. If you know of any such "gated" communities please report them to the real estate board in your state or the federal authorities. Now they can of course limit the property to the type or size of structure and maybe keep out poor people but not by race or religion.

[sonicx]

8. Bigot Idol?

"We pick the Chan Family. They're good, nice people and aren't loud and like the Johnsons and the Lopezes."

[Swamp Rat]

10. ABC folks are not only bigots but fucking psychos too.

:puke:

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

11. Hey, rat... long time... I see you are in the green phase

still.

Love it, keep up the good work.

[Swamp Rat]

13. It's these damn sunglasses! I put 'em on and I can see THEM

THEY are green.... not much I can do 'bout dat. :hi:

[Up2Late]

15. Hey, I like that one

The yellow eyes and the teeth are a nice touch! Aahrrgg, Brains! Must eat brains!

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

12. Sounds like reality to me

I thought people wanted TV to be "real"

Of course, I would have no idea, not watching any of it.

TV, that is. Not life.

[jayctravis]

14. I actually saw a promo commercial for this.

Although I didn't quite get the premise at the time.

I'm sure their *intention* is to (like all reality shows) throw a mix of people together and watch them fight and eventually resolve their differences. It looked like conservative families being forced to face cultural and sexual differences in other people. Interesting idea in theory. I didn't realize that all the resident families were white and they would actually be deciding on someone to live there. I thought perhaps it was just a "let's put these groups together on the block and see what happens".

If they retool the show, they should just make it like a reality show with families. Move them into adjoining houses on a street and let them vote people out like in every other reality show. It shouldn't be a competition for a house because it does kind of run up against housing regulations.

[gorbal]

16. sounds sorta like "30days"

In "30 Days" they have people thrown into unlikelysituations, like a Muslim with a Christian family. The difference, of course, is that you don't have anyone being voted off.

[jayctravis]

33. 30 Days is a new show, by the guy who did "Super Size Me"

He was just on the Daily Show. He seems to be willing to put himself through interesting situations, and now he has that show.

[iamjoy]

60. 30 Days Tries Not To Exploit Anyone

I mean, it isn't a game show or contest.
I have seen the first two episodes and I truly believe Spurlock's intentions.

Of course, these two were fairly mild as far as ethnic groups, etc. I have yet to see how he handles the Muslim episode or the Gay Lifestyle* episode.


* "gay lifestyle" not meant as insult here, I understand people are born with their sexual orientation, but believe there is still a difference between being openly homosexual and immersing oneself in a culture commonly associated with homosexuals

[K-W]

80. But at no point is a prize awarded based on race and religion. EOM

[northzax]

56. I was actually looking forward to it

because I am certain that ABC was going to paint the racists as just that: racists. yes, it's humiliating, but it's reality tv, of course it's humilitating, but anything that blurs the sharply drawn lines so many of us draw around ourselves can't be bad.

I hadn't thought of the Fair Housing Act implications, though, that is a good point.

[Piperay]

87. I agree, that's what I thought too

and I thought that they dropped the show because the fundies complained cause they were the one's who came off looking like idiots. :shrug:

[derbstyron]

17. This certainly is near the top of the list of ideas in bad taste.

:puke:

[truthisfreedom]

18. ALL reality shows suck. this one just sucked more than usual.

reality shows are just cheap to make, which is why networks love them. and people love to relish other people's misery, don't they?

[Skittles]

21. THANK YOU

they are terribly degrading and more disturbing to me than the people who participate in such trash are the people who watch such utter garbage and find it entertaining. STOP IT PEOPLE.

[Plaid Adder]

38. I think they should be classified as psychological experiments

and forced to conform to the same rules regarding the treatment of human subjects. That would probably choke off the flow.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[Bombero1956]

85. all reality shows have the same basic premise

What am I willing to do to a fellow human being for money, to what level am I willing to debase myself for the almighty dollar, eat a bug, eat an animals testicles or penis? I guess that's what Americans are all about, screw your fellow man and woman for a few bucks and why not, your president is screwing you, why shouldn't you get in on the gravy. Pathetic and sad.

[aaronnyc]

19. The idea was not to make a "racist" show

The premise of the show was that it would start with some racist white family saying how they hated blacks, hispanics, gays etc..., and didn't want them living in their neighborhood. Of course, once the racist white family spends sometime with these minority groups as their neighbors, they realize the error of their ways, and become nice tolerant people.

Personally, my problem with the show was that I thought it looked cheesy as hell (and I generally can't stand reality tv). Not that it was racist; the message of the show, was in fact, anti-racist.

[dissent1977]

73. But why would they give the racists the power to vote...

to decide who can and can't live in their neighborhood? That seems like a very racist premise to me.

[Old sixties guy]

84. The whole charade is rife

With racist elitism.Wasn't there something called a Fair Housing Act enacted long ago?What gives a bunch of rich white people the right to exclude ANYONE who can pay the mortgage from living in their area?
Total bullshit.ABC execs are twisted.

[Roland99]

20. So much for the sequel, "Welcome to the 'Hood"

But, I'm not surprised that squeaky-clean Disney would promote a show like this.

[liveoaktx]

22. The developer, Streetman construction, had to be in on it, too

Since they owned the homes.

[Trailrider1951]

23. Yeah, do you believe this? It's for real. My daughter and

her family were interviewed for this show, but not among those chosen. I guess they weren't considered "wierd" enough by the producers. Besides, they like the house they have just fine.

http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procsserv/F-EMWbVw1ZtWG34hGtU-8-

[fortyfeetunder]

25. This was illegal

Didn't these SOB's realize there is a fair housing act that prohibits discrimination in housing transactions? This was such a transaction.

[losdiablosgato]

36. No it was not illegal

In poor taste yes, illegal no. They were not selling the house, they were giving the house to a family.

[DemBeans]

47. read further into the article:

"Some alliance members contended that even though the families willingly entered the competition and were seeking to win a house rather than purchase it, the law stipulates that characteristics like race or religion cannot be considered, even in giving away property."

[losdiablosgato]

74. Maybe, but I would love to see the contracts they signed

[livinginphotographs]

26. I have just one thing to say.

:wtf:

What's frightening is that not just one person thought this was a good idea, but that A LOT of people thought this was a good idea.

[Up2Late]

63. Exactly, I can't believe all the people defending this Stupid Show.

Some of these people haven't got a clue as to why this is bad.

[Catchawave]

29. Is this the same network that brought us .....

"The Swan" ? euwwwwwwww, just when I thought they couldn't go lower.

[Miss Chybil]

30. The previews were appalling. I could see the supposed transformation,

but the process was sick. You can't pick your neighbors in this country. The show was a disgrace.

[geckosfeet]

31. More language, "transformative process" hijacked by theocons and MSM.

<snip ...>
"the transformative process that takes place when people are forced to confront preconceived notions of what makes a good neighbor"
<... snip>

In my mind this particular usage is a bit ambiguous, but in general the technique is used by fundies and theocons to euphemistically reference distasteful ideas, hate, and just plain ugliness.

These methods verge on psych-op methods of brainwashing. Indeed, that the theocons have purposefully evolved speech population control methods is not in dispute. The theocon usage of the word "liberal" is a prime example. The theocons readily acknowledge the need to obfuscate their true motives and goals, in language.

Specifically, I typically view transformative processes as a good and positive thing. A kind of evolution of thought and understanding to a presumably higher level. I take the usage above to mean that I, or someone else comes to adopt and emulate a mode of group think, behavior etc. that had previously been not part of my repertoire.

To say the least, the effective penetration of these theocon population control techniques is disturbing. They have developed systematic methods of framing coercive and manipulative behaviors as positive and socially acceptable. These methods stifle critical thinking, free speech and introspection while they promote blind allegiance and group hysterias.

These people really suck.

[Plaid Adder]

34. Circle C!! God, I remember Circle C...or, as I liked to call it...

CIRCLE OF THE DAMNED!

I used to live in Austin. Circle C was the scariest planned community I had ever encountered.

This development is "outside" Austin so that their residents won't have to pay city taxes to fund everyone else's utilities. I used to have to go in there sometimes to go to someone's house party and it was CREEPY! All these big houses on lots that aren't really big enough for them and these windy streets that just branch on and on forever and street numbers that are five digits long...and no matter what kind of directions anyone gives you you always get lost trying to find the house. One time I was in a car with a bunch of other students at night trying to get to the house where the party was and we realized we were completely lost and it was like some kind of thing they would put you through in Hell, where you keep driving and driving but you never get anywhere. Finally we realized we were going to have to stop and ask one of the residents for directions. I took a deep breath, and said what everyone else was thinking:

"Why not? We're white."

Because if we hadn't been, you KNOW someone would have already called the cops on us. It just had that kind of a feel.

It's bad enough a place like Circle C exists. But to validate this circle-the-wagons no-proles-please excuse-me-your-dark-skin-is-depressing-my-property-values neo-segregationist approach to development with a reality show like that is...is...CHRIST ON A TRAILER HITCH!

Actually, you know, I SAW Christ on a trailer hitch on my way to work the other day. The cops had pulled over a guy who was driving a truck with a trailer which had a 5-foot crucifix erected on the back. No doubt the cop was explaining to him that if he was going to carry it standing up that way he would need some kind of flag.

What a crazy place this is,

The Plaid Adder

[supernova]

44. Thanks for the inside info, PA

I've seen places like this and I decided very early I didn't want to live in one. Too insular with the people and too cookie-cutter in the housing design. Plus all the rediculous rules you have to live by to live there.

As for this show, I don't watch reality TV anyway. It just reafirms my believe that this stuff is degrading to the people who participate.

As for the concept, I think Morgan Spurlock is doing a much better job on 30 Days over on FX.

[losdiablosgato]

35. How is this differnet from what goes on in NYC with condo boards

This show was stupid, how did these losers not figure out this was going to piss a whole lot of people off? But this thing does not just happen in TX or the suburbs. In NYC condo borads decide whether of not you get to buy into their building. It happens all the time, this one was just in the open.

But I do have one question, who got the free house?

[redqueen]

59. Good question...

I'd be curious to know the answer to that.

[Julius Civitatus]

37. ABC/Disney is quickly becoming the WORST television network

They have demonstrated time and time again that they are utterly servile to the Bush administration, and have fought hard to out-fox Fox News.

F*ck ABC and f*ck Mickey Mouse!

This show is so Anglo-centric, so perpetuating the idea that this is the "white man's land" and the rest need to beg for their place it is REVOLTING!

REVOLTING!

:puke:

[UpInArms]

39. memory prodded - Circle C Ranch - Austin, Texas - 80's scandal

http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2002-10-11/pols_feature.html

excerpt:

Beyond that issue, an equally formidable challenge would arise if the FDIC moves to object to the debt dismissal to recoup some of taxpayers' money. The feds would have to produce evidence that Bradley committed fraud in connection with $100 million in loans that he and partner James Gressett secured from Gibraltar Savings Association in 1985 to develop the Circle C Ranch -- Bradley's most visible imprint on Austin. The institution that succeeded Gibraltar after its collapse in the S&L crisis tried a similar strategy when Gressett filed for bankruptcy in 1994 (see "Gibraltar v. Bradley," p.26).

Despite widespread speculation that Lazarus serves as a safe house for Bradley's assets, there is thus far no hard evidence. The speculation is understandable; the trust, its entities, and other Bradley-affiliated businesses all bear the same address as the developer's office -- 1111 W. 11th -- where a 132-year-old turreted structure perches atop a hill in regal splendor. Originally built for the Texas Military Institute, to Bradley and his associates it is simply "the Castle." Though some observers suspect that Bradley controls the trust and its many tentacles -- and Bradley's name inevitably appears prominently in news reports on the various projects supposedly underwritten by the trust -- his name does not appear as legal owner of any of the trust's assets.

...more at link...

[Plaid Adder]

40. This brings up something the NYT article doesn't stress

which is that Circle C is not just a development for "conservative Christians". It is an upper-class enclave dedicated to a) keeping out the riff-raff and b) never having to pay taxes to support the riff-raff they're keeping out. Somehow the economic term always drops out of this equation. This show isn't just validating racism, it's validating economic segregation and aggressive privatization.

:still mad:

The Plaid Adder

[UpInArms]

41. when were you in Austin?

I left in 92

:still mad:

:toast:

[DemBeans]

45. this is so offensive

What strikes me about the theme of this show is that it fosters the notion that white people are somehow empowered to pick and choose who they deem "acceptable" in our society, and who can be "rejected". This is a dangerous message.

"In the first two episodes, some members of the voting families are seen making disparaging remarks about the gay family (two white men with a black child), questioning whether a Korean family was foreign-born and rejecting a white family who practiced Wicca, a pagan religion. One family was to be rejected each week until the last remaining family won the house."

Yes, spread the word that these white Christians can disparage and "reject" whole groups of people. It's sick.

[caspar]

49. right on

This is exactly what disturbs me most about the show--the premise that white people are the "normal" people, and everyone else is "exotic."

[MidwestTransplant]

46. Maybe Fox will pick it up now.

[natrat]

48. prime time baby

[dryan]

51. Do the Gillespies live...

in Cirlce C? They are the mixed race couple that appeared in "Wife Swap" several months ago.

[Up2Late]

78. It 'll probably end up on PAX or Trinity Broadcasting...

...one of those RW Christian Channels where the audience see this sort of thing as "Normal."

[dchill]

53. ABC was just "testing the water"

to see if it was safe to go back to the "good old days" yet.

[Octafish]

83. Bingo.

[brentspeak]

55. Between TV reality shows and remakes of motion pictures

There is no talent currently working in Hollywood.

[Orion The Hunter]

58. Sigh....

Shos like Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer go off the air, and yet such "quality" entertainment like reality TV lives on.... Are you kidding me?!

This show sounds like an awful idea! Nothing like giving free license to some white folks who feel entitled to decide who is good enough to live in their neighborhood.

Maybe the show will make a comeback, where the audience instead decides who should get voted off (including the original voting white families)...?

[Up2Late]

70. Exactly, well said.

Welcome to DU "Orion The Hunter" :toast:

[Up2Late]

68. I agree, the problem is these greedy Corporate executive are

taking over the show development process, focusing on the bottom line instead of quality.

And so-called "Reality Shows" are cheaper because they claim these shows are "Un-scripted," they're not.

Former "Reality Show" writers say that they are working longer hours and without any of the protections, benefits, and especially the Pay rates of the Screen Writers Union.

You can't create a coherent T.V. Show without a script.

[SemperEadem]

72. Truer words have never been spoken

there is not one new idea in Hollywood.

[Don_1967]

61. I saw a prmo for this show

could not beleave ABC or any network would even consider a show like this.

[Tweed]

62. Clearly the Asian couple would have won anyway

Duh!

[Orion The Hunter]

65. RE: A goodie

My favorite line from the article:

<<Before ABC announced its decision, the Family Research Council said it was worried evangelicals would be made to appear judgmental and foolish.>>

Yeah..because you know all of those comments being made in the Press by the Family Research Council make evangelicals looks tolerant and open-minded....

[MissB]

67. snark

:rofl:

[NashVegas]

71. You Don't Make Friends By Holding Up a Mirror To Society

Personally, I think this series idea is so reality-based that it's a scream.

[K-W]

81. Mirror? Documentaries are mirrors.

This is a funhouse mirror that takes a real problem and introduces it into a rediculous gameshow. This is not a fair housing documentary.

[Blue_Tires]

76. couldn't ABC just show some

"All in the Family" reruns and be done with it? lol

[ConfuZed]

77. Ah good point :)

[6000eliot]

82. You just know that the original working title had to be

"There Goes the Neighborhood." My jaw dropped when I first saw the commercial for this show. Reality TV is usually offensive, but this one has to be right down there with "The Swan" battling for the gutter. I don't watch reality TV, but whenever I see a commercial, my stomach turns.

[Piperay]

88. I thought it sounded interesting and

anyway I heard it was the Evangelicals than came off so bad and looked like idiots. I heard it was the fundies that wanted the show off the air. Anyway, looks like once again a network has no backbone and knuckles under pressure from the RW fundies.

[markus]

97. Who heard the commentary on NPR today about this show?

Was it wrong to block it? A show about forcing a bunch of White Christian Conservatives to confront their own prejudices?

Would this have been a bad thing?