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It was probably Saturday Night Live‘s strongest skit last week, somewhat inexplicably buried in the last slot before the end of the show. But, if by airing the Tim Tebow sketch at 12:20 AM SNL was hoping to avoid controversy, it didn’t succeed. The skit, in which God asks the Denver Broncos quarterback, who openly professes his faith, to “tone it down a notch,” has gone viral. Yesterday it drew fire from televangelist Pat Robertson, who called it an example of “anti-Christian bigotry” in the country “that is just disgusting.” “If this had been a Muslim country and they had done that, and had Muhammad doing that stuff, you would have found bombs being thrown off,” Robertson said during an appearance on the Christian Broadcast Network, posted online by Mediaite.com. Robertson called Tebow “a wonderful human being” who should be “applauded” for talking publicly about his religious faith. Robertson was not alone in its criticism of the sketch. Additionally, Fox News’ Bob Beckel called the parody “despicable” for its portrayal of Jesus Christ. Here are clips of the SNL skit and Robertson’s reaction:
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I believe it’s called satire, Rev.
There is plenty to make fun of when it comes to Christians, hypocrisy and the general silliness related to it. As with most religions.
Thought it was pretty damn funny.
Pat clearly needs to leave some room for the Holy Ghost…
who with a brain pays any atention to robertson? he is a total con artist who prays on people to the tune of millions of dollars a year, he is a slimy little toad who in a real knngdom of heaven would need asbestos underware.
“There is plenty to make fun of when it comes to Christians, hypocrisy and the general silliness related to it. As with most religions.”
And yet strangely, the Christian religion is the only one that gets routinely mocked. Seen any sketches about Mohammed lately? No? Ever wonder why that is?
“Ever wonder why that is?”
it’s all just a big conspiracy to wind you up, Liz. We talked about it at last week’s meeting.
get down off that cross!
The late Phil Hartman set the tradition of a kindly hipster Jesus. This most recent skit follows that tradition, it doesn’t deny Jesus’ divinity, wasn’t (too) blasphemous and was almost funny.
This sketch was in fact a remake of one Hartman did with guest host Sally Field around 1994. It can be found on Hulu (search “Don’t Pray So Much”), and was frankly much funnier.
And how lovely to hear “anti-Christian bigotry” coming from the lips of one of the nation’s most notorious anti-Semites.
Thanks for the heads up on the old Phil Hartman skit. It was great.
And instructive in the differences between the two skits:
One is actors barely relating to each other as they read cue cards, having no reason to be in the scene but to rattle off the jokes.
The other is two actors as characters, each with points of view and wants, interacting with each other.
I don’t understand.
Pat Robertson and his 700 Club are big, big supporters of Israel.
How can you call him an anti-semite bigot?
Or are you just being glib with your Christo-phobia?
Did you miss all those seasons of Little Mosque on the Prairie? Or or offensively, Pam Gellar’s 9/11 movie? Or Lowes pulling advertising from a show about Muslims because it showed them being normal human beings?
If someone made a TV show about how intolerant a big chunk of Christians are, do you think it’d manage to stay on the air?
There are just few and far between. The reason is Christian crazies won’t bomb you for insulting them like Muslim crazies would. And if you’re suggesting that Christian crazies should start crap like that again there really is something wrong with you and Pat apparently
I would like you to do some satire of the Muslims and please include a picture of Mohammed. You have the right to do it, and please do it publicly and video it so we can post it on the internet for our peace loving friends in the Middle East to watch.
Make fun of Muslims’ religion and see if they chop off your head!
Of course, satire is supposed to be clever and funny. And appeal to both the immature and mature crowd. This only appeals to the former, and caters to the anti-Christian bias of liberals who despise the spiritual values that prevent it from grabbing hold of the throats of religious people, who already prefer their own God over either Obama or the State.
Jesus Christ, God clearly didn’t give Pat a sense of humor.
Using the Lord’s name in vain does not make your remark funny. Only offensive.
What constitutes as in vain anyway.
Jesus Christ Bill, you should loosen up.
Claiming Rev. Robertson doesn’t have a sense of humor when Jesus is mocked is pretty much as cheap a comment as it gets.
So Pat Robertson wants America to be more like a totalitariam theocratic country where “controversial” depictions of the dominant religion are greeted with terrorism? Wait, don’t answer that.
As a Christian and a big Tebow fan myself, I honestly did not find this SNL sketch very offensive. I even giggled a few times.
And Robertson comparing this to Muhammad? I’m sorry, but that is a terrible metaphor. They are a Muslim country. We are not a Christian country. SNL only offended a select few people who I highly doubt watch the show anyway.
I am a Christian and was not offended. The skit was incredibly stupid and not funny at all thought, and that’s a bit offensive.
I agree. Tebow is heinously overrated as a football player and his legion of lunatic fans who don’t understand football are incredibly grating.
The man has inspired internet memes and this is the best SNL could do? I too was very offended that SNL couldn’t do a better job of bashing Tebow.
There’s nothing funnier than an insecure majority.
I wasn’t aware that Pat Robertson even HAD a sense of humor! In fact, Al Franken does a better Pat Robertson than Pat.
SNL’s sketch was right on the money. And not just about Tebow, but for any self-righteous overpaid athlete that thanks “his Lord and Saviour” for helping his team beat the crap out of the other guys. I am glad you have faith, guys, really. Just don’t get in everybody else’s face about it, mmm-kay?
thought it was a fantastic sketch! didn’t make fun of Christianity, only those who are so over the top and need to “take it down a notch” as well as those who act as if God is spending time rooting for one sports team over another, as if that’s the most important matter in the universe.
knowing that its so easy to throw a match on the gasoline of fearful followers by bringing up the word “Muslim,” pat robertson consistently throws “verbal bombs”. it’s sad how uses his “pulpit” to ignore the sacrifice of Jesus and His Love for ALL that was created by saying this as well as previous “verbal bombs”.
Pat Robertson does not ignore the sacrifices of Jesus, he speaks of them often. Pat just says incredibly stupid things from time to time, but he is a sincere man of God. And actually, he is right on this. SNL is mocking God, they surely don’t have the balls to mock Islam’s Muhammad. You don’t put your own stupid idea of what Jesus looks like in a skit. God is not a joke, and is not to be mocked. I think that is what Pat is trying to say, in his own bizarre way.
The sketch is not mocking God, it’s mocking people who act like God takes a side in football games.
You mean God-the-Ruler-of-the-Universe, -the-all-seeing-all-knowing-all powerful? That God? Why does He need Pat Robertson to defend him? He can obliterate the world with a thought.
either you didn’t bother to read my full post or just decided to ignore what it said or have an interpretation of the skit that’s just doesn’t get it.
again, the point satirized those who acts as if the most important thing God does every day is deal with the winner of a sports game as well as gently mocking those who are over the top.
to tell you the truth, the portrayal of Jesus was actually quite gentle and kind. it wasn’t as if He came into the locker room chugging beers and screaming at the players.
“You don’t put your own stupid idea of what Jesus looks like in a skit.”
I thought he looked pretty much like the dude hanging up behind all the Church pulpits…
Well, he certainly has a lot of experience with bigotry…
Huh…guess there wasn’t a national tragedy for Robertson to blame on gay people, so he had to watch SNL.
Seriously, though, if the beliefs held by the Christian religion are true, there’s no way Jesus is coming back until douchebags like Pat Robertson quit aligning themselves with him. Way to give the son of God a bad name, Pat.
If you think Pat is giving the son of God a bad name, what do you think you’re doing?
Not subscribing to modern-day mythology, for one.
hysterical… he claims anti christian bigotry by throwing out anti muslim bigotry and doesn’t even realize it…
It’s not bigotry to be anti-Muslim if you’re a Christian, moron.
You have a rather “unique” definition of bigot, and by “unique”, you know, I mean idiotic right?
Using your hilariously ridiculous “logic”, then it’s perfectly okay for people who are not christians to be anti-christian. Which would make the rest of that idiot’s rant about persecution of christians completely ridiculous and false. Right?
I’m not defending Robertson, who is not representative of Christians as a whole and has said many dumb things. This time around, though, he actually has a point — one which has been made by many other, smarter people: namely, that these “brave”, “edgy” comedians who poke fun at Christians become quiet as mice whenever the topic of Islam comes up…
Oh you poor dear, Liz. How do you go on day to day you poor, sweet VICTIM. We should all be so brave as Liz to carry on in the face of such adversity.
Liz, you sound jealous that Muslims have the reputation for bombing satirists. Have a tad bit of confidence in your beliefs.
I think Robertson is a moron, but his comparison of how Christians and Muslims are treated is right on the money. Christianity is a very easy target. It’s actually getting silly to watch all these comedians think they’re being “edgy” by making fun of Christians. It’s too easy. It’s shooting fish in a barrel. It doesn’t make you a rebel by attacking the soft, easy target. And all these same people attacking Christians would NEVER attack Muslims in a million years because that’s a tough target. You gotta have balls to attack them. Besides Trey Parker and Matt Stone, there doesn’t seem to be many balls in the comedic community these days.
We killed hundreds of thousands of Muslims in a war simply because most American Christians could not differentiate Iraqi Muslims from Afghan Muslims. As unfair treatments go, I think Christians are a bunch of whiny children in this case.
«We killed hundreds of thousands of Muslims in a war simply because most American Christians could not differentiate Iraqi Muslims from Afghan Muslims.»
Prove it.
This coming from the same guy who prayed on the 700 Club for a Supreme Court justice to die so Bush could appoint another right winger. Yeah, that’s real Christian.
It’s so blatantly obvious that the NFL is promoting a rightwing agenda as we head into the elections. Anchormen wearing flagpins, cameramen showing players pointing to the sky or kneeling and praying in the end zone, troops in uniform on the sidelines. What a shit sandwich. Kudos to SNL for spoofing this pathetic display.
Shut up. Being Patriotic and believing in a higher power does not equate to promoting a right wing agenda. It’s football, not politics.
While I think you carry your “right-wing agenda” idea a little too far, I can see your point. I’m reminded of a scene in BACK TO SCHOOL with Robert Downey, Jr. His character is on his way to disrupt a pep rally: “Violent ground acquisition games such as football is in fact a crypto-fascist metaphor for nuclear war.”
Tebow irritates me. Can’t we have separation of sport and religion too?
Thank the Lord out loud all you like, free speech allows me to riducule you for looking like a God-Fearing hick from the sticks.
and gives you the right to be an ass
Tim Tebow isn’t the one asking for microphones to be shoved in his face every 5 seconds. Tim Tebow isn’t the one asking for the camera to cut to him every time he kneels. I’m sure there are many, many, many players in ALL sports just as religious as Tebow but the media doesn’t make a story out of that. I’m not religious by any means but I don’t understand why people hate Tebow when it’s the media that has blown all this non-sense so ridiculously out of proportion.
And Tebow didn’t ask for that pro-life Superbowl ad to star himself, did he?
Nor did he ask for “Glee” or gay pride parades with a bunch of fools showing their asses with kids around, all in the name of “pride.”
so what was wrong with his pro-life ad? so does that mean you hate Tebow because he is pro-life as opposed to pro-what???? choice? obviously you dont like his “choices” …
also, Fox News’ Bob Beckel isnt a conservative hes a liberal. and even he was offended by the skit.
Hey genius, if you would ever bother to watch a football game you might notice the collection of players from both teams in the center of the field after a game.
They’re praying. They’re thanking the Lord.
If Kim Kardashian can have cameras follow HER around, what’s the problem you see with cameras pointed at a great kid with wonderful beliefs that worked harder than you pea brain could possibly fathom to get where he is?
its only offensive if its not funny.
this was funny.
First, we all know that “SNL” sucks. Has for many years. The Tebow/Jesus thing is ludicrous. I know it’s satire, but they are making fun of the God of many people. If gay people can throw a hissy fit at even the “slightest” perception of something anti-gay, I think the Christian community has the right to go nuts over something as incredibly stupid and tasteless as this drivel. It was far from funny, as is most of the dreck on “SNL” and NBC, for that matter.
Amen!
Pat once again tells us in so many words that he wants a Christian fundamentalist state like fundamental Islamic states.
Let me get this straight: You’re comparing a religion that preaches love and forgiveness to a religion that preaches death to anyone that doesn’t believe? REALLY????
Christianity doesn’t preach death to people who don’t believe? Which world have you been living in?
Clearly you know nothing of Islam except for all of the hate you have heard
I’m dumbfounded by the “controversy” that surrounds Tim Tebow. He is a young man who is unashamed and unafraid to show his faith. The NFL is full of convicted felons, adulterers, drug users, etc. and that should be controversial. Mr. Tebow has never once claimed to pray for victories and has never asserted that somehow Jesus is intervening in the outcome of games – the media may have done that but not Mr. Tebow. He does what the Bible instructs Christians to do – pray and give thanks. The Koran does that, too. I don’t see many skits on SNL about Muslims praying towards Mecca five times a day – as they do. As for Pat Robertson, he’s been a silly man for some time. Don’t confuse him with the word of God. I find Mr. Tebow fearless and uncompromising and an inspiration.
And if SNL did do that, the next thing ticking on set WON’T be the break to commercial counter.
the “controversy” is that Tebow is not a very good quarterback, who normally plays 3 horrible quarters, has a defense that keeps his team in the game and somehow gets it together enough in the 4th quarter to go to ot and get the kicker in to win the game.
now, others, who have pinpointed his Christian beliefs and bending to pray (publicly, have viewed him as a miracle worker of sorts, ignoring the years of comebacks done by the broncos hall of fame quarterback in the past. if he really is that, then have him traded to the cleveland browns and see if he can do the same thing.
Who cares what Pat Robertson thinks? Of any possible interest to me would be what Tim Tebow himself thought of the skit. Has anybody asked him? I’ll bet he doesn’t have a problem with it just as he doesn’t have a problem posing for photos with people who are “tebowing” right in front of him.
Who the hell is Pat Robertson and who the hell cares what he thinks? Let’s stop giving him free publicity.
Is it really a “controversy” if the same old people are making the same old complaints that the majority of us don’t care about? I wouldn’t even know these people were complaining if not for this article.
ahahaha, what a hypocrite, calling others bigots. always fun to see the so-call christian crying foul when they are the ones spreading bigot comments on other religions. using faith to spread hate is evil.
They laughed at those idiotic celebrities that thank God in every awards speech. Like one celebrity said: “Please don’t thank God in every speech. You think he doesn’t have any other things to do then think: “O.k. I will give this award to you. And will not give that awards to that one”.
It’s so pisses me off when at every awards every second celebrity thank’s God. Like that one celebrity prayed better then other four? And this is how God decides to whom he gives Golden Globes or MTV VMA awards? People die from hunger in Africa and God sits and watches Tv and decides who deserves Oscar or Grammy better?
So stupid. And that was the object of jokes in that scetch.
most importantly though, the sketch was making a point that a sport game is a team effort and lots of practice, not merely mindless prayers. and that’s the message, it has nothing to with bashing any religion whatsoever. it is Pat Robertson who is using a harmless sketch to further his anti-religious agenda.
Me-damnit, now someone needs to give Pat a call and tell HIM to tone it down a notch.
JC, what are your avails looking like for Sunday?
No good, Pops. Celebrating my birthday. 2012 years and it’s gonna be off the heezy! Heaven’s gonna be harder to get into than SoHo House.
I’ll get at you afterwards.
Peace be unto you.
The Rev needs to get off his high horse. Its satire and the skit was perhaps one of the only funny things on the show. What true Christian didn’t laugh when it was implied that Jesus/God has better things to do on a Sunday than continually grant Tebow’s prayers?
I admit that the show could have gone in a completely different way, with the whole “day of rest” bit. But it was funny, and it didn’t make Tebow look the fool, nor did it make his faith look stupid. It just poked a little fun at how he practices.
As hilarious as it gets. Pat Robertson is an ass.