| Joy Junction | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Children's Christian |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes[1] |
| Original release | |
| Network | WCLF |
| Release | 1979 (1979) |
Joy Junction was an American Christian television program for children produced by and initially broadcast on WCLFinClearwater, Florida, beginning in 1979.[2] Episodes were also aired on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (worldwide) and FamilyNet, among others.[3][4][5] New episodes were still being produced as of 1990.[6]
Since the show stopped airing reruns, almost all Joy Junction episodes are considered lost media today.[7]
In the show, a cast of characters led by Sheriff Don (played by Don MacAllister)[8] would teach children manners, values and Biblical history.[1] It was targeted at children 4 to 9 years of age.[1] Joy Junction encouraged children to mail weekly to receive Bible lessons and games.[9]
The show became controversial and was quickly pulled from broadcast in the early 2000s after it was discovered that a prominent cast member, Ronald William Brown, possessed child pornography and photographs of dead children and had expressed a desire to rape and cannibalize young boys.[10][11]
Brown's character on the show was a ventriloquist with a dummy named Marty.[12] The pair taught children lessons about right and wrong, including about the supposed dangers of "dirty pictures" and "evil thoughts".[12] In doing so, Brown often interacted with children on set.[12]
Brown first drew police attention in 1998 when boys' underwear was found in his possession.[13] However, he was let go after claiming they were for his puppet.[13][14] In 2012, Brown was arrested, and he was subsequently sentenced to 20 years in prison for possession of child pornography and conspiracy to kidnap a child.[15][10] Brown died on August 5, 2020, aged 65, due to a motor neuron disease.[16]
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