pop culture Archives

Charlie Sheen is My Neighbor

Admittedly, we don’t have much in common.

We were born years apart, he to parents of great means and me to parents grasping to make ends meet and an alcoholic father in search of meaning itself.

We’ve been going our separate ways ever since.

I’m happily married. He’s not. I enjoy a warm and loving relationship with my boys; the courts dictate when he sees his.

I attend church. He doesn’t. It’s not that he doesn’t believe in God.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture March 4, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

On the brink of March Madness, college basketball’s high season, we learn that Brigham Young University’s star forward, Brandon Davies, has been removed from the team for an “Honor Code” violation. According to last night’s Salt Lake City Tribune, Davies admitted to engaging in premarital sex.

BYU is currently ranked #3 in the nation, and the Davies suspension deals a severe blow to the Cougar’s chance at competing for a national championship.

Across the sports spectrum, from ESPN to talk radio to the blogosphere, the debate has begun:

Is it fair to kick a guy off a winning team for a violation of this nature?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: news, pop culture, sex March 3, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Should Boys Wrestle Girls?

This is a story about three people: a 16-year-old boy named Joel Northrup, a 14-year-old girl named Cassy Herkleman and popular ESPN columnist, Rick Reilly.

For context, Joel and Cassy are high school wrestlers from Iowa; Rick is a talented and often humorous sportswriter, prone to zany antics. (He was so certain our Colorado Rockies wouldn’t make the playoffs in 2009 that he threatened to lick Denver’s Capitol dome if they did. They did – and he did.)

That said, this story is really more about the distinctives surrounding gender than it is about these three individuals – or wrestling itself.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, pop culture February 23, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Justin Bieber’s Scandal

Are any of your kids “Beliebers” – i.e. fans of singer Justin Bieber?

In pop music circles, Mr. Bieber is a big deal. An overnight sensation whose music was first posted online, the sixteen year-old also has a new movie out. Opening two weeks ago, the film has already grossed nearly $50 million.

But according to the New York Times art critic Jon Caramanica, Mr. Bieber has big-time trouble brewing.

A scandal? Drugs? Sex? A family feud?

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, news, pop culture, pro-life February 22, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Justin Bieber and Abortion

Are any of your kids (or you) “Beliebers” – i.e. fans of singer Justin Bieber?

But according to the New York Times art critic Jon Caramanica, Mr. Bieber has big-time trouble brewing. A scandal? Drugs? Sex?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, pop culture, pro-life February 22, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is Here

History repeats itself.

Back when I was in high school I can remember the buzz among friends surrounding the release of SI’s famed swimsuit edition. Over thirty years later people are still talking and arguing about this annual tradition. Turn on FOX News and you’re likely to hear them discussing it; try and buy a copy of the Wall Street Journal at an airport newsstand and you’ll be visually accosted with displays promoting this issue.

It would be easy to dismiss this year’s release with the trite observation that “sex sells” – a true statement.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, entertainment, pop culture, sex February 18, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Billy Ray Cyrus’ Regret

Even if you don’t follow pop culture, you’ve inevitably read or heard of the teen actress Miley Cyrus. Playing the wholesome character “Hannah Montana” on her popular Disney television show of the same name several years ago, Miss Cyrus was catapulted into entertainment’s stratosphere. She quickly became a marketer’s dream and was earning millions of dollars in TV, music and feature films. In the midst of her rapid ascent, though, she also found herself wrapped up in controversy, from being caught posing for provocative photographs to smoking a bong and taking hallucinogenic drugs.

Topics: Current Events Tags: parenting, pop culture February 16, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Update on Chick-fil-A

Back on January 28th I wrote that Indiana University had banned Chick-fil-A from its South Bend campus. University officials were concerned about Chick-fil-A’s donation of food to a marriage conference in Pennsylvania.

In essence, IU was offended that a vendor appeared to be in support of traditional mainstream (biblical) values.

Well, they are apparently offended no more. Chick-fil-A is back at Indiana University.

Raving fans rejoice!

“I heard from many students, faculty, staff, alumni and citizens from across the area, the state and the country,” said Chancellor Una Mae Reck.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, pop culture, religious liberty February 7, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Faith at Super Bowl XLV

I think I know who’s going to win the big game.

But first . . .

Over 100 million people will watch Sunday’s Super Bowl contest between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers. Many of you will be watching for the football. Many more will be watching for the commercials. And some, like my wife, will be indifferent, maybe stopping to catch a few plays or a few minutes here and there.

Jean is like many women, I think.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, events, faith, pop culture February 4, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Planned Parenthood Stung by Sting Operation

Everybody knows Planned Parenthood promotes and encourages abortion. But sex trafficking?

It is a convoluted and sad story:

Amy Woodruff, the clinic manager of a New Jersey Planned Parenthood office has been fired for aiding and abetting two people who posed as sex trafficking workers.

The undercover operation was organized by Lila Rose of Live Action, a youth-led movement dedicated to building a culture of life and ending abortion. Ms. Rose, a student at UCLA, founded Live Action in 2006.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, pop culture, pro-life, sex February 3, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Charlie Sheen is My Neighbor

Bounced By BYU’s Honor Code