Posts belonging to Category Television



CT Interviews Roma Downey about the New History Channel Bible Series

Christianity Today posted an interesting interview with producer Mark Burnett and his wife Roma Downey (who will portray Mary) about their new mini-series, The Bible, which airs this Sunday, March 3:

There have been many attempts to bring the Bible to the screen. What makes this project distinctive?

Roma Downey: We felt it was very important to tell the story in a way that brought deep emotional connection with people. The characters in the Bible are us, in many ways. The challenges they face; their love, hopes, dreams—we can all relate to them. It is important to make the connection with the heart. It is through the heart that we embrace God. And we found this was the thread through the whole story, through the entire Bible: the cohesive tissue is the amazing love that God has for us, most evident in the birth and life of Jesus Christ and the power of his resurrection.

We also have access to CGI that no one has had before—the special effects are the work of Lola, the UK company that did CGI for the film Gladiator. We go from Abraham to the story of Moses which is quite spectacular visually. A Bible epic has never been done this way before with these new technologies. (Read more at Christianity Today.)

The Bible is a five-week miniseries that will air on the History Channel Sunday nights at 8pm beginning Sunday, March 3, 2013.

John 3:16 Super Bowl Ad

There was some controversy last week about Fox Sports rejecting a Christian group’s Super Bowl commercial for being too religious, but the 30-second ad aired right before the fourth quarter after all. Here is the slightly longer director’s cut, which I like better, but you can view both ads at the group’s website: http://lookup316.com/

John 3:16 Super Bowl Commercial – LookUp 316 (Video length: 0:45)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Related post: A John 3:16 Valentine Message

Nightline Face-Off: Does Satan Exist?

“Does Satan really exist?” That is the topic for the third Nightline Face-Off. Dan Harris moderated the debate which airs March 26, 2009 on ABC.

On one side of the debate is Deepak Chopra, famous philosopher and author of “Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment” and Bishop Carlton Pearson, author of “The Gospel of Inclusion.” They will argue that Satan does not exist … On the other side will be Pastor Mark Driscoll of the Mars Hill Church and Annie Lobert, founder of the international Christian ministry “Hookers for Jesus,” who will argue that the devil does exist, and has made a personal impact on their lives.

You can also watch the debate online here. The Mars Hill Blog has more information at: 8 Things to Know About Nightline’s Satan Debate.

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Christian TV for Kids in the Arab World

One hundred million children under the age of 15 live in the Arab world and at least half of them have access to satellite television. SAT-7 KIDS provides Christian programming for children in the Arab world 24 hours a day.

SAT-7 KIDS is the first and only Arabic Christian channel exclusively for children. This channel aims to make the Gospel of Christ available to an entire generation of young Arabs in a way meaningful to them. The channel airs original dramas, talk shows, educational material, cartoons, music programs and other shows that capture the attention of young viewers.

You can watch a live streaming broadcast of SAT-7 KIDS here. I enjoyed it even not knowing the language. (HT: 30 Days of Prayer)

Complete List of 2008 Christmas Movies

Are you wondering when your favorite Christmas special will be broadcast this year? Check out the complete list of 2008 Christmas movies.

Special Holiday Monk Episode

Monk - TV Show

Attention all Monk fans! A special, all-new holiday episode of Monk premieres this Friday night on USA. This will be the only new episode of Monk until January 2009 when the second half of season seven begins.

Detective Adrian Monk believes in such things as hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray and color-coordinated jelly beans. But does Mr. Monk believe in miracles? Find out as a special episode of Monk arrives just in time for the holidays. Catch the premiere of “Mr. Monk and The Miracle” Friday, November 28 at 9/8C only on USA Network.

In other news, USA Network has announced that Monk’s eighth and final season will debut in summer of 2009. This will be a sixteen-episode season which will bring the whole series to a close.

“We want to build to a spectacular conclusion for this wonderful show,” USA Network’s executive vice president of original programming, Jeff Wachtel, said in making the announcement. ” By many measures, Monk is the most successful series in the history of basic cable…. Our fans have been extremely dedicated, and Season 8 should prove to be a very satisfying reward.”

This is a great show, and I will be sorry to see it end, but I am glad they are at least planning for it, so that they can work towards bringing the story arc to a satisfying conclusion.

Click for related post: The Best Monk Review Ever

Around the Web – 11/6/2008

  • WEA General Assembly. The World Evangleical Alliance closed its first general assembly in six years last week with a renewed commitment to world evangelism and six major resolutions setting out an evangelical response to religious liberty, HIV and Aids, poverty, peacemaking, creation care and the global financial crisis.
  • Orcs Are Back! British film makers are hoping to recreate the magic of the Lord of the Rings trilogy in a low budget movie inspired by JRR Tolkien’s books. Born of Hope is a prequel to the fantasy novels and tells the story of the Dúnedain, the Rangers of the North, before the return of the King.
  • Brain-Computer Interface. People who are completely paralyzed due to illness or trauma are getting help communicating with a new technology that connects their brains to a computer.
  • TV and Sex. Research suggests that pregnancy rates are higher among teens who watch a lot of TV with sexual dialogue and behavior. Teens who watched shows with sexual content were twice as likely to become pregnant over the next three years as those who watched few such programs.
  • Jesus Creed Moves. Scot McKnight’s Jesus Creed blog has moved to Beliefnet. The new web address is: http://blog.beliefnet.com/jesuscreed/
  • How to Make Maple Syrup. Yum.

Helping Teens Make Responsible Media Choices

The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding | How To Use Your Head To Guard Your Heart: A 3(D) Guide To Making Responsible Media Choices

The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding has put together a new guide to help teens evaluate the media in their lives. The guide is called: How To Use Your Head To Guard Your Heart: A 3(D) Guide To Making Responsible Media Choices.

The 3(D) Guide allows you to teach your students how to move from being “mindless consumers” of media, to an approach of “mindful critique” as they learn how to filter all media through the lens of a Christian worldview. Because teenagers are at a developmental stage where intellectual and cognitive abilities are taking shape, the 3(D) Guide is a tool that allows adults to walk alongside students as they begin to develop the ability to think for themselves.

The 3(D) Guide teaches students 3 Media Evaluation Steps:

  1. Discover: Discover the message and worldview communicated in the piece of media.

  2. Discern: Evaluate attitudes, values, behaviors, beliefs and worldview elements in light of God’s Word.

  3. Decide: Make God-honoring decisions regarding their media use, consumption, and habits.

This looks like great material for youth groups, small groups or youth retreats. The cost is $17 for a pack of 10. You can download a free leaders guide here. You can also download a free media survey to get a handle on how your teens utilize media in their lives.

HT: Stand to Reason

Related posts: Taming Technology in the Home series

Little Batman

Why so serious? If your kids are too young to go see The Dark Knight, sit down and watch Little Batman with them instead. These are just too cute. Of course, you know your kids are going to want a little Batmobile of their own.

THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BATMAN

This fan film is based on the 1966 Batman TV series where a very young Bruce Wayne takes on the famous, pint-sized villains of Gotham City. Directed, shot and edited by Joe Valenti of Valenti Vision Films and produced by Jordan Wachtell.

In Part 1, the Dynamic duo discover Gotham’s latest jailbreak!
(Video length: 9:48)

 

In Part 2, the Dynamic duo discover the criminals’ secret hideout!
(Video length: 7:16)

 

In Part 3, the Dynamic duo are about to be finished off!
(Video length: 8:46)

See related posts:

The Best Monk Review Ever

Monk - TV Show

Here’s the thing. Unless I’m wrong, which, you know, I’m not, Monk is the best show on television right now. Monk is a fresh mixture of comedy, drama and good old-fashioned “who-done-it,” but always with a twist. Tony Shalhoub, the actor who plays obsessive-compulsive detective Adrian Monk, is amazing. There’s no doubt about it. He’s the guy.

Here’s what happened. My wife and I watched a few episodes and got hooked. It’s a gift — and a curse. The new Seventh Season episodes start Friday, July 18 at 9/8C. Watch it. Or pick up the DVDs and start from the beginning. Don’t worry, you’ll thank me later.

______________________________________________________________

Note for parents: Monk contains some instances of strong language. We use a language filter on our TV at home, but you may want to check out the series first before you sit down to watch with your kids.


Related post: Special Holiday Monk Episode

Who Whistled the Andy Griffith Theme Song?

One of our all-time favorite television shows is the Andy Griffith show. Just the other day we were wondering who did the whistling for the theme song at the beginning of the show. That would be Earl Hagen, who passed away earlier this week. Hagen composed original music for more than 3,000 episodes, pilots and TV movies, including the theme songs for “The Andy Griffith Show,” “I Spy,” “The Mod Squad” “That Girl,” “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” The Andy Griffith song also had lyrics called “The Fishing Hole,” written by actor Everett Sloane (who played Mr. Bernstein in Citizen Kane).

         

Click to play “whistling” theme song.
[audio:AndyGriffith_ThemeSong_Whistling.mp3]

Click to hear Andy Griffith sing “The Fishing Hole.”
[audio:AndyGriffith_ThemeSong_Singing.mp3]

“The Fishing Hole”
Music by Earle Hagen & Herbert W. Spencer
Words by Everett Sloane

Well, now, take down your fishin’ pole
And meet me at The Fishin’ Hole,
We may not get a bite all day,
But don’t you rush away.

What a great place to rest your bones
And mighty fine for skippin’ stones,
You’ll feel fresh as a lemonade,
A-settin’ in the shade.

Whether it’s hot, whether it’s cool,
Oh what a spot for whistlin’ like a fool.

What a fine day to take a stroll
And wander by The Fishin’ Hole,
I can’t think of a better way
To pass the time o’ day.

We’ll have no need to call the roll
When we get to The Fishin’ Hole,
There’ll be you, me, and Old Dog Trey,
To doodle time away.

If we don’t hook a perch or bass,
We’ll cool our toes in dewy grass,
Or else pull up a weed to chaw,
And maybe set and jaw.

Hangin’ around, takin’ our ease,
Watchin’ that hound a-scratchin’ at his fleas.

Come on, take down your fishin’ pole
And meet me at The Fishin’ Hole,
I can’t think of a better way
To pass the time o’ day.

HT: Don Surber

If American Idol Judged Preachers

   American Idol Judges - Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell

Mark Roberts has some fun imagining what it would be like if American Idol judged preachers.

Can you imagine what it might be like if the American Idol judges weighed in after your pastor’s next sermon?

Randy: Look, dude, check it out. Ya know, that really worked for me, man. That sermon was outstanding. It was da bomb!

Paula: I’m so proud of you because you’re really being yourself with us. Plus, you look great today. I just love you and can’t say anything bad about you because I never say anything bad about anybody, except Simon.

Simon: I’ve got to be honest with you, pastor. I came to hear the word of God today. But what I got was more like the baby talk of demons. You just didn’t do your homework this week. Frankly, your sermon was a nightmare! If I were you, I’d pack my bags.

I don’t think I want Simon on my board of deacons. Have you ever played “judge the preacher” during Sunday lunch after church? (Be honest now!)