Saturday Night Live Sinks To New Low

NBC | 3-14-04

[My Favorite Headache]

Did anyone just see the Saturday Night Live cartoon ragging on The Passion of the Christ? They had it as "The Passion of the Dumpty" as in Humpty Dumpty. Showing a fried egg as the last supper and going to heaven and making fun of the imgage of Christ dying on the cross.

I have never felt more insulted than I do right now as a Catholic. Plus they had Bush smear commercials in between the skits and painted Mel Gibson to be insane.

[My Favorite Headache]

To be more specific here they took a clip of the Diane Sawyer interview and interplayed it with Humpty Dumpty dying when he fell off the wall...and it was done just like the scenes from The Passion. It had a horse stepping on the egg...man..just feeling insulted right now.

[Trillian]

I have not watched SNL in years, it just wasn't funny anymore. I'm surprised it's still on..

[scan58]

I saw it. My jaw dropped and I'm still shaking my head.

[spyone]

Don't feel sad. Feel fortunate. Truly.

[My Favorite Headache]

There better be an apology coming from NBC for allowing that to air. That went beyond the means of bad taste...it was the most disrespectful thing I have seen on SNL and I am one who usually likes dark humor but this was just out of line.

[Torie]

It sounds so off the wall as it were, to be harmless. The ability to laugh at one's self is a sign of calm security and confidence. I would be amazed if SNL might to incite a jihad against believing Christians. But I did not see the scene. I don't watch SNL. It is past this old man's bedtime.

[narses]

Did anyone just see the Saturday Night Live cartoon ragging on The Passion of the Christ? They had it as "The Passion of the Dumpty" as in Humpty Dumpty. Showing a fried egg as the last supper and going to heaven and making fun of the imgage of Christ dying on the cross.

I have never felt more insulted than I do right now as a Catholic. Plus they had Bush smear commercials in between the skits and painted Mel Gibson to be insane.

[RobbyS]

Never watch the thing. But not surprising.

[AngieGOP]

You act like you are surprised. SNL has gone down hill. I stopped watching it when they started bashing President Bush on a weekly basis. It must have killed them to behave the few months after 9/11.

[ServesURight]

I heard the Bush parody commercials in the other room (unfortunately, my girlfriend's addicted to SNL and other liberal goobledygook on the boob tube). But I didn't see it, what happened?

I especially tuned out since Bennifer was hosting.

[tim7]

Did you see the skit right after the cartoon? SNL insulted the entire south....It's pretty obvious what they are trying to do....I will "never" watch SNL again.

[des]

If it was ANY other religion, there would be outrage. But Christians see a mission field instead of a battlefield.

[cspackler]

It really was over the top. I'm hard to offend, and my jaw was hanging open too. Basically ended by showing the clip from Lethal Weapon were he was screaming "You wannna see crazy"...

Anyone else notice Bennifer in really porking out?

[garbanzo]

They make fun of whoever's in power - last week they had Darrell Hammond as Bill Clinton, ruminating on what he'd be like if got put on the Kerry ticket - "Imagine me with even less responsibility...I'll put the 'vice' back in 'Vice-President'..."

[GottaLuvAkitas1]

"heard the Bush parody commercials in the other room"

I may be wrong because it wasn't clear, but I think they were trying to say that no matter what Bush says in his commercials the "lefties" is never going to shut up.
or something like that.

[NewRomeTacitus]

A few weeks ago Tina Fey wouldn't shut up with the Bush insults during the "news" segment, just totally drove it into the ground and killed what humor they had built with the live audience. This occured right after a group of prominant New York liberals gave her some sort of (dis)honor for her Garafalo-like crusade against conservatism.

Comedy made you rich, Lorne, not activism.

[kenth]

I haven't watched SNL in years as they went from bad to worse to downright stinky. Their attempts at humor have gotten so lame as to make one angry on a normal basis.

They seem to think comedy is nothing more than overexaggerated characters, usually those who have been in the media recently. They will then repeat a line over and over until someone finds it funny. It's usually not the audience.

[steve86]

I am not entirely unhappy that good and evil are so easy to discern these days. Nothing subtle about the motives or orientation of those behind the skit. Sort of like the gay marriage movement, the pro-death movement, the pornography movement, etc.

Would be better if evil went away, but as long as its here we might as well know the players. Makes it a lot easier to teach the kids.

[scan58]

Yes, I agree. Robert Smigel, who brings us that segment of SNL("TV Funhouse") has done more than his share of offensive comedy. I think most of his stuff is gross. "Southpark", et al, are tame compared to Smigel.

[BlueAngel]

Saturday Night has fallen to a new low. It thats possible. I wonder if liberals are ever offended by this kind of crap. Do they write emails stating their disapproval? I doubt it.

[MagnoliaB]

As the Church Lady would say:
"Well now...won't they just burn in hell."
Then she does the church lady dance.

[The G Man]

The Bush commercials were funny.

Starts out with the actual commercial with Bush saying "I'm George W.Bush and I approved this ad" and they go into the "steady leadership in times of change" thing but instead of the WTC, etc, we get Michael Jackson holding his baby over the balcony and Liza and David Gest kissing at their wedding. I thought it was kinda funny.

[My Favorite Headache]

Yeah they put Mel Gibson in the Porky Pig Merrie Melodies thing and took the scene from the Christmas tree lot in Lethal Weapon 1. Basically saying Mel is insane in their eyes. I hope he makes a billion worldwide. I have seen The Passion 3 times. This makes me want to see it again.

[DallasMike]

Yes, I agree. Robert Smigel, who brings us that segment of SNL("TV Funhouse") has done more than his share of offensive comedy.

He's the one who does Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. I find him hilarious but do feel a bit guilty sometimes because it's so crude.

[Petronski]

No more SNL for me. My jaw dropped and I felt as if I'd been slapped.

Smigel can be funny, but he needs an editor. This was more than satire...it was bitter.

[GeronL]

Just repeat christians are stupid and gay marriage is normal over and over again

[Coleus]

NJ Catholic priest was so appalled by Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ'' that he described the film as "religious barbarism.'' "I saw it as religious barbarism ... in my opinion, God did not send his son to die,''

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Time to find something else to do with your time. TV is written by adolescents for people too lazy to read a book, go exercise, or tinker around with a hobby. I stopped watching it in my forties. Toward the end I was amazed at the formula style of story telling. I eventually realized once you have see 'em once, you have seen 'em all.

TV even sucks for emergency announcements. The newscasters and weather forecasters are idiots without scripts.

Radio beats TV hands down.

Before I pass on, I want to shoot the damn TV my live-in mother-in-law watches all day long. I don't know if she can even process a thought anymore.

[My Favorite Headache]

The first commercial yes...the second...no.

[My Favorite Headache]

SNL has their hero on right now...Bill Clinton skit...the crowd is going nuts.

[Trillian]

"Radio beats TV hands down."

Totally, I have my radio on all day.

[Petronski]

Turn it off. "Midway" is only about half over, on AMC.

[Simcha7]

As A Born Again Jewish Believer in YESHUA/JESUS The Messiah.

I would like to see just how Much Power the FCC in Washington DC really has?

Will They Pull The PLUG on or even level a Fine on NBC and Saturday Night Live?

And make them Pay for this Grievous INSULT to My LORD and SAVIOR.

This is ONLY the Beginning of Christian and Jewish PERSECUTION.

And IT WILL HAPPEN IN...The United States Of America.

SHAME ON: NBC and Saturday Night Live - Anti-GOD, Anti-Christ and Anti-Family Elitist Limo-DemonRat Socialists.

[newsmeat.com]

Does it surprise you? Here's how SNL honchos have donated:
Lorne Michaels
Robert Smigel

[Paradox]

Darryl Hammond does his Bill Clinton, and hammers it home! Makes him look so sleazy, it was pretty good. Its not that the crowd loves Bill, they love the way Hammond "does" him..

[The Brush]

I'm not surprised.
I haven't watched TV since 1998... and I'm still alive! I get all the TV I need from conservative and religious talk radio, I never need to watch again.

[Blue_Ridge_Mtn_Geek]

Probably true. They aren't dumping only on The Shrub, though. They also have gone after the target-rich environment among the Demo Dwarves - - - including the Catsup Gigolo
.
http://humor.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://snltranscripts.jt.org/index.phtml


Here's a skit from last week's show:


Meet The Press

Tim Russert.....Darrell Hammond
Sen. John Edwards.....Will Forte


Announcer: For NBC News in Washington, this is "Meet The Press" with Tim Russert.

[ show images of John Edwards posing - tossing his hair back, blow-drying his hair, etc. ]

Tim Russert V/O: Our issue this week: Sen. John Edwards. Until his withdrawal three days ago, his centrist positions, positive campaign style, and youthful good looks made him a serious challenge to John Kerry for the Demmocratic nomination. Now, he's a solid bet for the Vice-Presidential slot. But was that his plan all along?

[ dissolve to Meet The Press studio ]

Tim Russert: And here in our studio now, the senior senator from North Carolina - John Edwards. Senator, welcome.

John Edwards: Thank you, Tim. It's mah pleasure!

Tim Russert: Senator, yes or no - has Sen. Kerry asked you to be his running-mate?

John Edwards: [ chuckles ] Tim.. I think it's awfully soon to be talking about that. Three days ago, Sen. Kerry and I were in a bitter contest for the nomination.

Tim Russert: And yet, Senator, to most observers, one of the msot striking things about your campaign against John Kerry.. was your apparent relunctance to criticize him - even slightly. With the vice-presidency at stake.. were you afraid.. to offend Sen. Kerry?

John Edwards: [ chuckles ] Tim.. if anyone thinks ah was pulling my punches against John Kerry because ah wanted to be his running-mate, well.. [ chuckles ] ..they were watching a different campaign than ah was. Ah was plenty critical of John.

Tim Russert: Alright. Here's the most negative ad you ran against Sen. Kerry, during the campaign. Let's take a look.

[ campaign ad plays, accompanied by photo of Sen. John Kerry ]

Voiceover: John Kerry likes to talk about his plan to save social security.

He likes to talk about how he will reduce the deficit.

He likes totalk about restoring American prestige around the world.

But it seems there's one thing John Kerry doesn't like to talk about - his heroic military service in Vietnam. Where he won a silver star. A bronze star. And three.. purple hearts. Which makes you ownder: why is John Kerry so modest? And can America really afford.. a President.. this self-effacing?

[ dissolve to a pool, as John Edwards steps up and wraps a towel around his semi-naked body ]

John Edwards: Ah'm John Edwards. And ah approved this ad.

[ dissolve back to the Meet The Press studio ]

Tim Russert: Sen. Edwards, is it not fair to say that, by the standards of most negative ads, this is not a particularly stinging attack?

John Edwards: Perhaps in Washington, that's not considered rough. But, uh.. out in the country, Tim, let me tell ya - they call that a zinger!

Tim Russert: Now.. is excessive modesty the only flaw you pointed out in Sen. Kerry's character, or is there something else?

John Edwards: Well.. ah think even admirers of John Kerry will concede that.. he has a tendancy to talk candidly to the American people, uh.. avoiding the kind of Washington double-talk they get from most politicians. And ah afraid to say so during the campaign.

Tim Russert: Again, Senator, not particularly "biting"!

John Edwards: Uh.. also.. ah went after him for the fact that he pushes himself too hard! That he doesn't take enough time off to relax. In one debate, ah flat-out called him a "workaholic"! To his face!

Tim Russert: Okay.

John Edwards: Yeah! Now, does that sound to you like ah was trying to go easy on him?

Tim Russert: [ sighs ] We have one more clip. A so-called negative ad you plan to run against Sen. Kerry next week in Louisiana. Let's take a look.

[ campaign ad plays, accompanied by photo of Sen. John Kerry ]

Voiceover: If you're thinking of voting for John Kerry, there's some facts you need to know.

Fact: John Kerry was the first member of Congress to recognize the threat of global terrorism.

Fact: John Kerry was a tough prosecuting attorney.

Fact: John Kerry speaks four languages.

Fact: At 6'5" and 185 pounds, John Kerry would be the tallest, leanest President in U.S. history.

When you know all the facts.. the choice is clear.

Edwards for President. Or Vice-President.

[ dissolve back to the Meet The Press studio ]

Tim Russert: You call that a negative ad?!

John Edwards: Ah stand by the charges ah made in that ad, if that's what you mean!

Tim Russert: How in God's name do you call that a negative ad?! It's simply a list of flattering statements about John Kerry, some of which, by the way, aren't even accurate! Ending with an illogical "Vote for Edwards!"

John Edwards: Well, ah know the Kerry camp was pretty upset about it.

Tim Russert: I somehow doubt that!

John Edwards: Well.. they were.

Tim Russert: Sen. Edwards, would it be fair to call you a toadie?

John Edwards: No.

Tim Russert: A brown nose?

John Edwards: No!

Tim Russert: A kiss ass?

John Edwards: Ah don't think so, Tim!

Tim Russert: A goo-goo-make-nice-goodie-two-shoes?

John Edwards: Perhaps, in the sense --

Tim Russert: Senator, isn't it fair to say that you were never really running for President, but, instead, auditioning for the Vice-Presidency, and, therefore, unwilling to offer even the mildest criticism of any other candidate, lest they not consider you for the second spot?

John Edwards: Tim.. much as it pains me to say so.. you're absolutely right! Uh.. Ah really have been simply running for Vice-President all along. Uh, uh.. I never would have admitted it, but your tough questioning forced it out of me. You're one heck of an interviewer, Tim, and ah respect you enormously --

Tim Russert: Oh, knock it off! That's all the time we have this week. Join us again next week, and, remember - if it's Sunday.. it's "Meet The Press."

[ fade ]

[Irish Eyes]

I did not see SNL tonight, but if it was as bad as you said please let them know how offended you were. If enough people let them know maybe they will get the hint.

[GeronL]

I don't watch that stuff. I DID just watch 2 good boxing matches on HBO though.

[scan58]

Well, then AFAIK, "Triumph" is the only thing by him I've ever actually laughed at. I don't think I can remember any of the TVF's that were really funny. Only sad and insulting.

[cmotormac44]

maybe you should look around for a new girlfriend?

[Blue_Ridge_Mtn_Geek]

A recent SNL sendup of the Hollyweird culture:


Jesus: Hollywood vs. History
Liam Neeson.....Colin Firth
Benny Hill.....Will Forte

Announcer: You're watching "Jesus: Hollywood vs. History", with Liam Neeson, on The History Channel.

[ dissolve to Liam Neeson ]

Liam Neeson: Good evening. I'm Liam Neeson. "The Last Temptation of Christ." "The Passion of the Christ." "Jesus Christ Superstar." Films that tell the story of the carpenter from Nazareth, AKA: Jesus. To varying degrees of historical accuracy. Perhaps, the most controversial film about the life of Christ, is probably one you've never heard of. Because it was never released. Shot in 1974, "J.C. Godson & Co." was directed by - and starred - one Benjamin Alfred Hill. Better known.. as Benny Hill.

[ dissolve to photo of Will Forte disguised as Benny Hill, posed as his Fred Scuttle character, with hand to head in playful mock salute ]

Primarily known for his naughty slapstick routine, Hill hoped the film would prove to critics that he could act. Here now, a never-before-seen clip from Hill's epic, "J.C. Godson & Co."

[ dissolve to clip ]

[ holy hymnal music as we see Jesus crucified on the cross atop rock, with a pair of woman flanked in robes bowing before him ]

[ close-up of Jesus' face - Benny Hill in glasses giving the characteristic woe-is-me face as he hangs on the cross ]

[ cut back to wide shot, as the robes fall off the women, revealing bawdy bikini tops ]

[ cue "Yakkity Sax" and sound effects of girls laughing, as Jesus - still tied to cross - hops off the rock and begins to chase the bikini-clad girls ]

[ Jesus chases the girl across a field of grass and rocks ]

[ camera jump as the girls rise from behind the rocks, and Jesus continues the chase offscreen ]

[ Jesus runs back into frame, now being chased offscreen by the girls ]

[ return to frame as Jesus - separated from cross - chases after the girls, one of whom is tied to the cross instead ]

[ chase sequence is encircled and dissolved, as the music drowns out and we dissolve back to Liam Neeson ]

Liam Neeson: Needless to say, the film was a disaster. Paramount called it "Unwatchable" and "Not good." Beny Hill was emotionally crushed, dying just 18 years later. As for Jesus, though he died on the cross, he will always live forever on.. in film. For The History Channel, I'm Liam Neeson.

Announcer: Coming up next on The History Channel, "The History of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy."

[ambrose]

Ummm... anyone remember when SNL was having its guests run around tearing up pictures of the Pope and screaming to "fight the real enemy!"??

[IronJack]

This is the end of Saturday Night Live. Saturday Night Live is Dead.

[Nonstatist]

It sounds so off the wall as it were, to be harmless.

Pretty bad taste, actually, and much more pointed than they would have done 5 years ago. IMO, Hollywood's on a mission; against religion, traditional morality, etc ( am I really being paranoid?)

[GiveEmDubya]

SNL stopped being funny several years ago.

But I did see approximately 60 seconds of SNL tonight and that scene just happened to be in that time frame. I wasn't so much insulted, but I did find it ridiculously stupid and unnecessary, and I just saw "The Passion" a few hours ago, so I have a bit of a fresher opinion on the subject than I did yesterday.

I will say though that if SNL weren't so low in my book already, it would have crashed tonight (and not just for the Passion knock-off). None of it was funny. MAD TV has been the superior show for at least the last 4 years and is the only sketch comedy show I watch.

[kenth]

You're not paranoid (or, if you are, I am too). It does look to me like people are openly aligning themselves with either good or evil. I see it as a good thing. At least we can get out in the open which side everyone is on, and maybe less infiltration of all things that were once good.

[Blue_Ridge_Mtn_Geek]

They did a pretty good sendup of Martha Stewart too, with a few stray zingers at various other favorite targets here in FR -land:


Nightline

Ted Koppel.....Darrell Hammond
Chappell Hartridge.....Kenan Thompson
Kevin Henson.....Will Forte
Rosie O'Donnell.....Horatio Sanz
Martha Stewart.....Ana Gasteyer


[ open on Nightline animated graphics ]

Announcer: This is ABC News: Nightline. Reporting from Washington - Ted Koppel.

[ dissolve to Ted Koppel in the Nightline studio ]

Ted Koppel: Good evening. For years, she has told us the right way to fold napkins, and she's told us how to prune our perennials. But, now, a New York City jury has told her she'll be going to jail. Of course, I'm referring to Martha Stewart, guilty on four counts yesterday. Joining me tonight from New York City, Stewart case juror Chappell Hartridge.

Chappell Hartridge: Hey, Ted! How you feel?

Ted Koppel: I feel good. Mr. Hartridge, this deliberation, which should have dragged on for weeks, took only two days. How did you reach your decision?

Chappell Hartridge: Well.. with the quality and the quantity of the information we had before us, we were able to quickly able to arrive at the conclusion.. that we wanted to be out of there by the weekend.

Ted Koppel: Do you understand the ramifications of your actions? You're subjecting a 62-year-old woman to a possible 20-year prison sentence.

Chappell Hartridge: Ah, I mean we did what we thought was best - for whitey.

Ted Koppel: Mr. Hartridge, prison is a dangerous place. I mean, have you ever rented that movie "Cool Hand Luke"?

Chappell Hartridge: Uhh.. no, I have not.

Ted Koppel: Well, it's rough stuff. In your opinion, could Martha Stewart eat fifty hard-boiled eggs, and survive a night in the box?

Chappell Hartridge: [ without much thought ] I think she could.

Ted Koppel: [ nods ] I think you're right. Also joining us tonight, is a junior analyst with Merrill-Lynch, the brokerage that represented Ms. Stewart - Kevin Henson Mr. Henson, you're a young broker - was it a fair verdict?

Kevin Henson: Ted, I think this decision sends a clear and, ultimately, good message to all of us on Wall Street. And that is, uh, simply: Martha Stewart got what she deserved, because she's a huuuge bitch!

Ted Koppel: [ stunned ] I'm sorry?

Kevin Henson: That's right. Martha Stewart is a big, giant bitch! And now she's gonna be a jail bitch! Yep!

Ted Koppel: Okay, Mr. Henson --

Kevin Henson: Wait, wait! Let me finish, Ted!

Ted Koppel: Alright..

Kevin Henson: Okay, I hope this leads to a giant bitch hunt! And we go after Hillary. Yeah! Hillary Clinton is a bitch! A massive bitch! She needs to go to jail! Yeah. And, who else, uh.. Yoko! Yoko is a bitch for breaking up one of the most awesome rock bands of all time. Jane Fonda? Bitch! Dr. Laura? big radio bitch! Oprah? Bitch from way back, I always thought she was a bitch! Susan Luderman? The biggest bitch of all time!

Ted Koppel: Who's Susan Luderman..? I'm afriad I don't know any Susan Luderman..

Kevin Henson: She's my boss, Ted. She is a monster bitch! I hate her!

Ted Koppel: Oh. Is it possible, sir, you may have a problem with powerful women?

Kevin Henson: Don't be a bitch, Ted!

Ted Koppel: Also joining me, from her home in upstate New York - comedienne/political activist Rosie O'Donnell.

Rosie O'Donnell: I'm very angry, Ted!

Ted Koppel: Ms. O’Donnell.. Ms. O'Donnell, where were you when you heard the verdict?

Rosie O'Donnell: I was in New Mexico officiating a lesbian bris. When Parker came to me and said, "Mommies! Mommies! The cooie lady's going to jail!" I got right on a plane!

Ted Koppel: And, Rosie, do you think that Martha Stewart has been the victim of a witch hunt, so to speak?

Rosie O'Donnell: Absolutely, Ted! But I'm doing everything I can to rally support for her. I'm writing a Broadway musical called "Marthaaaaa!" And I'm going to shoot these koosh balls at people.. who don't agree with me! [ fires off a couple of koosh balls ] And, also.. I’m starting a cruise line exclusively for persecuted female billionaires and their same-sex spouses.

Ted Koppel: What does that even mean?

Rosie O'Donnell: It means I bought a boat! And.. I'm also gonna buy a house of pies! For Martha!

Kevin Henson: Ted, uh.. I would like to point out that Ms. O'Donnell is a lezzy and a bitch!

Rosie O'Donnell: [ incensed ] Up yours, pallie! I spend more money on jean jackets in one year than you make in your life!

[ Kevin Henson gives Rosie O'Donnell a "So what kind of accomplishment is that?" shrug ]

Ted Koppel: clearly, this is a divisive issue. Joining us now, in an exclusive interview, the woman at the epicenter of this earthquake - newly-convicted felon Martha Stewart.

Martha Stewart: It's good to be here, Ted.

Ted Koppel: Martha, what is going through your mind.. at a time like this?

Martha Stewart: Modeled, gray cinder block walls.. rough-hewn tangerine jumpsuits.. a timeworn mid-century commmode, to be shared in plain view of others. I’m Martha Stewart. And I’m on a boatload of anti-anxiety medication right now. It’s a good thing.

Ted Koppel: Martha, have the ramifications of this case hit home yet? You're probably going to be spending at least 18 months in jail.

Martha Stewart: Ted, I sincerely doubt I'll do any real time. Also, if I'm in jail, who's going to teach American women how to store their decorative holiday acorns?

Ted Koppel: Who, indeed, Miss Stewart? you're headed up the river. The big house. The stony lonesome.Have you made a shiv? Will you join the Aryan brotherhood? Have you ever heard of a Blanket Party?

Martha Stewart: Is that anything like a cookie swap?

Ted Koppel: No. A Blanket Party is a prison term for throwing a blanket over a squealer’s head so he can’t identify you when you beat him with a pipe.

Martha Stewart: Oh. That. I’ve been doing that for years. I didn’t know there was a name for it!

Ted Koppel: Martha.. are you scared?

Martha Stewart: Frankly, Ted.. from the way it's been described to me, prison life won't be much different from what I'm used to. I'll be awakened at 5:20 a.m., lift weights in the yard, work in the kitchen for several hours, make someone my bitch, then sit quietly in a dark room until morning.

Ted Koppel: Final thoughts? Any remorse?

Martha Stewart: Well, generally, Ted.. I think remorse is for wussie-pusses. But, yes.. if I had to do it all over again, if I were back on that plane and I got that message to sell N-Clone.. I think I would definitely pick up the phone, and say, "Live! From New York! It's Saturday Night!"

[Blue_Ridge_Mtn_Geek]

NJ Catholic priest was so appalled by Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ'' that he described the film as "religious barbarism.'' "I saw it as religious barbarism ... in my opinion, God did not send his son to die,''

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Clerics like this always make me laugh. If he had any sense of honor or decency, given that he rejects a basic doctrine of his church, he would quit and get himself an honest job.