Recently, BYUtv’s “Studio C” posted a sketch on YouTube called “AMC’s Breaking Bad for Kids,” which was also featured on the Deseret News website. The sketch is a parody of the TV show “Breaking Bad,” a series about a high school teacher turned drug dealer. The TV episodes receive a TV-14 rating, but the unedited Netflix and DVD versions have an R-rating due to sexual content, graphic violence, pervasive language and drug content.
The “Studio C” parody replaces the word “meth” with “math.” Despite the clever play on words, much of the sketch depicts scenes from the drug subculture. The “Studio C” version, however funny it was intended to be, still promotes the show it parodies.
My wife and I were shocked to see such a sketch come from a show which, according to its own website, is affiliated with Brigham Young University, KBYU and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My wife commented on the sketch via “Studio C’s” Facebook page and received the following response:
“The cast is always working to create comedy that is both family friendly and topical. The cast usually writes material aimed at a college/adult audience, though we appreciate how much small children have become fans of ‘Studio C.’ ‘Breaking Bad’ had a huge effect on the American pop culture landscape. … It's already become one of our most popular YouTube videos of the season … we hope this sketch is seen and shared by ‘Breaking Bad’ fans all across America, thus introducing them to ‘Studio C’ and the values of BYU and the Church. Deseret News just published a story about the sketch ….”
The main arguments in the response are: that “Studio C” is not just for children, that this particular sketch was intended to be a missionary tool for the LDS Church and that even the Deseret News endorses this sketch.
First, “Studio C” says they strive to make the show “family friendly,” and acknowledge that “small children have become fans.” “Studio C” should feel a moral obligation to make material that is appropriate for all ages and true to the principles of the LDS Church and BYU with which it is affiliated. Any reference to a vulgar, violent and pornographic TV show, even if in parody, is a violation of that obligation. Nothing good can come from references to something so foul.
Second, the response states that the sketch is “one of [their] most popular YouTube videos.” I know of no teachings of the LDS Church or any BYU policy that encourages alignment with popular culture. The morals and values of American popular culture are increasingly found in opposition to the principles of Christ’s gospel. Those who strive to follow Jesus Christ cannot afford to seek the praise of the world or to be popular in its eyes.
Finally, the suggestion that the sketch is intended as a missionary tool to introduce “Breaking Bad” fans “to the values of … the church” is simply ludicrous. Good people are drawn to the values of the gospel of Christ because they are pure and true, not because they mimic the wickedness of the world.
Our family believed “Studio C” to be wholesome entertainment. We cannot believe that the LDS Church, BYUtv or BYU would knowingly endorse this type of content. We hope that this was a case of bad judgment and not a trend toward worldly acclaim and popularity.