The Three Stooges hits theaters today, and having lost Sean Penn and Jim Carrey as possible Stooges, the film needed a little controversy to help spark interest. Right on cue, enter Catholic League president Bill Donohue, who makes his living fecklessly complaining about cultural products we unreservedly enjoy. It seems Donohue has a problem with the way nuns are portrayed in the new movie, courtesy of SI swimsuit model Kate Upton and Larry David.

Upton has a cameo as Sister Bernice, who's seen wearing a black lace "nun-kini," along with a wimple and rosary. Here's part of Donohue's usual statement:

"In the 1950s, Hollywood generally avoided crude fare and was respectful of religion. Today it specializes in crudity and trashes Christianity, especially Catholicism. Enter the The Three Stooges. This movie is not just another remake: it is a cultural marker of sociological significance, and what it says about the way we've changed is not encouraging...the TV show never mocked nuns or showed infants urinating in the face of the Stooges. The film does."

Donohue's right; the '50s are long gone, but sexy nuns are a lot more appealing than scary ruler-wielding nuns greedily eyeing up young, unscarred knuckles.

The Catholic League prez also had a problem with Larry David's role as Sister Mary-Mengele, named after a certain Nazi war criminal. (What does he expect from the guys who brought us that special "hair gel" in There's Something About Mary?) Donohue was irked by some recent comments David made to Conan O'Brien regarding the role, but it seems he's been on Donohue's radar for some time now. According to Big Bill:

"In 2009, David proved what he thinks about Catholics when he was shown going to the bathroom in a Catholic home spattering urine on a picture of Jesus (it was his own show). Last night he said to Conan O'Brien that dressing as a nun in the film makes it easy to understand why nuns are "so mean." He explains, 'You know, the outfits might have something to do with that. Forget about the fact that they never have sex. If you gave me a choice of no sex or having to wear that outfit the rest of my life, I would definitely take the no sex."

With his easily-offended sensibilities, Donohue must have a lot on his plate these days. Luckily, another right-wing group took care of that penis-cup story.

Commentarium (13 Comments)

Apr 13 12 - 1:07pm
moops

I'm more offended by the mere existence of the Three Stooges movie than anything it could possibly contain.

Apr 13 12 - 1:49pm
Zowie!

What? Only one complaint from a *professional complaint group* about this movie? The producers must be doing something wrong. I can get out of bed in the morning and offend more people than that.

The producers need to try harder. And come on professional complaint groups, get off your butts and earn the donations you receive as the worst kind of special interest groups.

Apr 13 12 - 2:43pm
Hampton

Bill Donohue lives in a permanent state of being offended. And for those not familiar with him, his "Catholic League" is just him. It's a one-person league.
Also, I'm interested ... is he going to DENY that nuns are mean? 'Cause that would be a major fib.

Apr 13 12 - 4:58pm
sarel101

If anyone should file an official defamation complaint, it's the heirs of the Stooges.

Apr 13 12 - 10:57pm
CM

Yeahh, they really shouldn't re-do that TV show. It looks really stupid.

As for the nun thing, I do find it a little offensive myself. And the crude humor of a kid pissing on one of the Stooge's faces? That's not slapstick, just stupidity.

Apr 14 12 - 12:09am
Saint Peter

lighten up dude, I, as a long respected saint, think the nun-kini
is just what we need nuns to wear on Sunday to fill up the pews

Apr 14 12 - 1:49am
analassasin9989

who the hell is bill donohoe

Apr 14 12 - 10:32am
OxAve

I'm more offended by Upton's bland body than the nun-kini.

Apr 14 12 - 11:03am
Kel

"...the film needs a little controversy to help spark interest."

With features about this film everywhere, rave reviews across the board and the Farrely brothers? Um, no.

Apr 14 12 - 2:43pm
Pom

I just love how Nerve never misses a chance to mock the Catholic church! They deserve it. BTW, the Muslims could use a bit of mockery themselves. I can't wait.

Apr 14 12 - 10:02pm
Weary

Yeah, I consider mocking the Catholic Church to be a sacrament

Apr 15 12 - 8:09pm
el profe

It's probably the best thing about the movie.