Lisa King
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WASHINGTON, March 3, 2013 —After the unprecedented success of “Hatfields and McCoys” on History Channel, it was just a matter of time before the network duplicated the programming formula with new subject matter. Their newest subject matter has the potential to be at least as successful as “Hatfields and McCoys.”
“The Bible” is a series that will cover “Genesis to Revelation” within five two-hour parts, each containing two or three biblical stories told through live action and computer generated imagery. The series will air every Sunday night for the next five weeks on History Channel, with the final part appropriately airing on Easter.
Roma Downey and her husband Mark Burnett are the Hollywood power couple behind the making of “The Bible.”. Time Magazine has called Burnett one of the world’s most influential people, so the question that begs to be answered is, “why this project?” For a couple who can choose virtually anything to make a film about, why choose the Bible?
As Christians who say they believe the Bible is the “living word of God,” the film Downey and Burnett have made reflects their devotion to their faith. Their goal appears to be a film as evangelical as it is entertaining. Some of the largest churches in the country have embraced the series. They have joined in on the promotion of the film in a variety of ways, and see it as a message that will resonate with “believers and nonbelievers alike.”
According to Burnett, such a broad impact is part of the series’ goal. “The faithful will see the stories of their faith. People who are not faithful will totally enjoy it because it is the greatest story ever told,” he said.
SEE RELATED: An Interview with Roma Downey - Touched By An Angel Inspiration Collection
Their goal is a lofty one. Ten hours of anything is a lot to ask of our multi-tasking and short attention span society. Then again, their timing is perfect. Faith, in whatever form people choose to embrace it in, is an elusive thing, especially these days.
Maybe Downy and Burnett’s more realistic goal is to tell a compelling story about what ordinary people can accomplish with faith, and perhaps inspire the viewer in the process. There have certainly been worse reasons to make a film.
Besides that, it beats the heck out of watching Donald Trump being Donald Trump on Celebrity Apprentice any day.
Tonight’s viewing:
All times are EST:
8 p.m.
ABC: Once Upon a Time: (New) When Mary Margaret learns of Cora and Regina’s plan for the dagger, she resolves to find it first; Mr. Gold continues his search for Bae; the Blue Fairy offers Snow White an enchantment to save her mother.
CBS: Amazing Race 22: (New) The race continues in New Zealand where the teams participate in a shemozzle obstacle course that includes mud slides. Meanwhile, David’s debilitating leg injury threatens to cut short his journey with his son Connor.
FOX: The Simpsons: (New) Homer uncovers a family secret and learns that Grampa was once known as “Gorgeous Godfrey,” the most feared and vilified wrestler on the pro circuit, but when Bart starts to emulate some of his grandfather’s villainous ways; it’s up to the old man to set the young man straight.
NBC: Dateline NBC: (New) Lottery winners are profiled. Included: their fears of losing their fortune; an interview with Donald Trump, who shares financial advice.
History Channel: The Bible: (New) Part 1 of 5. Noah endures the wrath of God; the Israelites are led out of Egypt by Moses.
8:30 p.m.
FOX: The Cleveland Show: (New) With the promise of six-months severance pay, Cleveland deep-sixes his job, but is having a tough time trying to find a way to tell Donna. Meanwhile, Federline forgets his and Roberta’s anniversary, so Rallo finds her a handsome new man, who turns out to be quite the disciplinarian when it comes to children.
9 p.m.
ABC: Red Widow: (New) Marta has tried to stay out of her father’s world of organized crime, but everything changes after her loving husband is brutally murdered; in order to absolve a debt to a crime boss, Marta must import a shipment of drugs.
CBS: The Good Wife: When the Justice Department refuses to reveal who will be testifying against Eli, Elsbeth takes Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Perrotti to civil court for defamation in order to force him to answer her questions under oath. Meanwhile, Jordan helps Peter prepare for a debate and Alicia’s relationship with her co-workers evolves.
FOX: Family Guy: (Repeat) Chris, a victim of freshman hazing in high school, runs away to South America. Meanwhile, Peter gets a job in a brewery. One of the perks is free beer, and Peter reacts to it predictably. Carrie Fisher provides the voice of his supervisor, Angela.
NBC: The Celebrity Apprentice: (New) Season 13 opens with 14 returning celebrities tasked to sell meatballs in a charity competition, but there are beefs due to a power struggle and an unorthodox approach to the mission. Stars include Trace Adkins, Stephen Baldwin and Gary Busey.
AMC: The Walking Dead: (New) Since they are outgunned against the Governor’s forces, Rick undertakes a mission to get more weapons.
SHOWTIME: Shameless: (New) Fiona makes an important decision about the fate of the kids, and Frank attempts to get sober for a court appearance.
9:30 p.m.
FOX: Bob’s Burgers: (New) Gene is flush with excitement when he discovers and befriends an expensive talking toilet, and when Louise and Tina become privy to his secret he recruits them to help hide his new buddy from a villainous toilet hunter.
10 p.m.
CBS: The Mentalist: (New) The remains of an elderly heiress are uncovered in her eerie mansion, and the CBI have a long list of suspects for her homicide.
SHOWTIME: House of Lies: (New) Marty faces a moral dilemma when he discovers his client’s role in a cover-up scheme, and Jeannie attempts damage control.
History Channel: Vikings: (New) A Viking warrior seeks approval from his community’s leader in the opener of this series chronicling the medieval adventures of a band of Norsemen.
10:30 p.m.
SHOWTIME: Californication: (New) Hank and Becca go to Atticus’ house and meet his latest visitor, guest star Marilyn Manson.
Basic cable:
New episodes of:
Wild West Alaska at 8 p.m. on Animal Planet
Wicked Tuna: Hooked Up at 8 p.m. on NGC
Cupcake Wars at 8 p.m. on Food Channel
The Bible at 8 p.m. on History Channel
Amish Mafia at 8 p.m. on DSC
Tricked Out Trains at 8 p.m. on Travel Channel
The Real Housewives of Atlanta at 8 p.m. on BRAVO
Gator Boys at 9 p.m. on Animal Planet
Shahs of Sunset at 9 p.m. on BRAVO
Kourtney and Kim Take Miami at 9 p.m. on E!
Worst Cooks in America at 9 p.m. on Food Channel
Wicked Tuna at 9 p.m. on NGC
Gypsy Sisters at 9 p.m. on TLC
Talking Dead at 10 p.m. on AMC
Finding Bigfoot at 10 p.m. on Animal Planet
Iron Chef America at 10 p.m. on Food Channel
Vikings at 10 p.m. on History Channel
Mudcats at 10 p.m. on NGC
Bar Rescue at 10 p.m. on SPIKE
Welcome to Myrtle Manor on TLC
Mob Wives at 10 p.m. on VH1
For movie lovers:
8 p.m.
The Ninth Gate on FLIX
Black Swan on FMC
The A-Team on FLIX
The Lucky One on HBO
Entrapment on REELZ
Annie Hall on TCM
The Iron Lady on TMC
9 p.m.
American Wedding on HBO
Double Jeopardy on TNT
Spartacus: War of the Damned on STARZ
Later tonight:
Enchanted at 9:30 p.m. on ABCFAM
Short Cuts at 10 p.m. on SUND
The English Patient at 10 p.m. on TMC
Striking Distance at 10:05 p.m. on ENC
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