Joy Junction | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Genre |
Children's Christian |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Running time | 30 minutes [1] |
Original release | |
Network | WCLF |
Release | 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] New episodes were still being produced as of 1990. [6]
Since the show stopped airing reruns, almost all Joy Junction episodes are considered lost media today. [7]
In the show, a cast of characters led by Sheriff Don (played by Don MacAllister) [8] 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 mail weekly to receive Bible lessons and games. [9]
The show became controversial and was quickly pulled from broadcast in the early 2000s after it was discovered that a prominent cast member, Ronald William Brown, possessed child pornography and photographs of dead children and had expressed a desire to rape and cannibalize young boys. [10] [11]
Brown's character on the show was a ventriloquist with a dummy named Marty. [12] The pair taught children lessons about right and wrong, including about the supposed dangers of "dirty pictures" and "evil thoughts". [12] In doing so, Brown often interacted with children on set. [12]
Brown first drew police attention in 1998 when boys' underwear was found in his possession. [13] However, he was let go after claiming they were for his puppet. [13] [14] 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. [15] [10] Brown died on August 5, 2020, aged 65, due to a motor neuron disease. [16]
Joy Junction | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Genre |
Children's Christian |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Running time | 30 minutes [1] |
Original release | |
Network | WCLF |
Release | 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] New episodes were still being produced as of 1990. [6]
Since the show stopped airing reruns, almost all Joy Junction episodes are considered lost media today. [7]
In the show, a cast of characters led by Sheriff Don (played by Don MacAllister) [8] 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 mail weekly to receive Bible lessons and games. [9]
The show became controversial and was quickly pulled from broadcast in the early 2000s after it was discovered that a prominent cast member, Ronald William Brown, possessed child pornography and photographs of dead children and had expressed a desire to rape and cannibalize young boys. [10] [11]
Brown's character on the show was a ventriloquist with a dummy named Marty. [12] The pair taught children lessons about right and wrong, including about the supposed dangers of "dirty pictures" and "evil thoughts". [12] In doing so, Brown often interacted with children on set. [12]
Brown first drew police attention in 1998 when boys' underwear was found in his possession. [13] However, he was let go after claiming they were for his puppet. [13] [14] 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. [15] [10] Brown died on August 5, 2020, aged 65, due to a motor neuron disease. [16]