# Specific Denominations on TV Shows **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 13, 2006, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972 "2006-12-13T16:46:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Reloy3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c68b51/32.png) [@Reloy3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reloy3)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/1 "2006-12-13T16:46:52Z")
The thread about Athiests and Agnostics on TV [(here)](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=399628) got me wondering about the other side of the coin. How many recurring characters belong to or believe in specific denominations or sub-sects? I imagine there are some specific examples (I think the Simpsons and the Hills from _King of the Hill_ are Lutheran) but in general, it seems that most characters fall into three broad catagories: 1. TV shows where religion is essential to the central concept (_Amen_, _Father Murphy_, _Big Love_). The denomination is specifically set out as part of the shows premise. These shows are few and far between. 2. The characters religious belief and group affiliation is implied (a clergy-man comes over for dinner, they seem to celebrate Christmas), but seems to be some general non-specified protestant (little p) group. 3. Any religious belief is never addressed (the vast majority of TV shows (IMHO). Other than the _King of The Hill_ and _Simpsons_ mentioned above, I remember that the family on _Just the Ten of Us_ went to a Catholic School where the Dad was a teacher, but I really can’t think of any more. Can any dopers think of any specific denominational identification of any TV characters that are not central to the show’s concept? Any minority or non-traditional groups? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/2 "2006-12-13T16:52:23Z")
The Simpsons (and the Flanderses and most other characters in the show) belong to an unspecified Christian church – presumably Protestant, since Rev. Lovejoy is married. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/3 "2006-12-13T16:53:34Z")
On that Tim Allen series…can’t recall the name…the one where he does “Tool Time” as a show within the show…the family is somewhat religious. Christmas shows have shown the family attending a protestant church–possibly Methodist…but fairly sedate, low key stuff. Think one of the kids is an acolyte or something. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/4 "2006-12-13T16:55:37Z")
Not a minority demonination, but the first ADA character in Law and Order, Ben Stone (Michael Moriarity) occasiionally identified himself as Catholic. ---
**Author:** ![Electronic\_Chaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Electronic\_Chaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electronic_Chaos)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/5 "2006-12-13T17:18:03Z")
I think I remember from when I used to watch 7th Heaven with my family that they’re Episcopalian. It’s been awhile though. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/6 "2006-12-13T17:30:45Z")
The Barrones (Everybody is annoyed by Ray) are Catholic. As is Carla on Cheers Donna went to catholic school (though you don’t have to be catholic to go to catholic school, I’m guessing Pinciattis are) Brian ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/7 "2006-12-13T17:33:34Z")
The Fishers in “Six Feet Under” were Episcopalian. On Law and Order, in addition to Ben Stone being Catholic, so was Jack McCoy. The Hills in King of the Hill aren’t Lutheran…they attend Arlen First Methodist, as do most of the other main characters (except for Kahn, who’s Buddhist). ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/8 "2006-12-13T17:40:54Z")
I thought the Simpsons were Episcopresbylutheran or somesuch amalgamation. I maintain that _The Simpsons_ is one of the most religious shows on TV (in a positive sense). Michael Schofield from _Prison Break_ is apparently Catholic (he went to confession in one recent episode). Come to think of it, his friend Fernando Sucre is also apparently Catholic. ---
**Author:** ![Papermache\_Prince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Papermache\_Prince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Papermache_Prince)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/9 "2006-12-13T17:42:51Z")
If memory serves, _The Waltons_ went to church regularly (except for the father). Was it established that it was a Baptist church or another denomination? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/10 "2006-12-13T17:43:47Z")
On _The West Wing_, the religion of some characters were mentioned. Jed Bartlett and Matt Santos were Catholics. Josh Lyman and Toby Ziegler were Jewish. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/11 "2006-12-13T17:44:31Z")
Sophia and Dorothy from _The Golden Girls_ are Catholic. I think Blanche was identified as Southern Baptist and Rose as Lutheran. The Hills from HOTH are Methodists. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/12 "2006-12-13T18:24:18Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] The Simpsons (and the Flanderses and most other characters in the show) belong to an unspecified Christian church – presumably Protestant, since Rev. Lovejoy is married. [/QUOTE] It’s explicitly Protestant, even if you ignore the marriage and the fact that he’s Reverend Lovejoy, not Father Timothy. There was an episode where Bart was sent to Catholic school and he and Homer both converted. Their specific denomination - and specific it is! - is named in that episode: The Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/13 "2006-12-13T18:35:26Z")
Oh, it just occurred to me - everyone in South Park who’s not Jewish or Mormon (and maybe the dude who runs City Wok), are apparently Catholic. Or at least Christian of sufficiently generic faith that they don’t mind attending the Catholic church. ---
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/14 "2006-12-13T18:41:58Z")
The Sopranos are Catholic, as are the Gavins on _Rescue Me_. In general, Italian, Irish, or Hispanic characters tend to be portrayed as Catholics or lapsed Catholics. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/15 "2006-12-13T18:46:26Z")
In **Picket Fences** , it was expressly stated that the Brock family were Congregationalists. There was also a Catholic church in the town, naturally\*, and the Pope even came to visit. And, of course, Douglas Wambaugh was Jewish. \*It was set in Rome, Winsconsin. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/16 "2006-12-13T18:56:41Z")
[QUOTE=Otto] The Hills from HOTH are Methodists. [/QUOTE] Peggy says so in the episode where she pretends to be a nun to get a job teaching at a Catholic school. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/17 "2006-12-13T23:02:50Z")
[QUOTE=Papermache Prince] If memory serves, _The Waltons_ went to church regularly (except for the father). Was it established that it was a Baptist church or another denomination? [/QUOTE] Baptist, I’m fairly sure. The Finnertys in _Grounded for Life_ were Catholics (natch) and sent their kids to Catholic school. Peter Griffin of _Family Guy_ is Catholic and Lois is Protestant – I remember that from the episode where his incredibly bigoted father came to visit. (When Peter and Lois got married, Dad added “To a Protestant whore!” to the “Just Married” sign on the back of their getaway limo.) On _Cheers,_ both Woody and Kelly were Lutherans – and there was a big blowup when it turned out they were different **kinds** of Lutherans! Jerry Seinfeld was – Methodist, right? No, Presbyterian. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/18 "2006-12-13T23:12:09Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Peter Griffin of _Family Guy_ is Catholic and Lois is Protestant – I remember that from the episode where his incredibly bigoted father came to visit. (When Peter and Lois got married, Dad added “To a Protestant whore!” to the “Just Married” sign on the back of their getaway limo.) [/quote] Protestant isn’t specific though. All it means is that she is not Catholic or Orthodox. > [@](#): > > Jerry Seinfeld was – Methodist, right? No, Presbyterian. At the risk that was a woosh…Seinfeld is jewish. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/19 "2006-12-13T23:20:01Z")
Ever since Marlena was possessed, it seems like everyone on _Days of Our Lives_ is Catholic. What? ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972/20 "2006-12-13T23:28:30Z")
[QUOTE=Tengu] Their specific denomination - and specific it is! - is named in that episode: The Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism. [/QUOTE] To be even more specific, the Presbeylutherans broke away from the Catholic Church on an argument about whether or not you can attend church with wet hair. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-denominations-on-tv-shows/383972.md?page=2)