Here are today’s dispatches from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.

1. Hard times over for R.J. From The Wrap:  After two seasons, MTV has canceled “The Hard Times of RJ Berger.” The series starred Paul Iacono as an unpopular schoolkid whose life is changed when his oversized manhood is discovered.
Comment: Whether you blame soft ratings or stiff competition, the big news here is that America’s teens just said “no” to the trashy one-note premise that just had to grow old fast. There’s hope for the future!

2 Snooki beats Bachmann. From The Wrap: The second season of “Jersey Shore” Season 4 drew 7.4 million total viewers — more than nearly every network offering on Thursday, and a far sight more than the Republican candidates’ debate on Fox, which took in just over 5 million total viewers. “Shore” also garnered a 7.1 rating in the 12-34 demographic, which means that the show now holds the top 15 cable slots in that demo for this year, barring sports broadcasts.
Comment: Um, about what I just said… Well, anyway, I’m still not giving up hope. Quality television is still due for  comeback.

3.  FYI: Domestic Box Office Results (8/12-8/14)
1. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (3,691 theaters): $27.5 million
2. The Help (2,534 theaters): $25.5 million
3. Final Destination 5 (3,155 theaters): $18.4 million
4. The Smurfs (3,427 theaters): $13.5 million
5. 30 Minutes or Less (2,888 theaters): $13 million
6. Cowboys & Aliens (3,310 theaters): $7.6 million
7. Captain America: The First Avenger (2,835 theaters): $7.1 million
8. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2,635 theaters): $6.9 million
9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2,414 theaters): $6.87 million
10. The Change –Up (2,913 theaters): $6.2 million

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11