If you enjoy exploring the darker side of entertainment, Nick Crowley’s latest documentary could be a captivating watch. Known for his viral mini-documentary on smartschoolboy9, Crowley now takes a deep dive into one of the most unsettling children’s television shows ever aired.
In September, Crowley’s investigation into the smartschoolboy9 saga garnered immense attention, amassing over 10 million views. The response was so intense that a dedicated subreddit was created to identify the individual behind the character, with hopes for legal action against him.
Although many speculate that this man could be David Alter or David London, the true identity remains elusive. The subreddit in question has since been taken down, leaving viewers grappling with what is arguably one of the most disturbing mysteries to emerge in recent memory. However, Crowley’s content is anything but scarce; he is continually finding new material to investigate. (Warning: some viewers may find this content troubling.)
Life With Grandpa: A Disturbing Show
The focus of Crowley’s documentary is “Life With Grandpa,”a puppet show intended for children, created in the mid-1980s. At face value, it appears to be an innocuous show filled with skits and songs designed to impart lessons based on Christian morals. However, upon closer inspection, it reveals a far more sinister undertone.
Throughout various segments, the characters advocate for physical punishment with implements resembling whips. Moreover, the portrayal of women is particularly alarming, depicting them merely as household fixtures tasked with chores.
In addition, the show’s creators express a clear disdain for modern medicine, promoting a dangerous belief that divine intervention should take precedence. Yet, the most outrageous content is perhaps found in sexually suggestive skits, one of which includes a peculiar episode where Grandpa interacts with a robotic character bearing human-like breasts.
Crowley remarks, “It’s one of the most surreal things I’ve ever seen on a kids’ show. It treats women as objects, equating them to robots.” He emphasizes the disturbing lyrics of a particular song, which crosses boundaries of taste and decency.
Much like the themes explored in the documentary “Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey,”Life With Grandpa reinforces an unsettling message to its young viewers: “trust and obey.” Knowing who created this show leaves one feeling shocked yet unsurprised at its existence.
David Berg and His Disturbing Legacies
“Life With Grandpa”is steeped in the teachings of the notorious Children of God cult, originally founded by David Brandt Berg in 1968. Initially, it emerged as a fundamentalist group preaching salvation, driven by the belief that an impending apocalypse rendered the outside world untrustworthy.
Over time, Berg’s cult adopted increasingly sexualized practices, particularly in the mid-1970s when he introduced the practice of “Flirty Fishing,” which encouraged female members to engage sexually with strangers for monetary gain and to attract new recruits.
Berg’s messages increasingly reflected his twisted ideologies, delivered in “Mo Letters” to his followers under various aliases including King, Moses, and Grandpa. Over the years, he urged that even children should be involved in sexual acts as part of their upbringing.
Crowley sheds light on the darkness embodied by Berg’s teachings, stating, “He believed that children should be taught about this lifestyle essentially as soon as they’re born.” This resulted in a generation indoctrinated to obey without question, influenced by materials like Life With Grandpa.
The Tragic Case of Davidito
The unfortunate legacy of the cult is epitomized in the story of Ricky Rodriguez, known within the show’s narrative as “Davidito.” Born from a “Flirty Fishing”encounter, Ricky was positioned to be Berg’s successor, subject to unimaginable abuse from a young age.
Traumatized and groomed, he ultimately documented his struggles in “The Davidito Book,”which ironically chronicled his abuse. Upon escaping his horrific upbringing, the psychological scars remained, culminating in a tragic effort to confront his past, which led to violence and his own demise.
The Family International: Still Active
Despite extensive accounts of abuse, The Family International (TFI) evades legal scrutiny and continues operations. Their strategy of decentralizing members globally complicates prosecution, as differing legal systems hinder accountability.
After renouncing their illegal sexual practices in the 1980s, the group rebranded itself, complicating efforts to address historical abuses. Moreover, many ex-members have altered their identities, making them difficult to track.
The Family International still asserts its presence today, promoting itself as a “Christian network of individuals in 75 countries, committed to sharing God’s love.” Additionally, Karen Zerby, Berg’s wife, maintains an active online platform, yet she has not been seen publicly since 2010.
Viewer Reactions to Life With Grandpa
Crowley’s documentary has resonated widely since its release, gathering over a million views and provoking an emotional flood of responses from viewers. Many expressed astonishment at the content, with comments like, “This was worse than I expected,” highlighting the shocking nature of the revelations.
Others offered their respect to survivors who spoke out, noting the immense courage it required, while some lamented the ongoing existence of the cult. Affected viewers articulated their empathy for Ricky, recognizing the deep trauma that informed his tragic actions.
One user poignantly remarked, “In his eyes and through his trauma, he saw that people were getting away with the abuses he’d suffered since infancy.” This collective acknowledgment underscores the profound complexities of survival, accountability, and the need for justice.
Leave a Reply