Posted by John Romano in Opinion, Reviews on October 29, 2009
This week, many in the blogosphere were rabid over the latest episode of Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” On the show, Larry is prescribed some medicine that makes him urinate with extra force. While at the house of an employee Larry accidentally pees on a painting of Jesus that is in the bathroom. Shocked over what he has just done, Larry can’t bring himself to wipe down the painting. Larry’s employee and her mother come across the painting and declare it a miracle as the offending pee looked like a tear from Jesus’ eye. Typical “CYE” calamity and misunderstandings ensue.
Larry David in conservatives' cross-hairs.
The criticism started like a tidal wave after the show’s premiere on Sunday. Among them, my old colleagues at Big Hollywood took the easy way out and posted the text of an email that was sent to the site. From the email:
Larry pisses on the face of a painting of Jesus Christ, followed by mocking of Christians who believe the piss drop on the face of Jesus is a tear, thus they’ve witnessed a miracle. I wonder how many other viewers, Christian and non Christian, are similarly shocked and disgusted
I love you guys, but think this one is much ado about nothing.
At least the Catholic League has some standing to complain. They posted the following on their website on Monday:
Was Larry David always this crude? Would he think it comedic if someone urinated on a picture of his mother?
Deal Hudson of InsideCatholic.com said:
Why is it that people are allowed to publicly show that level of disrespect for Christian symbols?
Uh, I believe it is called the 1st Amendment, Deal.
Many folks think that Hollywood is overly critical on Christians while treating Jews and especially Muslims with kid gloves. I had a huge issue when Western media bowed to radical Islam and refused to show the tame Muhammed cartoons that caused a furor in Europe. That is where the outrage should have been for all concerned, including Hollywood. And yes, changing Tom Clancy villains from Muslims to White Supremacists is laughable and cowardly. Hollywood may have an issue with being cowardly in regard to Islam, but for Christians to attempt to use the methods of radicals demeans the religion. Hence the title of this article.
I don’t want to be part of a religion that is afraid of its own shadow like the small minority of Muslims who chose violence over a group of silly cartoons.
Getting back to Larry David, Mr. David has taken issue with Christians, Islam, Scientology, African-Americans, gays and his own religion of Judaism on “Curb.” JC can handle whatever Mr. David has to dole out.
Do conservatives and Christians really want to stifle creativity and speech because it may offend them? If you have an issue with Larry David and HBO shut the TV off. If you have issue with this column, please comment below 
.
#1 by Paul on October 29, 2009 - 4:55 am
"Right-wing and Catholic Bloggers Take A Play From Hardline Islam Playbook"
Islam playbook…. I don't think so. Islam playbook would call for his death. I think it's more of the Jewish playbook because if anyone ever does anything remotely critical of judaism they are labled an anti-semite and asked to resign in shame. Which is why you probably went with Islam in your title. I guess your more scared of being a labeled a jew critic then death. smart move champ !
#2 by Michael McCormack on October 29, 2009 - 11:45 am
You guys are full of it! This is not the first time David has made dispersions towards Catholicism. He does something every other show! We monitor his show and others. David is as anti-Catholic as the come. He is a weasel , coward and a scum bag as is his friend Jerry Seinfeld who went along with the piece! M.G. McCormack publisher – The Southern Star.org
#3 by TED mARTIN on October 29, 2009 - 3:07 pm
i AM SICKENED BY A DISGUSTING PERSON LIKE LARRY DAVIS AND HOPE THAT HBO AND HIS SHOW GO UNDER FOR HIS TOTAL DISRESPECT FOR HOLY THINGS. HE SHOULD BE TARED AND FEATHERED AND DROVE OUT OF THIS COUNTRY, SICK BAS–ARD
#4 by TED MARTIN on October 29, 2009 - 3:10 pm
i CALL FOR EVERY SELF RESPECTING CHRISTIAN THAT GETS HBO TO WRITE A LETTER TO THEM COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS AND TO CANCEL THEIR MEMBERSHIPS WITH HBO THEN THEY WILL LISTEN!
#5 by DDawg777 on October 29, 2009 - 3:26 pm
I have already contacted AT&T and talked with a representative about removing HBO from their packages. Also, I filed the incident as a hate crime with a prominent organization. People are trying to "dumb this down" and "downplay" this. I have already contacted a Church withn 5 miles of me that has 17,000 members and also have let 4 ministers know of the incident. The fact that cynical darwinist are not also outraged by this shows me their true chararcter. If someone pissed on the Torah or Quran or said Dr. Goebells was right than what would the response be then?
#6 by DDawg777 on October 29, 2009 - 3:27 pm
And yes I did have HBO removed this morning
#7 by DDawg777 on October 29, 2009 - 3:30 pm
We now know the Romano guy who defended this prematurely without knowing the 85% of Americans who believe in God are outraged by this. You are a pawn…
#8 by Shody on October 29, 2009 - 7:14 pm
Here is my email to BHO and Bill Nelson at Billnelson@hbo.com. Feel free to edit and resend if you find merit in it.
…
Is it hilarious to insult millions of Catholics on your show by having Larry David urinate on an image of Christ, then portray the Catholics in the household as utterly stupid and gullible? To suggest that David’s erections are a miracle encapsulates the ignorance, crudity, and moral bankruptcy of your show’s creators, writers, and producers. Although I do not often watch your show, I will never watch it again, nor will I buy products advertised on it. I will further write about this broadcast on my blog, and distribute it widely to Catholic blogs so they may take action against your program by boycotting and writing to its advertisers.
If I urinated on a picture of Moses or the Star of David on a television show, I would be instantly banned from further broadcasting. Many, many “gentiles” understand that Jews in the media, such as Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, believe they have the unexamined right to belittle Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims in the broader media and in Hollywood. We will not suffer insults to Catholicism by a group of stale Jews ignorant enough to take for granted the ludicrous assertion they are the “chosen people” while at the same time finding the sloppy and broken functions of their aging genitals comical. To profane Christ Jesus or religious imagery of any kind is simply malicious, and contradicts the Jews’ own infamous and aggressive insistence of enforced respect for Jewish images, culture, and history in the most remote instance.
Believe it or not, there are several million people who are so reflective and committed to a higher reality as to find a show that promotes athesism, befoulment of Christ Jesus, and late middle-aged references to erectile dysfunction not very entertaining. “Curb Your Enthusiasm” hopes to make a culture of moral contempt the norm. By boycotting your advertisers and widely disseminating this episode’s attempt to deride Catholicism and Christianity, we will hold the writers and producers of this show accountable for the debasements they inflict on religious traditions of all kinds.
#9 by roma_NONONO on November 1, 2009 - 1:44 am
I See Romano, you have REMOVED the truth I taught you about the1st Amendment Rights. But I can see that you have learnt already; otherwise, you would not have dared to remove my comments from this privatly owned Blog. 'Cause what about my 1st Amendment Rights according to your own false and made-up interpretation of the 1st Amendment. Now, remove this nonsensical blog entry that is propagating COMPLETELY and UTERLY WRONG CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. And Romano what about the Historical Christian Crusades that wiped out many Jews, Muslims, their culture and even their humanity among others. What about all these Christians who keep taking the lives of Doctors in America. What about what happened in Oklahoma city, and not to mention the American holocaust museum incident recently. These are just a few facts. So, yup, you are right; these Christians were reading the Koran just before they commited these crimes against humanity. HAHAHAHAHAH!–your teacher, muhammed.
#10 by John 13:34 on November 7, 2009 - 2:47 am
Ok, not a regular here but, as a deeply spiritual Catholic, I feel compelled to pose several questions.
Is it a sin for a person to accidentally urinate on a picture?
Is it a sin for a person to accidentally urinate on a picture of Jesus?
Is it a sin for that person to feel so embarrased and uncomfortable that they leave without cleaning the urine off?
Is it a sin to laugh at that person's embarrassment and discomfort?
Is it a sin to laugh at the same embarrasment and discomfort of a fictional character?
Is it a sin to laugh at the irony of two other fictional characters, who upon seeing the urine on the picture, make the unexpected and wildly unwarranted conclusion that they are witnessing a divine miracle?
Is it a sin to laugh at characters that make wildly unwarranted conclusions?
Is it a sin to laugh at Catholic characters that make wildly unwarranted conclusions?
Is it a sin to write this story?
Peacefully submitted.
#11 by ANNA Llody on November 14, 2009 - 2:17 am
Ifact is, it was not an accident, it was written, rehearsed and approved for HBO TV viewing. This was not an accident. I do not underderstand why anyone would find humor in an old man accidentally spraying on a painting of ANY religious figure.
#12 by Bill on February 6, 2010 - 1:48 am
"I don’t want to be part of a religion that is afraid of its own shadow like the small minority of Muslims who chose violence over a group of silly cartoons."
Why do you want to be a part of religion is it a club that you joined for the social connections or is it that you love Jesus? You wouldn't be offended if the next time a comedy is aired with a character urinating on my mothers picture for a few cheap laughs. Why? Because you care nothing for her. Is this the case here sir? While I am not willing to kill someone for this offense, I will not support it with my money. As a Christian I have a right to defend what i believe in and believe it is time for people who feel likewise to do the same. If it had been an anti-Muslim skit or a anti-homosexual skit I imagine the same people who are saying " its just a joke " would be screaming hate speech. This is another case where all Christian denominations and Catholics need to "hang together "
We must hang together or assuredly we shall hang separately.
— Benjamin Franklin