"Growing Pains'" Bill Kirchenbauer Calls Kirk Cameron's Statements "Deplorable"

[JamesG]

"Growing Pains" Actor Calls Kirk Cameron’s Homosexuality Comments “Deplorable”
March 5, 2012


Since his Friday appearance on "Piers Morgan Tonight", the internet has been buzzing with reaction to Kirk Cameron’s latest comments about homosexuality.

Asked by Morgan whether he thinks homosexuality is a sin, the former "Growing Pains" star said “I think that it’s unnatural. I think that it’s detrimental and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization.”





Cameron, who has said he found religion as a teenager during his run on "Growing Pains", at times reportedly took issue with the show’s morality.

“I think that the way I probably handled myself back then was a little less graceful than I would like to do that now,” he later said while appearing with his castmates on "Larry King Live", the show that previously held the time slot now occupied by "Piers Morgan Tonight".

The TV family appeared to have worked through the issue though, with Cameron saying, “I think I’ve been forgiven.”





In light of Friday’s controversial comment, Just My Show invited another former "Growing Pains" actor and previous JMS guest to share his thoughts on the situation.

Actor and comedian Bill Kirchenbauer played the recurring role of Coach Graham Lubbock, Mike Seaver’s teacher and occasional mentor, before starring in the "Growing Pains" spin off "Just the Ten of Us".







Statement from Bill Kirchenbauer to Just My Show:

"When I first started working on the show, Kirk was a very nice well mannered young man who seemed to have his ego in check. Some time after he turned religious, he then started doing things like getting Julie McCoullough fired because he thought her to be an immoral young girl because of her appearance in Playboy. Not very Christian like…

To denounce homosexuals the way he has, is to denounce a number of the very people that worked on 'Growing Pains' day in and day out to make him a very famous and wealthy man. To work in show business and have contempt for and not accept gays is like working at Disneyland and not liking children.

His statements are deplorable and just shows how he has been brain washed by the extreme religious haters. If anything, I think people like him are ‘detrimental and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization.’"

http://justmyshow.com/growing-pains-...s-deplorable-2

[An 80s Guy]

I always loved "Just The Ten Of Us", That was a great show and should have lasted longer.

[TV_on_the_Porch]

Mr. Belvedere + Just The Ten Of Us was a fun hour of TV, wasn't it?

[James]

Deplorable? What a bigot! Hollywood needs many more Kirk types to run things!

[AKA]

Originally Posted by TV_on_the_Porch

Mr. Belvedere + Just The Ten Of Us was a fun hour of TV, wasn't it?

I used to look forward to both shows every week when I was a kid!

[TV_on_the_Porch]

Originally Posted by James

Deplorable? What a bigot! Hollywood needs many more Kirk types to run things!

To prevent things like Fred Savage playing the role of Mitch Crumb...?

So in James' world, Bill Kirchenbauer and the rest of Cameron's costars are the real bigots and Kirk Cameron is the visionary whose vision should be the standard of the entertainment industry?

I'm beginning to suspect you're a Poe. In fact I hope you are. If you're sincere I actually feel genuinely sorry for you.

[dynoguy88]

Bill Kirchenbauer has got it nailed. When you use religion as an excuse to show bigotry, ignorance and disrespect towards a very large group of people like Kirk, you are not acting very Christian. And you deserve to be called out for hurting said people.

Good for Bill. I think I'll watch an episode of 'Just the Ten of us' on YouTube in his honor.

TV_on_the_Porch, I wouldn't bother responding to James anymore. Reading just 3 of his posts and it's pretty obvious he's trying to get a reaction. Don't give him the satisfaction.

[retrofan05]

Originally Posted by James

Deplorable? What a bigot! Hollywood needs many more Kirk types to run things!

You're so right. The more gay teens committing suicide, the better.

[megamanj2004]

Bill hit this spot-on!

And comments like those from people like Kirk give Christanity an even bigger bad rap and I happen to be from a Christian family.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by AKA

I used to look forward to both shows every week when I was a kid!

So did I!! Those were the days!!

[blink]

Jamie Luner, that girl was such a hottie!

[Schmoopie]

Kirk should really learn to keep his opinions to himself or at least say them in a way that isn't going to offend anyone. Wow, I can't believe he got that girl fired from Growing Pains b/c of something she did that has nothing to do with the show. I can see where Bill Kirchenbauer would be upset over his comments.

[visaman666]

Originally Posted by Schmoopie.

I can't believe he got that girl fired from Growing Pains b/c of something she did that has nothing to do with the show. I can see where Bill Kirchenbauer would be upset over his comments.

Yes, that caused a big scandal in the day.

I boycotted Growing Pains after that. Talk about Jumping the Shark!