A Letter of Apology from Brothers & Sisters

To Our Viewers

The writers and producers of Brothers & Sisters would like to apologize for mistakenly indicating in Episode 202 that Nora Walker was a Gold Star Mother.  As many of you have pointed out on this blog, a Gold Star Mother is a mother whose child served and died in line of duty.  We are truly sorry for our gross oversight during the writing of this episode.  As ever, the writers and producers of this show are in awe and indebted to those serving our country as well as the people that love them.

With deepest regret,

The Writing Staff of Brothers & Sisters

Comments

[will]

Yer dang right: it's a "GOLD STAR Mother".

Of course, all you high-fallutin', soft, BMW driving, double vanilla soy latte swilling, Sean Penn-loving, HOLLYWOOD ELITE writers would not begin to know the difference between Gold & Blue in the first place. You pampered, sheltered, liberal-agenda-ed, West-Side dwellin' people you!

OK. Obviously I am just typing here for the sake of typing. No actual comment here. Just typing.

[Commend - Great job ABC]

I wish to commend ABC for reaching out and bringing to the forefront a storyline about wounded warriors, who return home from Iraq wounded with scratches, broken leg, but also permanent scares for life such as post stress trauma disorder. As a mom who has a son serving Iraq, I can relate especially when I have not heard from him in days out. Justin will pull through but memories of war will always be in the shadows of his mind. Nora needs to stay strong and not show signs of weakness. Time is the best healer for everything. Great job ABC.

[Bea]

This isn't about the Gold Star thing - it's about the Writers' video thing for episode 202.

There are MAJOR spoilers showing in that video that I don't think you people intended to show. They are shown on the whiteboard behind David Marshall Grant and I was able to clearly see that Kevin would be by Scotty vigil (!!) and Nora ID'ing a rapist???

[kella123]

and on the white board i could see that sarah was preganent????

[Nancy Menagh]

Time to back off, Will. Two sarcastic posts about Gold Star Mothers is more than enough.

As a Gold Star Wife, I no longer have my best friend, my lover, my husband, the father of my children. While my husband made the supreme sacrifice for his country, I live that sacrifice each and every day. My children live that sacrifice each and every day.

There is no way to make up for the loss. However, to show a small recognition and appreciation of the sacrifice that I and so many countless others make 24/7 for you and for our country, Congress chartered the organizations of Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Wives. There are countless thousands and thousands of us from all wars. That you have to poke fun and be sarcastic of our sacrifice illustrates just why it is such a slap to have a television show seen by millions perpetuate the idea that blue, gold it is all the same and means nothing.

Please show some respect for something you obviously know and care nothing about.

[will]

I am feeling slightly melancholy tonight. All the Gold Star moms get a public apology today, all for an unintentional color mix-up. Yet my sweet beautiful gay character, Jason McCallister, gets summarily shipped off to Siberia....or Malaysia, whatever!... and with no whisper of an apology forthcoming. I am beside myself.

VIEWER MAIL....

Tonight's mail is sent to us from Kay Taylor, a seemingly-dedicated "Brother & Sister" fan, who posted this comment last week, Oct. 3:

"My husband and I have watched Brothers and Sisters since the beginning. We enjoy it very much, but we are offended with the homosexual portion of it and I am asking that it be removed. It ruins an otherwise very entertaining show."

First of all, thank you for taking the time to post, Kay.....& I hope that "Brothers & Sisters" does not mind me answering Kay's correspondence on the show's behalf.... may I, Dan? Grazie.

Kay, if Kevin Walker offends & dismays you so deeply, we can certainly remove the "homosexual portion" for you. Consider it done! He will get into a mysterious car accident next week! The entire Walker clan can drown their sorrows over a few margauritas at the same mexican restaurant they celebrated Kitty's birthday ....the writers can give them some smirky banter, a few one-liners & barbs to mark the event.... then, VOILA!.... no more Kevin. Erased cleanly off the B&S slate, as if he were never there in the first place.

Now, it has also come to my attention that more than a few conservative viewers expressed "outraged" at Sally Field's Emmy acceptance speech some three weeks ago and wish to see her removed from the series as well. These correspondants claim to be long-time & dedicated viewers. If I may boldly answer for the B&S writing staff....BY ALL MEANS! Consider it done! Done deal. No more Nora Walker. Many of you conservative viewers found Nora's ultra-liberal politics to be getting "old" anyway....& consider Ms. Field to be emblematic of the corrosive liberal Hollywood Elite Establishment poisoning the minds of impressionable young american children. So SHE'S OUT. Out with the bathwater.

Working through viewer mail is always a pleasure for me and judging from the current posts, I get the feeling that many of you find Kitty Walker's politics "too liberal" for a conservative. She is, after all, against the Iraq invasion, completely adoring of her gay brother & his deviant lifestyle choices....and has even given indications of supporting global warming legislation (anathema to the TRUE conservative!). Or, as one of you posters bluntly put it, "Just have her become a Democrat and make your fantasy complete." First off, we must remember that Kitty is a CALIFORNIA republican, quite a different breed from the "heartland" variety. California conservatives dine on brie and champagne, just as readily as their liberal counterparts! But if you folks want Kitty Walker gone... SAY NO MORE. A new storyarc will be swiftly created to send her off to Azerbaijan.... or Sri Lanka... just as quickly as Jason McCallister was picked off & packed off.....damned you B&S writers! Bring Jason back from Siberia... or Azerbaijan... or Malaysia, whatever mythical distant land you banished him to!

OK. But I see this viewer mail segment is getting very long. I'll answer more of your spendid & though-provoking posts in the near future.

[CeCe]

{{{will}}} Just cuz you seem like you might need a hug.

{{{B&S writers}}}

[Scott]

Nancy,

Thank you for that heartfelt post. My heart goes out to you and all others who have lost loved ones in war. Please know that many of us take the distinctions seriously, and I'm sure the writers of "Brothers & Sisters" share in that sentiment and deeply regret the error. I look forward to the development of the Justin storyline, as I feel this show is portraying his journey in a realistic and authentic way, a storyline that most shows wouldn't even dare touch.

Will, I must say that I found your sarcasm here particularly insensitive. We're talking about the loss of people who have dedicated their lives in service of our country. Flippant comments about how you haven't received an apology for Jason's absence really are not necessary, and border on offensive.

(And I say this as a huge Kevin fan. But there is a time and a place, and in my humble opinion, this thread is not it.)

[JoAnne]

TO: Nancy Menagh..My heart goes out to you and I hope that one day you will find peace in your heart.

Will has really gone overboard with his rants, I am really disappointed in him especially in the post you referred to.

Peace to you.

[will]

JoAnne, CeCe, Scott (& Nancy): I LOVE EVERYBODY! I am a fount of high-spiritedness sometimes. Give me the benefit of the doubt.

Sorry if I offended anyone. I long for a more heady & passionate & INTERACTIVE & provocative television show in "Brothers & Sisters"...& sometimes my emotions carry me away.....I want the same for this stupid message board.

I don't harbor any ill-will towards Gold Star moms. I sometimes write posts in the midst of vanilla lattes.... so you can sense the excess caffeine buzzing around in my comments.

CeCe, I need that hug. I feel all these bad people are out to get me.

[will]

JoAnne: Note for you, personally. Politics are a CONSTRUCT. Should we have invaded Iraq? Did it do more harm than good? Are we creating more terrorists with our "pre-emptive invasions" than we're actually killing? Are we perpetuating future middle-eastern blowback (retaliatory attacks)? etc etc.

This is a democracy & democracies can only thrive through freedom & dissent.

I am NOT saying you are coming from this place, but Gold Star or Blue Star moms should never feel self-righteous enough to believe that THEIR SACRIFICE is beyond debate. Their sacrifice, in a democracy, is PRECISELY debateable. The fact is (& there's no way to say this unsubtlely): the troops may in fact be dying for a mistake. The neo-conservative dream of re-making the vast middle east over into democracy's image....may not be a do-able proposition. At some point, one has to say "Mistakes were Made", in the very largest sense. We bit off more than we could chew. We failed at our primary objectives.

Although politics are imporant to the survival of nations, they are a CONSTRUCT, that should not be allowed to seperate me from you. All of us must learn to look beyond politics in the midst of troubled times.

[ron]

Will, I am a Gold Star Father. You make a point about the war and should we be there. You also make a statemant about democracy. Let me ask you: What happened to this country? When a leader is elected in a democracy he is then the leader of choice by the majority. Why is it that we all can not support him? There is another election coming up. If you want out of the war, lower taxes, better roads, etc., then vote for your candidate. If he is not elected then you should show support for the elected leader, or at least quit complaining. We are supposed to be a "United Nation". Somewhere along the road a lot of us have forgotten that. Never complain with out offering a solution, you just look like a cry baby.

[JoAnne]

I refuse to argue politics with you,Will. I come here to discuss Brothers and Sisters. To read the opinions of others who enjoy this show.

This is a "TELEVISION SHOW"
Will, Maybe you should go easy on the Lattes you are really getting carried away
and going into areas that have nothing to do with the show.

The writers made a simple apology for an unfortunate
oversight and that is all you had to do, a simple
"I'm sorry" is all that was needed. Instead you add insult to injury by going on and on about your views instead of just saying you were sorry to Nancy, and Scott and you single me out because I agreed with Nancy's post.

Im not a "bad person out to get you" and I don't think you are a bad person
just calm down and enjoy the show.

[will]

Ron: I respect your opinion.

And

JoAnne: yes.... "arguing politics" here does seem to clog up all the blog-arteries with unnecessary rancor. Especially since all angles of this war debate have been hacked & hashed out AD INFINITUM across the cultural spectrum.

By the way, I've noticed that (all said) "Brothers and Sisters" is basically a-political...I mean, of course, the writers have a liberal viewpoint (that's taken for granted).... but basically the politics are a backdrop...a SCRIM if you will....like Nora's perfect stainless-steel William-Sonoma-inspired kitchen....that add flavor & purpose & local color.... I think of it this way: you know those people that have a DVD of a "yule log" that they snap onto the TV at holiday time? You see the burning, flickering televised yule log on the screen with soothing carols underneath. This is supposed to add "atmosphere" to the Christmas experience for urban dwellers without fireplaces..... well, "Brothers & Sisters" politics is like the yule log.

The DVD yule log....the fake snow sprayed onto the plastic tree.... they add color & drama & warmth & festivity to the occassion. Kitty's politics act in a similar fashion. It's not really ABOUT Kitty's politics....it's about her schmaltzy love for the senator (or whichever man is next). It's about FAMILY. It's about sibling interaction. Politics & Nora's state-of-the-art kitchen & even the character of Holly... these are all mere THINGS: window dressing, that add texture to the Walker clan's lives.

(PS. Yes, that was a slam against Holly. She is no bona-fide "character" yet. She is a wanna-be character drifting around episode to episode, in search of an author).

[Scott]

Will,

You're twisting why I objected to the tone of your post.

This thread was about the writers expressing regret for an error in a description of Gold Star Mothers, i.e., mothers of those who have died in war. One can acknowledge their sacrifice without approving of the war itself. They are separate.

I can tell you're a big fan of the show. As am I, as is JoAnne, etc. But we still should be able to exercise restraint and show proper respect when dealing with such sensitive issues as these.

[Lynn]

I also caught that mistake that Sally was a Gold Star mom. Like one other comment I am also a Gold Star Wife. I know these mistakes happen but I can't believe the writer's never heard of GOLD STAR mom's,wives's,father's,sister's,brother's children and their children. A member of our Armed Forces gave their precious life's so we can stay free.

[Mary]

I'm from the UK. I don't know about Gold Star or any other category of parent in the US. I do know that my teenage son is contemplating a career in the British Army, & I'm actively trying to steer him in the direction of other career options. For what reason would I encourage my son to join the Army to act as a glorified mercenery for the US and return to me in a body bag before his 21st birthday.And why? A dead child is a dead child...a tragedy and a waste. I respect the individuals who engage in the conflicts, but I do not respect their misguided (at best) governments, and I hate the war.

[Krystal Daugherty]

Now that Nora is a widow, I know she wouldn't just throw parties and make pies, can you try to focus on what she feels like in an empty bed, when she hears a certain song. I like she is the kind of woman who understand the other woman, but also this other woman also knew all about his real family. I'm sure Nora would have other questions for the other woman, like how that he found the time, what he said about her, and things like that. I think the right spin on this would actually help some women out there who are actually living similar. Oh, by the way. You are all doing a great job and I love the choice of the actors and will not miss one show.
Krystal Daugherty

[aneka]

I have quit watching this show. I am not interested in the political views of Sally Field on the emmys or on her show...I watch to be entertained not preached to....I enjoyed the show until her outburst at the emmy"s about the war,,not the time or place...

[Robin Fletcher]

Folks: This is a goddamned block about a great TV show designed for its fans to discuss the TV show. If you nasty, warmongering, loyal Bushies who support this criminal war and who abhor homosexuals do not like the show, then turn the goddamned channel. As for Sally Fields' anti-war comments, I think she was incredibly brave--as brave as any soldier in Iraq--for speaking out against a criminal war that is KILLING our soldiers and wasting their young lives, promoting terrorism (not abolishing it), and costing more money than our great-grandchildren will have to spend. That is more brave than your support of Bush frm the comfort of your own goddmaned living rooms for the war. And for the gays on this entertaining TV series, if they offend you perpahs you Republicans need to re-read your goddamned bibles--Judge not, lest ye be judged and Let He who is without sin cast the first stone. Robin Fletcher, Dallas, TX

[JoAnne]

...and your bible quote refers only to republicans and not you? ummmm

I am offended by your language!

[Debbie]

I was not aware of the meaning of the "Gold Star Mother" reference. I love, love Brothers & Sisters and after this my love has increased 100-fold!!! I think it takes a special group of people to own up when they have offended and hurt a segment of their audience.

My heart aches and tears flow every time one of the TV news outlets shows the names and pictures of American soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice so I can remain safe and free. It is possible to love our soldiers while hating the war.

There was nothing flippant about the way the writers handled Nora's reaction to Justin being in Iraq. Nothing. It made me cry because Nora conveyed what so many mothers must feel while their children are over there. And the scene of Nora sobbing while making Justin's bed and begging Kitty to let her keep moving was just filled with awesomeness. I felt that the writers were honoring the suffering of all the mothers whose sons have journeyed to Iraq. Really there's nothing funny about Iraq.

To the Brothers & Sisters writing staff, don't stop challenging our ideas, our rigidity, our binary mentality. Keep making us think outside the box, and encouraging us to love and cherish our diversity.

[jto]

To bring us back to the point, thanks for the apology. It seems fairly obvious that that was an unintentional mistake. I appreciate the fact that this show is 'keeping current' although there is obvious debate as to whether or not the expressed opinions are mainstream or not. If nothing else it is getting people talking and thinking which is more than much of our entertainment does.
As to this endless hate speech to conservatives or democrats for either supporting or not supporting the war and our troops, may I take a moment to remind us all that this war was inevitable. If Bush's predecessors had finished the war they started in Iraq by removing Sadaam years ago, who knows what may have happened? But they didn't. Maybe they figured out too late that they'd run into problems like this and took the easy way out leaving the problem for someone else to deal with later. When it comes down to it, whether or not we think the war was handled correctly (when it truly started decades ago) is an opinion we are entitled to, but the personal political attacks are getting pretty lame and tired. Our troops are there now, and some progress is being made. It is horrible that in any war lives are lost and are injured in countless ways, but until evil people stop roaming the earth we'll continue fighting them.

[Ron]

Robin, you are very narrow minded. You lump all republicans into one category. That is very prejudiced of you. You seem to be of the opinion that all republicans like Bush and the war, and no democrats support either. Open your eyes! Don't equate support for Bush as war mongering. I don't think any reasonable person likes war. My son was a marine. He hates war, but wants to defend freedom. Our country, the one you live in, was built by these young men. It continues because of these young men. No parent wants to send their children to war. We all enjoy our freedoms because of the sacrifices made past and present. This is a good tv show. Sally Field is not "brave" for speaking her mind. She is excercising her rights given by those who sacrificed for our freedom.

[TXAG]

This is directed at the idoit that thinks this cournty is a democarcy. This country is NOT a democracy and thank GOD our forefathers had the insight/foresight to not set it up as one. It is a REPUBLIC!! A democractic elected REPUBLIC. But I guess, what do you expect from government schools.
I have no issue with the gay brother(s). But I do think that is disrespectful of the writers of the show to not have done enough research to know the difference, in this situation. But I do appreciate the appology. And you (who don't know what kind of government we have) may have disdane for our armed forces, but just remember they are the ones who procect your right to make such remarks even against them. You should thank GOD every day for them and say THANK YOU, a thousand times THANK YOU for your service and for what your families go through for your service to this great country that you protect. And if you won't then I will.. Thank all of you out there so much for what you do for our cournty and for ensuring the freedoms that so many take advantage of.

[Mariah]

Give me a break!!! Justin has a knee injury, poor boy. Give him the pain killers. At least he still has his leg. Too many of our soldiers have suffered more serious injuries and even death. This storyline is disgusting.

[Madeleine]

I love this site, we havent seen series 2 yet, so I am getting lots of sneeky peeks.

[betsy]

I totally agree with Will about the show not really being political but only having a political backdrop. But it is going further than any other show on tv that I can think of these days, and for that I think we should forgive the writers for their mistake about Nora being a Gold Star Mother. I love Sally Field for what she said at the Emmy's! (there are far many of us than people who stopped watching the show like aneka)

[Sera]

I am a Gold Star Mother, a Republican and a Born Again Christian and HISPANIC! After the comment did I stop watching? No!!! Was I upset? NO!! I was bugged and thought the writers were stupid not to know the difference. Yes!!!!
I enjoy this show very much and i will continue to watch regardless of the mix up and regardless of Sally Fields stupid comment.
What i am offended with is what is written here - comments about hating gays; war mongers etc.. all very hateful.. Liberals tend to put everyone in the same category when people claim the are Republican.

My best friend is gay - he and his partner come to my home on holidays because their families live in another state, they come for dinner ... I see my friend as my mentor and good friend. I don’t hate him nor any other gay person. Who am I to judge and who are you all to judge us?

War mongers - how dare you say this to a Family who has lost their child - do we have special pass to be afforded some respect for our loss and sacrifice? Don’t you think human decency would grant us just that?

For your information my son was in college. Just like so many other Gold Star Families our Sons were able to afford college but chose otherwise. Most of you think that our young Son’s could not go because the family was to poor and stupid - So they joined because they had no other choice... Again it shows a lack of knowledge and close mindedness of some many here.

The ugliness of the comments tells me how immature some of you are, how misinformed you are and how bigoted some of you are - Including you the Gay Gentleman. Don’t lump me with NO one else regardless of Race, Religion or political affiliation.

[Ron]

I stand corrected. To simplify my comment I used the word Democracy. Either way you have the right to vote. It does not change the idea I was getting across. By the way, making an incorrect statement does not make you an idiot. Calling people an idiot becuase you corrected them does not make you smart either. I made no reference to having disdane for our armed forces. I have 2 sons serving our country, 1 was killed in Iraq. I thank every serviceman I see for his sacrifice. It takes a lot of courage to put your life on hold for at least 4 years to protect our country and I am thankful to each and every one of them.

[Barb]

Sally:
I've been a fan of yours forever!! I just wanted you and the wrighters to know I was really touched by the episode where Jason wants to say goodby to you, Sally, before he leaves for Irac.My son leaves for Irac in March 2008. I could not even talk to him about his choice to go instead of staying in collage. That episode and others has helped me and my son. (He watches sometimes) He now is making special time for all family members before he leaves. So Thank you all.

[Kevin]

I enjoy B&S though I don't always get to watch it. I understand it is a T.V. show, meant to entertain and that it's characters are people with real opinions and that the soldiers who fought, fight and will fight again do so for a multitude of reasons, nonetheleast of which is to secure our FREEDOM... I was offended by Sally's comments at the Emmy's....but understand her RIGHT to make them, indeed her Need to make them. We're blessed in this country to be able to dissent and express our dissent, but it would go over perhaps a little better if dissenters at least acknowledged that they would not have these FREEDOMS in other lands and that is part of our country's greatness.

Despite my having taken offense at Sally's comments, I will continue to periodically enjoy B&S for it's entertainment value...

Thank you.

[Enough with the gays]

I love the show and and want to see it stay on the air for a long time. I think you should stop with all the gay stuff. It's just way too much and I think it will be the demise of a show I enjoy watching.

[GoldStarMom]

I want to thank the writer's of B&S for their prompt and heartfelt apology for the misuse of the term "Gold Star Mother". When I heard the comment, it was another stab to my already broken heart.

As I watch the show, I appreciate that most of the time the writers "get" Jason's and Nora's story line pretty right. Unless you watch your child go off to war, it would be difficult to imagine what military mom's and their families go through. Thanks for making the effort.

Those who say "it's a TV show" minimize my loss and the efforts of the B&S writers and actors to get it right.

My only child was in Iraq for 384 days when he was killed 3/12 years ago. I never supported the war or this administration's drive for this endless war. AND I would never wish this journey on anyone.

Kudos to Sally Field and Nora for having the courage to speak out, too!

I am Ken's very proud Gold Star Mom

[Mark from tampa Fl]

B&S is the best show that is on the air at this time.i have watched the show since it first aired,every Sunday nite.I dont record it or tvo it.I watch it along with millioms of others.i have read alot of the blogs before i wrote mine and i can not believe some of them.HELLO PEOPLE the show is based on a family the has issues and that every peron in the family is different and have their on differances thats what makes a family a family.why blame a show for making a mistake on the war?? things happen.if it wasn't for George "i lied to get a war started" Bush the writers wouldn't have wriiten that in the first place! As far as the gay issues in the show I say GREAT JOB!! Kevin is one of the best in the show.As a gay man It makes me proud to see our issues addressed in the way that the show does.not all gay men were dresses or are flamers,just the guys next door.people that have problems with it have problems with who they are.if you dont like the way it is wriiten than as an adult turn the channel.We live in the land of the free. Thank you for giving us such a great show.Sally you are wonderful and i love you and everyone on the show! Ken you did a great job on thirty something and a better job now ! keep up the great work! before i end Kevin,dont do anything to mess up your relatonship with the preacher!Please!!

[Single]

Ok, I've finally had enough! Enough of this prime time B.S. where the mother is the only one who cares for the kids and it's all about meeee, pooooorrr meeee! I'm a single dad who cares every bit as much about my children as anyone else and who takes EVERY bit as much a part in their lives as ANYONE else! Where does it say that Mothers are the only ones that have a sincere stake in the lives of their children?!!! Enough already! Men have a part in families too!

[Beverly/So much potential; So little substance]

As a viewer who comes from a large family, with a gay brother, a military brother, a mother who has no life except to dwell on her children when they are in crisis..I always expect more from this show (because I can relate to the premise of the show)..but it never quite measures up. Kevin is an embarrassment to the gay population. What a whiny, self-absorbed, bigoted character. He doesn't reflect positively on the gay men of the world who have come so far within the last two decades. Nora needs some Xanax, or something stronger. We get it; she cares about her children..but please...she is so annoying..it's difficult to watch. The fact that Tommy cheated on his wife after she was gone for two seconds was a little disturbing and not really in line with what we previously knew of this character. That was difficult to swallow. The show has so much potential. I expected it to deal with issues and story lines more intelligently and a little more deeply. It just doesn't aim very high. I do appreciate that Kitty is such a believable character. I love that the show reveals a registered Republican, who can have moderate views about certain issues, while leaning more conservatively on others. It is truly representative of more Republicans than people may think. Good job on her character. Her character is the redeemable feature of this show that keeps me coming back. I'll hold out and hope for better...So I hope the bar gets raised. Great acting...except for Sally Field's ranting and raving and nagging and hysterics! Please, I'm needing some Xanax just thinking about it.

[Jen]

"Don’t lump me with NO one else regardless of Race, Religion or political affiliation." -Sera

It should be Don't lump me with ANY ONE else...
Not "NO one else."
*sigh*

[Ann Z]

I noticed that the word "candidate" was misspelled as "canidate" under a photo of one of the debate participants in Sunday's (10/28/07) show. Tisk, tisk!

[Bashir H Abdi]

Ok I have had it. I will try my best to express myself as civily as possible, and of course avoiding not being 'posted'. My beef is that I despise the character 'Scott'. I am not homophobic by ALL account, but this dude annoys me to the nit wits of ninny winny tolerance! My objection is mainly his actions and his dialogues lines. Why does scott talk as if he is this cute, little heroine, demsell in distress?? He is a dude! A man! Cuteness does not become him! Hellooooooo! How disgusting!