The Inside Scoop

            If you could know what no one else knows—insider truths about how things really work—and if that knowledge could help Christians have an influence on television content, would you want to know it? I just finished reading a remarkable book called Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film, and Culture (edited by Spencer Lewerenz and Barbara Nicolosi from Baker Books). Its uniqueness lies in that its chapters are written by Christians who also happen to work in Hollywood as producers and writers. In his chapter, “Changing the Channels,” Dean Batali, an executive producer and writer, offers an insider’s understanding of how programming works and how Christians can make a difference. And he offers some practical suggestions.

The Write Way

            The TV industry looks at television as a means to an end: to sell advertising. Ratings (how many people watch a particular show) don’t even matter as much as target audience (the people most likely to spend money on what they see advertised). According to Batali, television executives tend to see Christians as a non-market, as people who either don’t watch TV, or are offended by everything on television. This is the image we need to change.

            Writing letters doesn’t sound much like an industry secret, does it? But Batali emphasizes the importance of writing the right kind of letter and getting it to the right people so that Hollywood begins to perceive us as a group worth giving some attention.

            This will take some research, not just in terms of internet hunts for names and advertisers but also in terms of changing our viewing habits. We need to read reviews, surf channels, and make choices. Christians should find the worthwhile TV shows (none of which will be perfect) and choose to see and support the good they offer.

            It will also take a new tone and some individual concern. Batali argues that industry workers aren’t interested in mass mailings or mass protests. A letter in which a viewer says he’s offended by a show and will never watch it again has taken himself out of the equation: if he’s not going to watch anymore, why would any industry executive be interested in changing the show? Form letters have a similar effect. Execs aren’t interested in the opinions of political groups but of the people who actually watch their shows.

            Batali says we should write personal letters so people in Hollywood will see us as persons. Even a return address on the envelope will help them see that Christians are watching from all over the country. And we should write as fans of a show, praising its values before pointing out problems. Fans who say, “I want to keep watching the show but really find that such-and-such material takes away from my enjoyment,” give incentive to writers to make changes and give proof that they value the industry and those who work in it.

            Then we need to send the letters to the right people, first to a show’s writers. We can reach them by directly addressing letters to the Production Office of the particular show (That address can be found on the internet or by calling Los Angeles Information). Writers love fan letters, though they don’t get them very often, and they pay attention to concerns that are presented with positive politeness. Second, we should send a letter with similar content to the network which broadcasts the show, addressing it to the president of the network. And finally, copies of this network letter should go to two or three of the companies that advertise products on the show, addressed to the Consumer Relations division of those companies.

            Batali believes that, however gradually, this approach to communicating with Hollywood could have a real impact in the long run on the nature and content of television programming.

But Before That…

            In order for it to work, though, I think Christians are going to have to make a fundamental change in their attitudes toward television viewing, even before we’re ever ready to write a letter or take a stand. Batali hints at it. I want to make it clear.

            Our couch potato approach to watching TV has to change. My students frequently question my tendency to analyze the movies and TV shows I watch. “Why can’t you just relax and enjoy it?” or “Analyzing it is too hard and takes all the fun out,” they’ll say. My response is simple: all of us do things for fun that require some work. Maybe it’s a craft we do or a sport we play. Maybe it’s cooking, gardening or composing music. All of us have hobbies and passions which entertain us but which others look at shaking their heads: “Why work so hard to have fun?” But they do it too. We all do. Before television, entertainment which allowed us to put our brains on hold wasn’t even an option. I personally think it one of Satan’s subtler attacks that he has fooled us into believing only things that are easy to do can be relaxing and fun. When someone says to me, “Why can’t you just relax and enjoy it?” I respond, “I am.” Looking for deeper truths and noticing the craft of film technique are fun and relaxing.

            More importantly, television just isn’t safe enough for us not to watch it carefully. Two things must happen if we’re going to participate in changing television content. The second is we have to get active, but first, before that, we have to become fans, serious about our play.