'Daniel' can't duck the culture wars-first show tonight on NBC

[realFedUp]

http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/cl-et-daniel6jan06,0,2661271.story?coll=cl-home-more-channels

'Daniel' can't duck the culture wars
NBC airs its first show about a troubled priest tonight. The complaints have been aired already.
By Matea Gold
Times Staff Writer

January 6, 2006

NEW YORK — The latest skirmish in the culture wars revolves around a mild-mannered Episcopal priest who nurses a secret Vicodin habit and regularly sees and converses with Jesus.

The Rev. Daniel Webster, played by Aidan Quinn, is the main character in NBC's drama "The Book of Daniel," a series premiering tonight at 9 about an earnest but often harried New England minister and his efforts to cope with the challenges of modern-day parenthood — including a moody teenage daughter who is caught selling marijuana to finance her manga animation — and the politics of leading a church congregation. Along the way, he consults with a very real-looking Jesus, a character who looks as if he stepped straight off the canvas of "The Last Supper."

Even before it has aired, the show has added fuel to a building debate about the portrayal of faith and religion in popular culture. The American Family Assn., a conservative Christian organization based in Tupelo, Miss., launched a campaign to get local NBC affiliates not to air the program, arguing that it is disrespectful of Christians. By Thursday afternoon, stations in Terre Haute, Ind., and Little Rock, Ark., had decided not to show it.

Meanwhile, some Episcopal priests are urging their congregants to watch the program, saying that it offers a refreshingly candid portrayal of religious leaders and showcases the Episcopal Church as a tolerant denomination. The Episcopal Diocese of Washington has even launched the Blog of Daniel — found at blog.edow.org/weblog — a website designed to spur discussion about the issues raised on the program.

continued

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I will have to check that out, thanks!

[RevCheesehead]

2. KICK - It's on tonight!!

2-hour premiere on NBC, 9/8 central.

[realFedUp]

3. After watching the first episode....

I don't think the fundies will have to worry
about this show. It's going to die a natural death.
The writing isn't that great...not exactly 7th Heaven.
I did like the scenes with Jesus in them though.

[Critters2]

4. And there were things that were just over the top

Like the two bishops having an affair while the wife of one is suffering from alzheimer's. I've known some less than ethical judicatory execs, but that was just too much. Too cynical in general. Unless the writing improves, I don't see it being around long.



Off to a hospital visit! Have a good 'un!

:hi:

[RevCheesehead]

5. I loved it.

I thought it brought a degree of honesty to spirituality - especially Jesus as friend and companion. I also thought it was funny, and had some :rofl: moments as well.

If given enough time, the characters will develop. Remember that pilot episodes often ARE over-the-top, just to draw people in. I think that if it started any slower, people would have been bored and disappointed.

[realFedUp]

6. I will probably watch another to see if it gets better....

don't the frames that turn into stained glass windows
remind you of the original Wild Wild West ones...

[flamingyouth]

7. We taped it Friday and watched it last night.

We loved it! The writing is very good and at times just riotously hilarious! :rofl:

I wonder if it will last on NBC, though. Friday night is not a hot TV slot. I think this show would be great on cable if NBC drops it.

[RevCheesehead]

8. I wouldn't be surprised if USA network rescued it.

Isn't that what happened with "Monk"? And look at the ratings! :)

[elshiva]

9. I didn't get to see it! DARNATION!

:(

[RevCheesehead]

10. I think you would have loved it.

Check the TV schedules - maybe they'll repeat it on a cable channel (NBC does that with Law & Order, and a few other shows).

[elshiva]

11. Sorry, I don't get cable!

:( I was up to no good on Friday night. Sorry! :(

[RevCheesehead]

12. Hopefully, you had fun.

:evilgrin:

[elshiva]

13. I had fun, but did something wrong

and I am very confused... :(

[RevCheesehead]

14. I saw your post in the Lounge...

Praying for you, whatever it is. :hug:

[elshiva]

15. Thanks, I pray for you everyday!

:hug:

[RevCheesehead]

16. Gracious God,

My sister elshiva is hurting, and I pray that you will bring her peace. Show us how we may help, and lead us all in your ways of love. Amen.

:hug:

[elshiva]

17. Thanks so much!

:hug:

[RevCheesehead]

18. Alright. I tried to reply, but the lounge thread is locked.

Sweetheart, very calmly, tell me what's going on. PM me, if you'd rather keep it off the board, OK? There are a lot of very worried people. :hug:

[elshiva]

19. I'm going to Hell.

[funflower]

20. No. You absolutely are not.

You may have some "hell" to pay to set things right, but it will be in this life, not the next.