Thursday, February 12, 2009

Thou Shalt Be Classy

I've been blessed with the opportunity to host two radio shows. Both programs air on secular stations and both are produced by Brent "Bandy Boo" O'Brien (http://mattandramona.1079thelink.com/cast/detail.cfm;jsessionid=a630e54e758fd42582167a22157636a1d601?ID=11). "The Matt and Ramona Show" can best be described as a raucous version of "Regis and Kelly." My co-host, Matt Harris, practically bounces off the walls while we are on the air. Don't believe me? Check out the webcam sometime (http://mattandramona.1079thelink.com/cameras/index.cfm;jsessionid=a630a5ed5821fb127e0a1e321c42565b577c). If there was a national contest for making sexual innuendos I doubt anyone could beat him. The other program is called, "The Satisfied Life (http://www.thesatisfiedlifenetwork.com/)." My co-hosts are Pam Stone, a comedian and Sharon Decker, a minister. We like to think of the show as a fun, faith-based version of "The View."

It wasn't until I started co-hosting the faith-based show that I began receiving messages like this one from a woman named Sue:

"I listened to your show Living the Satisfied Life this past Sunday and I thought to myself, Ramona is a classy woman. Sure you are funny, open and intelligent however this show really shows the listeners that you have class. Do you find that you struggle with doing a Faith Based Show on Sunday and then participate in shows like the one today? I frankly don't find it classy to hear how people get hurt while engaging in physical activity with their mates."

Sue, both shows are a collaborative effort and both target adults. Matt brings his outrageous sense of humor to my weekdays and Pam (www.pamstoneshow.com) brings her silly humor to my weekends. However, no matter who I'm sharing a studio with, I'm the same struggling, imperfect Christian. I don't consider conversations about sex to be anti-Christian. I believe encouraging people to go out and have risky, meaningless sex would disappoint God.

Some might think I'm just trying to justify the times when the content of "The Matt and Ramona Show" isn't exactly what you'll be hearing during next Sunday's sermon (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14931577/). Perhaps I am. But when I get "thanks for the laugh" e-mails from a woman who is unemployed and fearful about her future or from a man who is watching his wife endure painful chemo, I have believe that the laughter they've been given by "The Matt and Ramona" show is a blessing. However, I must admit that if God had to choose between the shows, He'd probably be partial to "The Satisfied Life." Sharon's Weekly Word (www.thetapestrygroup.com) always manages to get me choked up or make me think long and hard about how I'm living my life.

Being a part of both of these shows is only a religious conflict when I feel I haven't done my best to express my values. Most of the time the topics that get fellow Christians riled up fall into the category of what you consider good taste or poor taste. Will hearing a listener share a story about a REALLY bad night of love-making with her hubby keep us out of heaven? I don't think so. Our views of what is acceptable for Christians to discuss, wear, drink, read and do are as varied as the names of our churches (http://www.churchofchristusa.com/Archives/old%20sermons/Personal%20Christian%20Conduct.htm). Thankfully, come judgement day, when God runs down the list of commandments "thou shalt be classy" won't be on the list.

3 comments:

It's Me said...

Great post. I think you are one of the few people in Charlotte that ALWAYS shows class - no matter what show you are co-hosting.

You're the best!

Life as I see it

RomanDA said...

You are a total class act, now Matt?? LOL You know every christian struggles with these same issues, and you show us a classy way to handle things! You are awesome!

Julie said...

I listen to both of your shows and I personally think you show class regarldless of the topic. As for the content of The Matt and Ramona show, it is a show for adults. Speaking about sexuality, expressing your sexuality and finding humor in sexuality is not offensive nor does it show lacking in moral character.
That kind of additude (Sue's) is what teaches young people that sex is dirty and meant to be hidden away instead of celebrated lovingly.