1.2 min readBy Published On: February 6th, 2018Categories: News22 Comments on City Councilor Ed Flynn is not happy with SMILF

Some people in Southie are not thrilled with the portrayal of people from South Boston in Showtime’s Golden Globe Nominated series SMILF.  If you recall, SMILF was in Southie and Dorchester this past fall shooting scenes. The first episode of SMILF aired in November and was quickly picked up for a second season.

City Councilor and Southie resident Ed Flynn is urging the City of Boston to remove the ads for SMILF in bus shelters around the city.  See statement below:

Dear friends,

In recent weeks, many of my constituents have relayed to me their disgust with Showtime’s TV Show “SMILF” and its depiction of the people of South Boston. The proud mothers I know from Southie, who work so hard for their families and our community, have told me they find it unwatchable as it is a degrading, crude and inaccurate portrayal of their life in the neighborhood. At the same time, I noticed advertisements for the show featured at bus shelters around the city. I’m tired of Hollywood making a profit off of these abysmal shows that in no way capture the real lives, character and contributions of the people of South Boston. As a result, I reached out to officials from the City of Boston and they have kindly agreed to remove these advertisements. Thank you to those of you that brought this to my attention.

Ed

22 Comments

  1. John Gwynn February 6, 2018 at 4:35 pm - Reply

    We do learn the difference between fact and fiction pretty early don’t we? With all of the very real concerns that a City Councillor should be addressing it is alarming that this becomes one of your earliest efforts.

    Perhaps we shouldn’t be so surprised when the only qualification for your job seems to “Son of.”

    Let’s try some real work for a change.

    • nancy farrington February 6, 2018 at 9:34 pm - Reply

      Thank you for saying what most are thinking.

    • Taxpayer X February 16, 2018 at 9:11 am - Reply

      Emerson Cleaners called and they want their ” Empty Suit” back.

  2. Kate K February 6, 2018 at 4:44 pm - Reply

    I agree with John.

  3. Darrell D. February 6, 2018 at 6:18 pm - Reply

    Dear friends,

    In recent weeks, many of my constituents have relayed to me their disgust with ____________ TV Show “_________” and its depiction of the people of _____________. The proud mothers I know from ___________, who work so hard for their families and our community, have told me they find it unwatchable as it is a degrading, crude and inaccurate portrayal of their life in the neighborhood. At the same time, I noticed advertisements for the show featured at bus shelters around the city. I’m tired of Hollywood making a profit off of these abysmal shows that in no way capture the real lives, character and contributions of the people of _____________. As a result, I reached out to officials from the City of ___________ and they have kindly agreed to remove these advertisements. Thank you to those of you that brought this to my attention.

    There now it can be used by all disenfranchised TV viewers

  4. Geraldine Cuddyer February 6, 2018 at 9:12 pm - Reply

    Does the Councillor know how many Union jobs are associated with this, and other productions? Newsflash: if it offends you, don’t watch it! (I have not). This is shown on a Premium Channel that one must subscribe to! As Chair of the Neighborhood Services Committee, which also oversees parking, I would like to see some action on things that matter!

    • Rooney February 8, 2018 at 4:47 pm - Reply

      Who gives a crap about the union jobs….

  5. Mark D February 7, 2018 at 1:22 am - Reply

    Hello? This is a work of FICTION! South Boston may be the setting, but the series is about the struggles of a single mom in this country. This could be happening anywhere. Stop worrying about tv and start worrying about the needs of your constituents.

  6. Ed February 7, 2018 at 8:44 am - Reply

    The council President wants to charge people for resident stickers so they will ‘move to off-street parking” (her words- I wish she’s show us all where this secret oasis of off street spots are-do share councilor) and another one wants to hold hearings on allowing non-citizens to vote (which this councilor shockingly signed on to and did not speak in opposition to) probably out of some misplaced sense of respect to the sitting councilor I have to guess?

    Maybe he needed-wanted a quick victory or something??…My advice–Fight the fights worth fighting. This isn’t one of them.

  7. Not So New To The Hood February 7, 2018 at 9:54 am - Reply

    If there’s anything I’ve learned about this Ed Flynn character….it’s that his head is so far up his own a$$, he doesn’t have a clue about what the people he represents really need.

    • Ed February 7, 2018 at 9:59 am - Reply

      You again.- smh ……..Ed Flynn is a good man. I just disagree with him on this. You obviously do not know him very well and he knows more about this community and the people in it than you ever will.

      • Not So New To The Hood February 7, 2018 at 12:27 pm - Reply

        I couldn’t care less about his moral character. If he is an effective city councilor and spends his time producing tangible, positive results then I am a happy citizen. Focusing on AirBnB and projecting his personal concerns as concerns of his constituents is COMPLETE WASTE.

  8. Sarah February 7, 2018 at 10:20 pm - Reply

    Really? I am a Bay Village constituent and am disappointed that the Councilor is dedicating resources to this. We have issues with dangerous crosswalks, stabbings bleeding into the neighborhood (no pun – actual blood trails) from long-problematic clubs, and serious housing , dug and education crises. This is the issue he picks? I think Southie can survive one tv show, what will destroy our communities
    is another generation of heroin, poor education and gentrification. Shame on you Councilor.

  9. Not So New To The Hood February 8, 2018 at 1:10 pm - Reply

    Oh….I forgot to mention….what about the Wynn Casino ads? Not hearing a peep from Ed on that.

  10. Rooney February 8, 2018 at 4:45 pm - Reply

    What do you expect with that deranged Rosie O’Donnell part of the cast..I saw one scene filming down the island where she keeps walking straight into the ocean… She should have started to swim to Canada liked she promised!

  11. Anonymous February 8, 2018 at 10:44 pm - Reply

    Sounds like the Mike Kelley folks are still bitter. So sad.

  12. Paul February 9, 2018 at 12:02 am - Reply

    Traffic, housing, education, crime, income disparity, institutionalized racism, opioid addiction, global warming,…. you have enough to work on!!!

  13. Guppy (geezer urban post-professional) February 9, 2018 at 7:44 am - Reply

    If the councilor is not happy with his SMILF there are plenty of other fish in that sea.

    • Guppy (geezer urban post-professional) February 9, 2018 at 7:46 am - Reply

      wait…what?…..oh.

  14. Maureen M February 9, 2018 at 8:16 am - Reply

    Okay Kids, let’s dial back the venom. It’s okay that people have different opinions on SMILF and yes, we all have the choice to not watch the show or to turn it off if we don’t like it. However, making nasty personal comments (about Ed Flynn, Mike Kelly’s supporters,, Rosie O’Donnell or anyone else) is juvenile and petty. Get out from behind the goofy online handles and call or write your public officials if you’re concerned about things they’ve done or haven’t done. Doing that might actually accomplish something . Have a great weekend.

    • Not So New To The Hood February 9, 2018 at 3:44 pm - Reply

      Maureen, welcome to anonymous, public internet comment sections. They will only get more juvenile and petty as time progresses. I suggest you accept and move along, otherwise you may get your feelings hurt.

      • Guppy (geezer urban post-professional) February 10, 2018 at 9:38 am - Reply

        For a minute there I thought she was Maureen the editor. Whew. In that case: Yeah, Maureen, move along!

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