Comments on: Laguna Beach and the Schullers

By: Susan Jenkins

Susan Jenkins — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 11:03:52 +0000

I live in Asia, do a lot of traveling throughout third world countries, and return to California about once a year for a short visit. While watching a few “reality t.v.” shows with my niece and nephew, I happened to watch the episode with Christina Schuller being discussed here. She seemed like a perfectly normal, nice girl. Her parents gave her a Bible, and offered words of sound advice before she left on an outdoor adventure trip or something with her friends. I don’t think the big deal is any sort of problem or inconsistency on behalf of ministers and in the message they offer, but there is a much larger issue I would question: What are “reality shows” supposed to be, anyway? It’s a strange and confusing concept, and seems to be representative of a new culture in America that is totally desperate for something meaningful to do. Why are intelligent and well-educated people so glued to a mechanical box, watching the lives of other people that obviously subsitute for living a real life of their own? It just doesn’t seem all that interesting to me, frankly, and while I understand how it could become addictive and might be occasionally entertaining, it is amazing to think that people really take it that seriously. Does watching a “real life” somehow make wasting one’s own life more acceptable?There’s a whole world out here…and it has nothing to do with a television show, scripted or unscripted. It’s sad to me to see the way the T.V. shows have literally stepped in to take the place of living a real life. And, what’s more…the whole world is trying to model itself on these shows. It’s a bit scary to think that these boring, unrealistic “reality shows” are one of the main messages America presents to a world that is very much aware and watching.
What a sad statement it all makes for ourselves. The question doesn’t revolve around the Schullers’ ministry or personal bank accounts: it revolves around a culture that has allowed itself to get to this point.
I think it would be better to simply boycott ridiculous “reality shows” like this and to find ways to teach or reteach our culture to get out and experience their own lives, to create and maintain their own ideals and dreams, to start learning about the world and what is really happening to the majority of the worlds’ people. Life in this world is NOTHING like Laguna Beach!!!! And my guess is that most of the people living in Laguna Beach don’t spend a lot of their time sitting around in darkened rooms, staring at a T.V. If people who waste time watching these useless shows knew how most of the worlds’ population lives, what their daily lives are truly like…they would be surprised, embarrassed, and ~ hopefully, motivated to spend their time and energies a bit differently.
My hunch is that the average Laguna Beach citizen would strongly agree with me.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Sun, 26 Jun 2005 00:42:05 +0000

You people are so judgemental! I mean, it’s just a show and she wasn’t exactly the “wild child” of the series anyway. Instead of going to Cabo she went to audition for a job. Instead of getting a new car for her graduation she got a bible! Give me a break. She wasn’t exactly dancing on tables! Some of you are a bit prudish!

By: Stewart

Stewart — Mon, 20 Dec 2004 23:01:21 +0000

I find it very interesting that so called “christians” are passing judgement about Christina and her family. That is no ones place but God’s to do. So I suggest that all of you remember that.

By: Noel

Noel — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 07:04:12 +0000

First of all if you actually watched that scene, it’s Christina’s older sister who pokes fun at a small PORTION of her father’s sermon in which he makes a reference to the movie The Karate Kid, a very silly reference by the way, not scripture. Also when she says she’s “glad that’s over” she’s refering to singing in front of the congregation, in the episode she expresses nervousness about singing at the Cathedral that day. I think people are reading too much into the behavior of a teenager in a so-called reality show. Christina Schuller has not done anything on Laguna Beach that her parents should be ashamed of. Plenty of Christian teenagers are able to be faithful and good people even though they listen to rap music and mock their parents every once in a while, which is extremly normal. Also if you have actually been watching the series you would know that Christina has made it a point to extricate herself not only from the more inappropriate activities her peers participate in, but also from them as well.

By: NYC

NYC — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 19:28:59 +0000

boo hoo…she sang a rap song and said something about her father…waaaah-waaaah…people pleease let a 17 yr old act like a 17yr old….shes not some angel that she has to act a certain way…wow…people you really need and i stress this NEED TO GET LIVES!!!

By: Johnny

Johnny — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 23:21:15 +0000

I’m not surprised how the MTV program distorts reality in their so-called reality show, but, I’m surprised how many folks fall for it. The real Laguna Beach is hardly home of the “elite rich” as it is painted, and the Schullers are hardly the folks that the show gives the impression of. I should know, I live there, and I do so on a 60k a year salary. Christina’s family only recently moved to Laguna, and the house they bought was, shall we say, a real eyesore, a fixer-upper of the worst kind, though it had a decent view. They put a lot of sweat equity into the house, doing a lot of the work themselves. But of course, people will think what they want to think. Yet the show portrays them as financial moguls. They’re not poor, but they’re not rich either. The family is pleasant, polite, and genuine, whenever we neighbors run into them. They’re not flashy, not artificial, and caring. We need more neighbors like them. And we need shows like the MTV fare to portray the folks on reality shows in a more realistic manner. Then again, if they didn’t edit the show in a certain fashion, the show would probably be boring, and fail. So what to do? make it interesting via editing, regardless of whether it’s an accurate portrayal or not.
At least Laguna Beach high school had the sense to ban the MTV crew from filming on their campus.

By: K

Thu, 02 Dec 2004 22:43:46 +0000

Those of you saying that Christina talks about sex on the show are wrong and obviously either don’t watch the show, or don’t pay any attention because not once does she say anything about needing more sex. And just because she makes some comments about her father’s sermon doesn’t mean that she is criticizing the bible or the church..she is simply saying how she feels about the way her father is preaching. Get over it..she is young and should having the right to say what she wants regardless of who her father happens to be. He chose that profession, not her.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 20:39:56 +0000

she never mentioned having sex or anything in the show. she is one of the only virgins out of her group of friends.

By: Fr. Brian Stanley

Fr. Brian Stanley — Fri, 26 Nov 2004 11:49:45 +0000

Christina’s behavior reinforces my commitment to celibacy.

By: A Steve

A Steve — Wed, 24 Nov 2004 16:49:54 +0000

That show sounds awesome.