Anybody here planning to watch "Big Love" -- a comedy about

[Radio_Lady]

polygamy -- on HBO tonight? It's premiering after "The Sopranos" with Bill Paxton playing the Utahn polygamist with three wives and (I think) seven children.

[devilgrrl]

1. I'm kinda not interested in watching it...

why? I don't know. :shrug:

Sorry.

[Missy Vixen]

2. We saw it, Radio Lady

DH used to work for a company that most of the managers were LDS. We were both imagining the number and ferocity of e-mails and phone calls that'll be greeting HBO's executive staff in the morning from those upset about the potrayal of polygamy.

I thought the show was pretty good, and sure offered some conversational fodder at our house! I was teasing DH about how much fun three wives with PMS might be ;-).

Julie

[Radio_Lady]

3. Yes, we had a couple of laughs, too. Do you think this show will be any

kind of a hit?

I have a son and daughter-in-law, both LDS, and "sealed for eternity," living in Utah.

They're just normal kids, and they have two sons, our grandkids.

We're taking them all to Disneyworld in Orlando, next January, if our plans work out right.

Nobody ever discusses religion when we're with them.

Here are some reviews from Metacritic -- generally favorable reviews (72 out of 100 scale).

http://www.metacritic.com/tv/shows/biglove

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[LynneSin]

4. I enjoyed it but wasn't sure why the Polygamy part had to be in it

Only because there was a bit of fundie attitude with guns & sex that would have made for a great TV show.

Having said that, it was still a great show and has some great potential. THe show got rave reviews from all the critics so hopefully it'll be a hit.

[China_cat]

5. I don't get HBO

but the premise of that show really disturbs me. The facts of polygamy are so far from comedic that I just want to yell at the tv. From the subjugation and exploitation of women, the abuse of girls (sexual and incestual) and the damage done to the young men who are thrown out of their communities as they come of age because they become rivals for the available females...the reality is just plain sickening.

[tjdee]

6. Yeah seriously, I find myself disliking Bill Paxton already.

Maybe I should watch it, because I have a lot of preconceived notions that perhaps as a liberal I shouldn't have. I realize some are polygamous and like it....but the entire idea of one man shacking up with three doting women seems very damaging and very man-slanted. I saw just the opening credits, and I wanted to pop Bill Paxton, who is probably a nice guy. I don't see the funny in that, at all. So maybe I should watch it and lighten up?

I do see the *drama* aspect of it, and why it would be compelling both as work and as a show idea. Jeanne Tripplehorn and Chloe Sevigny are both strong actresses... but still. It bugs me.

[Reverend_Smitty]

7. It was an interesting premise for a show...

the Paxton character seems torn between two worlds, the modern world and the one of his strange separatist cult parents. I think the show has potential, if you really want to see creepy...the guy who is in charge of the "cult" compound played by Harry Dean Stanton is REALLY creepy!

[Radio_Lady]

8. Harry Dean Stanton was definitely TYPE cast! I'm not sure I will

watch this program, mostly because it comes on at 10 PM on a Sunday night! I have no patience with recording the show -- I usually don't watch them when I tape them, anyway.

[LynneSin]

10. I'll tell you who creeped me out - that girl that plays Stanton's wife

She's only like 14 years old and already married to Roman Prophet (leader of the clan, father of Bill's second wife and played by Harry Dean Stanton).

BTW, that girl is the same one who played the creepy girl in the two american version of the Ring

[dr.strangelove]

9. Well, its not a comedy

HBO has carved a niche for itself with thought provoking dramas on Sunday nights. They run the Sex in the City/Arliss/Entourage comedies, but they also run the Carnivale/Deadwood/Rome/Sopranos dramas. The drams show such controversial topics as religion, prostitution, murder, drugs use and trade, incest and sexual abuse. These topics are far from funny. Some are period dramas, some are current dramas. All of the shows I listed are good television in my mind. I believe Big Love falls into this latter category, not the comedy category.

I agree that there is nothing comedic about polygamy. But there is also nothing comedic about the mafia. These shows are meant to provoke discussions at the so called watercooler. They get people to subscribe to HBO. It works on me. We always renew our subscription when a show we like is up. With Sopranos ending and Carnivale canceled, the only show we still watched was Deadwood. If this show is pretty good, we will probably renew HBO when its next season starts.

I honestly knew very little about polygamy. This show caused me to read a dozen articles in the past week on the subject and will probably read a few more if the reviews continue to be as positive. I imagine the show will continue to show the horror behind the practice, that it never worked and that it never will work.

[Missy Vixen]

11. The writers started exploring some of these themes last night

>From the subjugation and exploitation of women, the abuse of girls (sexual and incestual) and the damage done to the young men who are thrown out of their communities as they come of age because they become rivals for the available females<

I was surprised to see more than one scene with characters obviously uncomfortable with the reality of their lives -- re: very young girl now "sealed" to an "elder", etcetera. It's not being presented as fun and games. It's dark.

Julie

[China_cat]

12. Well, that's something, at least

The ads I'm seeing for it on some of the cable channels I do get are playing it for laughs and that disturbs me highly.

[caty]

19. That's why I'm

not planning to watch this show. Too many lives have been harmed and ruined because of polygamy. I just don't think it is a subject to be taken lightly or glamorized.

[China_cat]

13. If you want a reality look at polygamy

"Inside Polygamy" starts at 9pm EST on A&E.

[khashka]

16. That sort of thing drives me crazy

it's rarely about polygamy, just reinforcing how great monogamy is.

Try my life - one wife, three husbands and we raised a cool kid.

No one does an "Inside Monogamy" show. About how men abuse their wives and when they don't abuse them relegate them to second-class. But that is not true for most monogamous couples!

We've recently gone through a trauma here. Where certain persons in non-monogamous relationhips got trashed so bad they left.


I have no interest in sitting through other people's uninformed opinions....


Khash.

[China_cat]

17. I've seen this one. It IS about polygamy.

And I'm really sorry that you've missed the point of the myriad shows on spousal abuse, physical, sexual and emotional. They tend to show people the pitfalls to look for and the things to be thankful are not happening in their lives...not to mention ways to help make it better for those it is happening to.

[khashka]

18. Actually, i don't think I missed the point

That information is really necessary. Often times people see themselves and think "Oh My God! That's me! And that's how this story ends! I need to do something, I need to get out!"

If one woman gets away, then every show like that was worthwhile.

What bugs me is the monogamy/polygamy thang.. No one blames that situation on monogamy, but that sort of thing IS blamed on polygamy. It's rare to see polygamy as a good choice. As something that can be good for men and women and also their children.

I don't object to exposing abuse wherever it occurs. Makes me sick to watch it, but it often it helps people.


All I want is a balanced view. And blame layed where it belongs - not on monogamy or polygamy, but on the individual men who are abusive to women.


Think for a moment..... how many documentaries have you seen that trashed monogamy? How many showed how evil polygamy is?


I personally think monogamy is silly. But I realize that only refers to me and many people find it deeply satisfying. And I'm happy for them! I'd just like the same in return...


Khash.

[khashka]

14. I'm thinkin' about it

Got an ad in the mail today "Polygamy enjoys company"


I'll wait for the DVD and give it a try.

But Bill Paxton - stop my beating heart!


Khash.

[supernova]

15. I'm debating it

Normally, I'll watch just about anything. But the polygamy thing makes me... squeamish. I'm not sure why it would be that as opposed to some other off color material. :shrug:

Maybe it's just that it's new to television.