HBO

Mondo Times editors    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 12:47am on Monday, November 2nd, 2009

On October 29, 2009, a prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization called on HBO to apologize for an episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" in which the main character splattered urine on a painting of Jesus.

In a letter to HBO Chairman and CEO Bill Nelson, Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) wrote:

"It is beyond tasteless to insult the religious sensibilities of billions of people in America and around the world with such a cheap and vulgar publicity stunt. Jesus, peace be upon him, is loved and revered by both Christians and Muslims. Muslims view him as one of God's greatest messengers to mankind.

"The Quran, Islam's revealed text, states: 'Behold! The angels said: "O Mary! God gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him. His name will be Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and in (the company of) those nearest to God.'' (The Holy Quran, 3:45)

"The Prophet Muhammad said: 'Both in this world and in the hereafter, I am the nearest of all people to Jesus, the son of Mary. The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.'

"We understand the drive for ratings, but no one benefits from such a crude attempt to boost the network's bottom line by manufacturing a religious controversy. HBO should apologize."

Awad added that American Muslim television viewers contacted CAIR to express their concerns about the HBO episode.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Eric Kallgren    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 3:08pm on Monday, February 23rd, 2009

February 23, 2009: HBO has signed writer and director John Sayles to write its upcoming drama "Scar Tissue," based on the childhood of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Keidis. The series will take place in 1970's West Hollywood and Los Angeles.

Eric Kallgren    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 1:58pm on Sunday, February 8th, 2009

On February 5, 2009, Broadcasting & Cable magazine reported that HBO has hired Joe Buck for a new sports talk show:

"HBO is tapping Fox sportscaster Joe Buck to host a new sports based talk show for the pay cabler. The move by HBO comes just a day after the network lost its longtime face of sports coverage Bob Costas to MLB Network.

Development of the new show is still very early in the process and will debut in May. While it will be sports based, Buck says the show will also feature comedy sketches and elements.

HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg also says he expects to keep the live audience and town hall format utilized in Bob Costas' signature program, Costas Now. Greenburg says the network is expecting to run four, 90-minute episodes a year once it gets up and running."