Joy Junction

American children's television show

Joy Junction
GenreChildren's
Christian
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Running time30 minutes[1]
Original release
NetworkWCLF
Release1979 (1979)

Joy Junction was an American Christian television program for children produced by and initially broadcast on WCLF in Clearwater, Florida, beginning in 1979.[2] Episodes were also aired on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (worldwide) and FamilyNet, among others.[3][4][5] It is unclear when the show ended, though new episodes were still being produced as of 1990.[6]

In the show, a cast of characters led by Sheriff Don (played by Don MacAllister)[7] would teach children manners, values and Biblical history.[1] It was targeted at children 4 to 9 years of age.[1] Joy Junction encouraged children to send in mail weekly to receive Bible lessons and games.[8]

Controversy

The show became controversial and was pulled from broadcast after it was discovered that a prominent cast member, Ronald Brown, possessed child pornography and photos of dead children, and had expressed a desire to rape and cannibalize young boys.[9][10] Brown's character on the show was a ventriloquist with a dummy named Marty.[11] The pair taught children lessons about right and wrong, including about the supposed dangers of "dirty pictures" and "evil thoughts".[11] In doing so, Brown often interacted with children on set.[11]

Brown first drew police attention in 1998 when boys' underwear was found in his possession.[12] However, he was let go after claiming they were for his puppet.[12][13] In 2012, Brown was arrested, and he was subsequently sentenced to 20 years in prison for possession of child pornography and conspiracy to kidnap a child.[9] Brown died in 2020, years before his scheduled release. Since the show stopped airing reruns, almost all Joy Junction episodes are considered lost media today.[14]

Awards

Year Organization Category Result Ref.
Unknown Religion in Media Silver Angel for Excellence in Children's Programming Won [4]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Children's Television Programming Report". enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov. September 21, 2014. Archived from the original on June 16, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  2. ^ Pugh, Jeanne (October 27, 1979). "Nation's newest Christian TV station begins operations". St. Petersburg Times. p. Crossroads 1, 4, 5. Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Clark, Heather (August 6, 2012). "Puppeteer Who Wanted to Cook and Eat Children Exposed in Vast International Child Porn Ring". Christian News Network. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Biel, Jacquelyn (July 1990). "Programming Networks For LPN What's New?" (PDF). The LPTV Report. Vol. 5, no. 7. p. 14. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  5. ^ "BEFORE THE COPYRIGHT ROYALTY TRIBUNAL Washington, D.C. 20036". Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  6. ^ Alvarez III, Cesar (July 7, 1990). "Broadcasting THE WORD". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  7. ^ "Ruth JOHNSON Obituary (2017) - St. Petersburg, FL - Tampa Bay Times". Legacy.com. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  8. ^ Walker, Joanne (August 7, 1993). "Interesting folks live next door". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Murdock, Sebastian (July 30, 2013). "Puppeteer Who Fantasized About Raping, Eating Children, Gets 20 Years". HuffPost. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  10. ^ "Largo puppeteer who wanted to cannibalize boys is sentenced to 20 years". Tampa Bay Times. July 30, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Engber, Daniel (August 21, 2013). "Another Online Fetishist Gets Punished for His Fantasies". Slate Magazine. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Carreras, Iris (July 30, 2013). "Ronald Brown, Fla. puppeteer, gets 20 year in prison for child porn, report says". CBS News. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  13. ^ "REAL LIFE HORROR: The Christian Puppeteer who Planned to Kill and Eat Children". CVLT Nation. April 22, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  14. ^ "Joy Junction (partially found TBN Christian children's show; mid-1980s)". Lost Media Wiki. Retrieved June 17, 2024.

External links

  • Joy Junction at IMDb
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