GCB: Desperate Christian Housewives | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

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Christianity Today, March, 2012

GCB: Desperate Christian Housewives

New primetime soap targets gossip in the church.

Mark Moring | posted 3/01/2012 10:23AM

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When ABC announced its intent to create a show called Good Christian Bitches—based on the popular Kim Gatlin book of the same name—some faith-based groups complained that such a title has no place on prime time television. ABC proceeded as planned, albeit with a concession: They changed the title to Good Christian Belles. Now they've changed it again, settling on GCB, but with no explanation of what the letters stand for.

Leslie Bibb as Amanda

No matter. What matters is whether the show (Sundays, 10/9c, premiering March 4; watch the trailer) is true to the spirit of Gatlin's book, which shines the spotlight on the ugly practice of gossip among believers—in her case, a circle of wealthy Southern Baptist housewives in a Dallas suburb. Gatlin has said that her novel, based on her true experiences, doesn't mock God, but "those of us who love God and don't always make the best choices to honor him." It isn't well written, but it boldly calls attention—even while dripping with satire—to one of the church's "lesser" sins, albeit a persistent and prevalent one.

If Sunday's pilot episode of GCB is any indication, it not only highlights the problem of gossip in the church, but underscores it with audacity and an exclamation point.

The story is told from the perspective of Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb), a Dallas native who was the ultimate Mean Girl in high school. But she'd spent most of her adult life in California raising a family—until her philandering husband is killed in a car wreck in the pilot's opening scene. Amanda and her teenage kids, Laura and Will, move back to Dallas, where her wealthy mother welcomes her daughter home with open arms. As Amanda pulls into the driveway, former schoolmate Carlene Cockburn (Kristin Chenoweth) glares through a pair of binoculars from across the street. She picks up the phone, calls a friend, and smirks, "Well, well, well, Amanda Vaughn's back in town." The voice at the other end of the line says, "And she's single, too!"

And just like that, the gossip machine is already overheating. Several more women—all ridiculously wealthy suburbanites—join the fray, but Carlene eventually ends it with self-righteous smarm: "Ladies, it is not appropriate to speak of such things on the phone." Pause. "I'll see you in church." It's clear where this conversation will resume.

Kristin Chenoweth as Carlene

Chenoweth, a multitalented Christian who has starred on TV (The West Wing) and Broadway (Wicked), steals the show as the ultimate, well, you know what that "B" stands for. With her brazen hypocrisy, Carlene—a faithful churchgoer who cites Scripture and has "HOLY ONE" on her license plate, but is also the biggest gossip of them all—personifies GCB's premise. She's always jumping to conclusions, assuming the worst in people—and is the first to spread it around. But on Sunday mornings, she's singing hymns in the choir and praying aloud before the congregation. Even then, she finds a way to slander her neighbor. Ah, but haven't we all, in the name of "prayer requests"?

The hour-long show has something of a Desperate Housewives-for-Christians vibe. It's both a soap and a comedy—often laugh-out-loud funny, sometimes cringe-inducing raunchy. There's plenty of emphasis on the "B" in the title, but it's not completely devoid of "G" or even "C." One woman who initially joined the attack on Amanda begins to soften, hinting at some transformation. And Amanda, more concerned about character than appearance, shows great love for her family and (mostly) exercises patience with her peers. She thanks God for a "second chance" and his "blessing of forgiveness."

Viewers can decide for themselves if they think these women are "good" or "Christian," though the b-word certainly applies to many. But it would behoove all of us to at least ask ourselves, "Do I ever do that? Am I guilty of gossip?" May we, as well as these fictional characters, ever gravitate more toward the "G" and the "C," and away from the "B."

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March 2012, Vol. 56, No. 3, Page 52

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mike falsia(Registered User)

March 12, 2012 11:01am

How pathetic is it for someone to actually use this as a means for profesed Christian women to examine their faith? Is Mr. Moring serious? I suppose he is. No matter how vigilant one may be in her persuit of godliness and whatever level of maturity she may attain by the grace of God it is certain the wicked will always find a way to mock and imply that Christians are in reality no better than anyone else. Regardless how much we strugle with remaining sin the child of God possess a divine nature in conversion that the world can not understand nor do they desire to understand! And if a believer must watch a program designed by the prince of darknes to measure their obedience to the word of God then what kind of Church do they attend? That is in itself an ominous condition to be in! Has Christ no power to properly sanctify His people that they must take notice of how His enemies wish to portray those he redeemed however imperfect? Dear Christian women look to Christ and His word alone!

DELWYN X CAMPBELL(Registered User)

March 09, 2012 9:14am

Whether this sin exists or not is irrelevant. ABC TV is not interested in building up the Body of Christ, nor is it interested in restoring a brother or a sister who is overtaken in a tresspass. ABC is only interested in making money, and making fun of Christians makes money. I say we should treat the sponsors of this program to the only message they understand, withholding of our money from their products until they withhold their money from ABC.

Mark Moring(Registered User)

March 08, 2012 5:46pm

Quentin: Are you saying that gossip is NOT a common problem in the church? Then PLEASE sign me up for your church; I want to see that in action. That's a miracle. And what an absurd comparison: Do you REALLY think that pastors molesting children is as common in the church as gossip? My goodness. Methinks you need a reality check.

Quentin Sheffield(Registered User)

March 05, 2012 2:40pm

I found your article apologetic and accepting of this series implied representation of Christian women to be normal, common, sinful behavior. I wonder if you would have been as accepting if it were titled "GCMP" (Good Child Molesting Pastors). Although sin does occur in the church, representing it as normal & accepting that is wrong. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:17 　 7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, 8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:7-8 I am disappointed as a long-time subscriber that I even had to send this to you.

Thomas Sutter(Registered User)

March 05, 2012 10:43am

I wonder what would happen if one of the major networks offered, in prime time, on a Friday evening, a program with the exact same premise but with Moslem women?

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