Why can't polygamy be funny?
I can't say I'm surprised about this news. HBO is launching a new
original series after The Sopranos on March 12 called Big Love. It stars Bill Paxton as a wealthy
businessman from Salt Lake City who just happens to be a polygamist. He tries to balance the needs of his three wives,
played by Chloe Sevigny, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Ginnifer Goodwin (hey, that's some good casting!), by popping a little
Viagra every now and then. HBO expects the funny to erupt as Paxton tries to juggle his three families, while keeping
his lifestyle secret. People on both sides of the aisle are upset over the premise. Some real-life polygamists say their lifestyle is the greatest because they don't have a husband around every night, and they worry that Big Love will villify polygamy. On the other hand, former wives of polygamists worry that the show will make too much fun of a very serious issue. And, of course, the Mormons (aka The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) are pissed off because they've been working real hard to separate themselves from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, the Mormon spin-off that encourages having multiple wives. The real Mormon church outlawed polygamy back in 1890 and would like everyone to know that!

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