A COLUMN BY Dick Rolfe Chairman, THE DOVE FOUNDATION

July 2000

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A Dove Foundation Progress Report

The past few months have been very productive, not to mention exciting,  in several respects. Dove’s efforts over the last nine and a half years to influence Popular Culture on behalf of concerned families are bearing fruit.  We have witnessed several Firsts in film and television.

 New Line Cinema’s home video division released the first family-edited version of a major theatrical film in history - “The Mask,” starring Jim Carrey, to which Dove awarded our “Family-Edited” Seal.  We are working with New Line to identify several additional movies to release in edited versions. Hopefully, we will see other studios follow suit with many more family edited videos coming out soon.

 ABC Television called and asked Dove to help them promote a brand new animated special about the life of Jesus called “The Miracle Maker.”  We pulled out the stops and phoned, e-mailed and wrote letters to every ministry and pro-family leader that we are acquainted with. We asked them to sound the trumpets and get out the “troops” to see this wonderful Claymation story of Jesus. The campaign resulted in strong ratings for the TV Special. “The Miracle Maker” aired on Easter Sunday evening in the time slot usually reserved for “Wonderful World of Disney.” It was rated number one with adults ages 18-49 and children from age 5-11. ABC has signed to show “The Miracle Maker” for the next three Easters.  Wow! What a victory for the Faith community!    

 Not to be outdone, CBS aired a miniseries entitled, “Jesus” May 14th and 17th. In spite of several theological errors that detracted from the story, this four hour program presented an overall positive portrayal of Jesus. The miniseries ranks as the most-watched miniseries of the season, with an estimated 24 million viewers, finishing just ahead of  ABC’s “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” You would almost think that the television networks are gaining respect for the sizable audience represented by the religious community.

 Next, ABC asked us to review “The Three Stooges,” a biography of the famous slapstick trio. Dove Movie reporter, Phil Boatwright caught a profane word in the dialogue in the working print he reviewed. We notified ABC that we could not award the Dove Seal to this otherwise family-friendly special if the profanity remained. We were notified that the objectionable phrase was cut by ABC’s Broadcast Standards and Practices Department. They thanked us and said, “ABC does not take the Lord’s name in vain.” Wow, again! 

 These are significant changes in the way Hollywood does things, and we should not remain quiet in our revelry.  Let’s begin by writing ABC and CBS and New Line Home Video. Congratulate them for their bold moves. Then participate as consumers by buying the videos. That’s how we can vote as members of the viewing public.

ABC Entertainment
Judith Tukich, Director Special Projects
2040 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA  90067

CBS Entertainment
Leslie Moonves, President
7800 Beverly Rd
Los Angeles, CA  90036

New Line Home Video
Stephen Einhorn, President
116 North Robertson Rd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048