Millard Robert E. Theodore Baehr (born 1946) is an American media critic and chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission, a division of Good News Communications, Inc. He is publisher and editor-in-chief of Movieguide, a website and biweekly journal that evaluates motion pictures and other entertainment products from a Christian perspective on suitability for family consumption. He also hosts nationally and internationally syndicated Movieguide radio and television programs.
Born in 1946, Baehr is the son of Irvine E. Theodore Baehr, an actor who worked as Robert (Tex) Allen, and actress Evelyn Peirce. He was raised in New York City, gaining experience acting in commercials, motion pictures, television and on stage. During his twenties, Baehr met and began dating Lili, whom he would later marry. The couple has four children and resides in Southern California. Baehr is an evangelical Christian.
After studying at several universities in Europe, Baehr graduated summa cum laude in comparative literature and as a Rufus Choate Scholar from Dartmouth College. He then received a Juris Doctor degree from the New York University School of Law, where he served as Editor of the NYU Law School newspaper.
In 1975, at the encouragement of a friend, Baehr read the Bible, which changed the direction of his life and career. He applied to the Institute of Theology at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and received his Doctor of Humanities degree from Belhaven College. He became the Director of the Television Center at the City University of New York. While there researching the impact of media in education, he also launched his first ministry, the Good News Communications, Inc. ministry.
In 1979 he was elected President of the Episcopal Radio and Television Foundation and began conceptualizing the Christian Film & Television Commission. He also served on the Communications Board of the National Council of Churches. It was during this time that he met the former director of the Protestant Film Office, George Heimrich and was inspired to resurrect the activities of that group, which, until it was closed in 1966, had participated heavily in "approving" scripts of the major Hollywood studios for compliance with the MPAA's self-imposed Production Code.
Ted has been featured on shows such as Oprah, Hannity & Colmes, CNN, ABC, Fox News, AMC Specials, Entertainment Tonight, and The 700 Club. His opinions have been featured in major newspapers and magazines, including the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Time, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The Hollywood Reporter, and U.S. News & World Report.
He has given lectures at the European Parliament, Parliament of the UK, the Parliament of Norway, the Parliament of the Philippines, as well as at Oxford, Dartmouth College, University of Virginia, Yale University, UC Berkeley, and UCLA. He taught at the Bombay Communication Institute. Ordained as a bishop in the Independent Christian Churches International and in the International Ministerial Fellowship, Baehr has preached throughout the world.
In 1985 Baehr began publishing Movieguide as a biweekly magazine of movie reviews, which has now expanded to an online database of movie reviews. Movieguide's reviews use a "Biblical perspective" and are aimed at helping parents use informed judgment when deciding what entertainment products are suitable for their families' enjoyment.
In 1986 Baehr founded The Christian Film & Television Commission (CFTVC), which encourages the major media companies to produce "wholesome, family entertainment." By cross-indexing Movieguide's moral criteria with box office statistics, Baehr's commission produces an annual Report To The Entertainment Industry which attempts to prove that the American public prefers "wholesome, worthwhile, moral movies." The Report also includes a listing of the ten best "family friendly films" and ten best "morally edifying mature audience films" of the year, all of which are awarded plaques at Movieguide's annual award show.
The medievalist Sarah-Jane Murray is among those who have written for Movieguide.
According to the New Yorker, Movieguide is a large database that monitors and rates movies on faith-based content. Funding from right-wing lobbyists resulted in increased policization of their reviews and awards which promote "increas[ing] man's love and understanding of God" and disparage content as "humanist", "feminist", "environmentalist", "PC" ("politically correct worldview or elements"), and "Ho" ("homosexual worldview or sexuality"").
Movieguide rates movies for both quality and acceptability. Quality ratings (1 to 4 stars) cover production value, entertainment quality, and technical or narrative accomplishment. Acceptability ratings (range from +4 to −4, or exemplary to abhorrent) include evaluation of moral and theological issues, based on a "traditional view of the Bible and Christianity." The content of a movie is evaluated for acceptability based on its "dominant worldview" (biblical, Christian, environmentalist, humanist, romantic, socialist, homosexual, false religion, New Age / Pagan, etc.) and on secondary elements, (hints of worldview, foul language, violence, sex, nudity, alcohol, smoking/drugs, miscellaneous immorality, or miscellaneous philosophical or theological problems).
Every year since 1993, Movieguide hosts an "Annual Faith and Values Awards Gala" in Beverly Hills, California. According to Movieguide the purpose of the Gala is to "[encourage] filmmakers and television producers to bring the brightest, most uplifting and inspirational movies and television to audiences world-wide." The gala includes the presentation of:
10 Best Films for Family Audiences
10 Best Films for Mature Audiences
The Faith and Freedom Awards (for promoting positive American values)
The Grace Awards (for outstanding performances exemplifying God's grace and mercy)
The Kairos Prize ($50,000 prize for spiritually uplifting screenplays by beginning or first-time screenwriters)