Aucoin, D. (1999, October 10). "The networks get religion: Passing the ratings-collection plate, TV changes its secular ways and offers a variety of faith-based programs." The Boston Globe, pp. F1, F6.

OVERVIEW

This article is more than news about NBC beating CBS by getting its "Mary, Mother of Jesus" out before CBS’ "Jesus." It offers some commentary and secular perspective on the rather sudden rush of religious programming to hit the networks and primetime in the late 1990s.

Historically, television networks have prayed to no god higher than A.C. Nielsen. But a glance at the TV schedule nowadays suggests they’re starting to believe in the power of religion.

Prompted by the approach of the millenium and the belated recognition of an eager audience for faith-based entertainment, the networks are rolling out made-for-TV movies, miniseries, and documentaries about Jesus Christ and other religious figures, while also adding a dollop of spirituality to prime time.

Of course, in true TV style, the competition is entirely secular and very heated. CBS Television president Leslie Moonvew, piqued that NBC rushed ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus’ onto the fall schedule ahead of CBS’ miniseries ‘Jesus’ told TV writers in Pasadena, CA: ‘Put them side by side and our Jesus is better than their Jesus.’

In a way, ABC was ahead of the pack when in 1997 Peter Jennings took on a full-time editor and producer of religious news items, Peggy Wehmeyer. She says, " ‘I don’t know how journalists can cover everything from sports to medicine to computers and ignore religion.’ " In the fall of 1999 Jennings informed listeners that stories about the faith of presidential candidates " ‘will be a continuing feature of our political coverage.’ "

In 1998 PBS had presented Bill Moyer’s "Genesis" and in 1999, "From Jesus To Christ." Here are some of the scholarly religious programs of fall 1999:

• PBS’ "John Paul II: The Millenial Pope"
• PBS’ "Apocalypse!"
• ABC’s 3-D version of the life of Christ, "The Miracle Maker"

WB network is trying a different style of spirituality with its drama, "Angel." She is a vampire who acts like a guardian angel—playing off our especially youthful interest these days in beings beyond human experience and understanding. Other dramas with spiritual overtones or religious themes include:

• ABC’s "Nothing Sacred" which turned out to have a very short run.
• CBS’ "Touched by an Angel" long-running show consistently ranking in Top Ten.
• CBS’ "Promised Land," also produced by Touched by an Angel’s Martha Williamson.
• NBC’s "Noah’s Ark," a miniseries which did exceptionally well in May, 1999.
• WB’s "Seventh Heaven," a drama about a minister’s family.

Some critics of television say it’s about time—claiming TV producers have always "taken a dim view of religion." They have presented faith and religious leaders in a poor light and underrepresented spiritual subjects, these critics say, even though 95 percent of Americans believe in God and 45 percent say they go to church each week. William Martin (professor of sociology at Rice University, Texas) is one such critic.

For so long, most of what was shown on television (about religion) was negative. If there was a preacher, he was a hypocrite, and if not a hypocrite, he was at least unbearable. In general religion has been held up for more ridicule than for an honest look or praise.

Why, then, is television suddenly interested in things spiritual? Beyond the single and obvious reason given by this writer: "that next year marks (scholarly quibbles aside) 2,000 years since the birth of Christ, an event of transcendent importance to millions of Christian." To this we might add something more. After the grunge age of the late 1980s and early 1990s, there is a spirit-of-the-age, which is more spiritual and realistically optimistic. In addition, the turn of the millenium has brought out apocalyptic fears and hopes in many young people and adults.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her son Bobby Shriver co-produced November, 1999’s "Mary, Mother of Jesus." She likes the idea of looking at Jesus from the perspective of his mother and thinks it makes a " ‘great story.’ " Her son adds, " ‘She has to bear this very special child. And then she has to watch as this story unfolds and…every new development that happens is even more shocking.’ " Eunice Shriver continues:

…when you think about it, look at the lives of all of these other women that we’re all excited about, whether it’s Catherine the Great or Eleanor Roosevelt—I mean, who can you pick in the last 2,000 years that’s had more influence than this women has had? (Mary) represents something, satisfies some longing in people for some kind of spiritual satisfaction.

Bob Abernethy, host of PBS’s "Religion & Ethics Newsweekly," describes the current spiritual longing:

There’s enormous interest in this country, bordering perhaps on real hunger, for some way to make every day more meaningful. All over the place, people are saying, ‘I wish I could learn how to live better.’ There’s a suspicion around that maybe the people who’ve been at this for thousands of years might know something about it.

Lorenzo Minoli is co-producer of CBS’ miniseries, "Jesus" (May, 2000):

First of all, I want to entertain. This is a movie; that’s how I look at it. I always felt there were enough dramatic elements in the story to make a great movie. (He says his movie portrays) a very modern Jesus that is very much in line with new historical interpretation….Without offending anybody.

Minoli also believes that "Jesus" has an interesting, in-depth portrayal of Pontius Pilate and " ‘a very provocative depiction of Satan.’ "

ABC’s Peggy Wehmeyer has questions about this modern, please-all depictions of Jesus.

The chic thing to do with Jesus is the historical Jesus. That is the highbrow way to present Jesus, but the people who sit in the pews don’t like that. They’re not going to like a presentation of a man who was not God, did not walk on water, and explains away all the miracles.

Professor of religion at Barnard College, Randall Balmer represents those who see positive and negative features to television’s new interest in religion.

On the one hand, I’m always a little skittish about the commercialization that’s implicit in fictionalizations. (On the other hand, if treated with respect, it may be well for all.)…television is the great validator in our culture. If television is treating something that is very dear to you, you’re going be very favorably impressed by that. You’re going to feel that your faith has been validated as well.

Monsignor Francis McFarland is host for the Boston Catholic Television’s (BCTV) Christian doctrine program has a concern about such programs.

…the danger might be that they show just one side of Jesus, take one side of his personality. (But generally these religious programs are) a springboard for people to start thinking about the Lord and searching Scripture.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Do you think Hollywood and television have been unfair to religion?
2. What do you see as the proper role and function of television in society?
3. Are you glad to see more religious documentaries and dramas on television?
4. What is one of your favorite television programs? Is there a "religious" special or series you like?
5. Do you think what has been written above is a fair presentation of religious programming in a pluralistic and secular culture?
6. To what extent is television the great cultural "validator" for you? For your society?

IMPLICATIONS

1. Television has become the most pervasive of popular culture’s media. It is very influential in most societies.
2. Most would agree that Hollywood and television have not been fair to churches, clergy, and religion. Nor has it given equal time to this important dimension of life.
3. Most serious critics see television in its infancy stage. It has much to learn and must greatly improve if it is to fulfill its promise as leading communicator in tomorrow’s world.
4. If television, after some fifty years, must greatly improve artistically and educationally, so religious programming will develop in ways that will satisfy its many audience.

Dean Borgman cCYS