You’re right that Neil Diamond etc would not mean the same to me as Prince haha…it would truly surprise me if Prince liked this band.

I like the interpretation of yours on the South Park episode, and I took similar messages from it myself, though I believe the band was portrayed (regardless of Mickey Mouse’s opinion), as being rather stupid, and there was an ongoing sense to the viewer, that the writers disliked the band.

In other words, the message you took from it I believe is an accurate one, though I do think there were criticisms towards the band also, and not just towards the corporate marketing.

These criticisms towards the band, may largely be regarding their naivete however as you have mentioned.

Selling sex to young girls may not necessarily be anything to do with the band, but I would not rule it out from a corporate, business point of view. Nothing is pure as you say, though it depends on the true intentions behind the ones that promote them, as to whether it would be an accurate statement. Unfortunately, not something we can be 100% sure of.

I appreciate you voicing your opinion regardless, as it is a relevant and interesting one.

Sadly, no re: Prince – but there is a lot of cross-pollination between their teams (& the Jonas keyboardist is a proud Funkytowner), but I can’t verify that besides rumor so you can mentally delete that endorsement, I suppose. I can provide proof of support from the likes of Neil Diamond, Brad Paisley, Shooter Jennings & Barry Gibb…but I am guessing that won’t mean as much…?

LOL.

I agree about the hidden truth of South Park episodes. But I think it’s too easy to miss the truth behind some of the (very funny) nonsense in those episodes.

To me, the truth behind that episode is that a company like Disney can take something real & genuine (like a band’s religious beliefs and naivete) and abuse it for profits. That’s about corporate marketing, not the band. Yeah, Mickey Mouse says nasty things about them..but, um…he’s supposed to be an insane, profit-crazed villain.

And the selling sex to young girls line? I find it intellectually shallow, and I say this as a feminist. Everything is based on sensual/sexual appeal, even for very young children.We’re human and that’s the way it is. Nothing is “pure”. That anyone is naive enough to believe it can be and buys things based on marketing that helps promote that idea…that’s their problem, not the problem of a band of teenagers writing bubblegum garage funk pop rock about teen love and keep their label happy.

I can’t openly critisize the band at a personal level, and wouldn’t do so without first having looked further into their music. Though based on previous South Park episodes, it is rather evident, that much of what they say is certainly based on the hidden truth.

Out of interest, is there any evidence regarding your claims that Prince as an individual appreciates and supports their music?

BTW, Billy – Most people who mock the Jonas Brothers are basing their opinions on media coverage of their purity rings and that episode of South Park. You’re all wrong about them.

I thought they were just a cute product band for my kid at first but they are a real deal band…once you see them in a live concert setting this becomes very clear. Most adults who like pop don’t get the pleasure of a show as musically organic as a live Jonas show…the music they are playing themselves is very good, and they are backed by a team of outstanding sidemen as well as strings and horns.

It’s a music-loving parents’ dream for their kids to experience…and to be quite honest it was a revelation to me, as a 30 year old, that arena sized pop music was still being played like the “real music” I had gotten into in college.

Their vocal quality is a matter of opinion, like with any performer. I like their voices, esp. Joe’s. Their songs are simple and show their youth, but they are well done for their genre.

They’re pretty excellent and deserving of respect. Many significant musicians – Prince, Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello – know they are good and treat them with respect, it’s too bad most regular people are too ignorant to do the same.

Kenny and his new girlfriend are encouraged by the Jonas Brothers to wear purity rings, which is secretly a marketing tactic by the Walt Disney Company to sell sex to young girls.

Mickey Mouse: “Where would you be without me Jonas Brothers. Your music sucks and you know it.”

The publicist for the Jonas Brothers specifically forbade reporters from asking the band about the episode.