Steve Urkel Finds God

Finding Jesus is a big moment in any person’s life. Millions have experienced this powerful spiritual moment, but your evening television program probably has not.  But on one episode of the ‘90s TGIF hit Family Matters, the lovably irksome Steve Q. Urkel bucks tradition, finds faith in the Lord, and puts a little extra meaning … Continue reading →

Loss and Success on Grey’s

The birth of an impossible baby, giving sight to the blind, and the death of a firstborn son. Amidst these storylines, Grey’s Anatomy gave their faithful viewers perhaps the most honest and relatable spiritual episode the show has seen in its 11 seasons.  And it did so with more poignancy than most primetime shows would … Continue reading →

Something in the Water: Celebrity Religion

With the release of her new music video for “Something in the Water,” Carrie Underwood skips the religious iconography and draws on So You Think You Can Dance interpretive talent to show off her personal side.  This time it’s not the highs or lows of lovesickness, it’s spiritual strength.  And it takes just that – … Continue reading →

Six shows to watch

As the Fall TV season starts unveiling its pilot episodes, ushering in new hits and misses, here are 3 newbies and 3 returners that may offer some interesting religious stories this year…  NEW SHOWS:  Will we be pleased?  YES… Red Band Society (FOX) Wednesdays at 9:00pm EST Pilot Premieres: September 17 Why:  This may be … Continue reading →

Will your faith survive The Leftovers?

Is your faith strong enough to withstand tragedy?  Or perhaps, is it flexible enough?  What if you are forced to admit that it does not provide you all of the answers, or that some of the answers you had may have been wrong?  Will you reject your former beliefs and scorn those who do not?  … Continue reading →

Christmas in the 1960s (in July!)

Snow falls, Santa dons his red coat, and a would-be Scrooge learns to appreciate “the spirit of Christmas.”  These tropes warm the hearts of viewers as they cozy up on their couches to watch the holiday classics of the 1960s (all-year-‘round, thanks to cable TV syndication!).  According to a new study, though, something has always … Continue reading →

Best Religious Movie Ever? Moms’ Night Out Review

Moms’ Night Out might be the best and most important Christian movie since The Passion of the Christ.  While Gibson’s Passion made the life of Christ movingly real for modern viewers, Jon and Andrew Erwin’s Moms’ Night Out makes the real lives of modern Christians engaging, funny, and simply “okay” for viewers at the neighborhood … Continue reading →

Are YouTubers talking Religion?

Traditional media does not have a fantastic track record of significant, nuanced portrayals of religious belief and practice.  Stereotypes abound in the studio-model of creating blockbuster entertainment media.  As online video semi-democratizes content creation, though, is there a new opportunity?  Might YouTube be a rich site for religious reference?  Maybe… The best and brightest hope … Continue reading →

The Good Wife keeps its Faith: More religion coming in Season 5?

Competing with the ratings-busting series finale of AMC’s acclaimed Breaking Bad, CBS’s The Good Wife proved once again that its writers are among the best in the business.  In the season 5 premiere watched by nearly 9 million viewers, the drama, wit, and legal intrigue were out in full force.  Along with them was a … Continue reading →

Project Runway respects Mormon fashion taste [RM QuickPost]

“One day you’re in and the next day you’re out!” Project Runway’s Heidi Klum says.  Respect for religious modesty was IN on Thursday night as the show honored the taste level of Mormon superfan-turned-challenge-model Tristen. Designer Justin LeBlanc gave Tristen Seal of Sachse TX a modest but fashionable dress in the “real women” challenge, with … Continue reading →