American TV hits a new low

[sombrefan]

NBC Readies Apocalypse Series

NBC is partnering with writer David Seltzer (The Omen) and producer Gavin Polone to develop a six-to-eight-hour limited series based on the apocalypse as foretold in the Book of Revelation, Variety reported. NBC hopes to roll out the series right after its broadcast of the Athens Olympics in late August, airing an hour a week as an event designed to create momentum for the fall season, the trade paper reported.

Set just before the start of armageddon, the series will follow two central characters, a physicist and a nun, who are racing against the clock to see if the apocalypse can be averted. It's possible the limited series could include an antichrist character, sources told the trade paper. The series is as yet untitled.

I blame those crappy Left Behind books which rival anything written by L. Ron Hubbard in terms of awfulness. Yes I may be an atheist but I would read a well written well plotted Christian apocalypse series. Mind it would have to be a short series so it wouldn't stink of "how long can the writer stretch this out?". Bit like what Ennis did with Preacher. He kept it short and sweet.

Didn't NBC do that atomic train min-series? That stunk too. No wonder all the good stuff is on cable these days (apart from Angel obviously).

Comments

to be honest

[swersfreakshow.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's a bad idea.

the fact is most TV movies are crap.

A physicist and a nun.

[funkmastermo.livejournal.com]

Think of the inherent wackiness that this odd-couple pairing will provide. Like, maybe on their way to visit the antichrist character, they can encounter a demon at a gate, and he can say "None shall pass!" and the nun will just keep on walking.

That wacky nun.

I suggest they call the movie "That Wacky Nun."

In fairness to American television...

[anthonyzisa.livejournal.com]

This is hardly a "new low." Revelations is a huge source of inspiration for a number of stories across a variety of media.

In addition, I'd say many projects don't sound that great when they're described by the suits in the trade papers. "Angel" and "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer," if described by suits, would probably get a similar reaction, namely, "Oh, Christ, why the hell would they put THAT on television?" Likewise, there's absolutely nothing to indicate that it won't be well-written (well, other than the fact that it's a made-for-broadcast-television mini-series). Once again, looking subjectively at, say, "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer," what had Joss Whedon done before making a name for himself? He co-wrote "Toy Story," did a rewrite for "Speed" (though his name doesn't appear in the movie's credits), and most recently before "Buffy," he wrote "Alien: Resurrection." "From the writer of 'Alien: Resurrection' comes a television series about a former cheerleader who kills vampires under the tutolege of the school librarian!" See what I mean?

And I quite liked "The Omen." Great, great flick. So that its writer is attached seems to be a bonus for me.

Preacher is not about the Apocolypse, nor was it short and sweet. The series could have stood to lose nearly an entire storyarc worth of extraneous issues. The initial motivations of the Grail are to bring about the Apocolypse, but that quest is soon shunted to the side when Starr becomes All-father and turns it into a revenge quest over his missing penis. If Preacher can be described as anything, it's as an Ennisian twist on the cliché of "finding God."

--acz

[simonf.livejournal.com]

See it from my eyes, a somewhat cynical atheist from Northern Europe who is used to decent standards of public television. Now if this was proposed in the UK, it would get laughed out of court and there would be howls of protest from the British media about Christian bias in television.

Regarding Preacher, I was talking about short and sweet compared to other successful comic series. From my understanding and I could be wrong here Ennis didn't want to do a long series but Vertigo did.

Omen rocked, but avoid any of the books that go past the third one. Pretty bloody awful.

Just out of curiosity...

[jpatricklemarr.livejournal.com]

and with all due respect... Have you read the Left Behind books? I have, and although they are a far cry from the best literature I read, they are fun and interesting. As a Christian, I am not quite certain I agree with their account of the end times, and quite shocked that they have achieved such acclaim as they fully promote Christianity. Then again, many bands that started in the Christian circuit (Evanescence, POD, Chevelle, Sixpence None the Richer, etc.) have also gained acclaim in the general populace. We all have different beliefs... and like you, some are atheists... it doesn't bother me when TV shows atheism, mind-reading, or things that I find either hard to understand (atheism) or laughable (mind-reading). I just shrug and let it go. No doubt, from the premise you described, I will shrug this show off as well. I propose it is the easiest way for everyone to have their freedom and just get along. Shrug off what you don't get and assume that someone gets it or it wouldn't be on.

On the other hand, I (like most) choose what I watch and read according to what I'm comfortable with. Although I may not agree with all the theology in the LB books, I read them because they are fun to read in a soap-opera-y way. Ennis' Preacher was never something I was comfortable with because of my own beliefs, but I never tried to shut him down. I just didn't give him my money. (I admire some of his other work, so he has my respect...just didn't care for Preacher.) The great thing about the world we live in is that there are always people with different views to keep life interesting. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us, Simon. I hope you don't mind me playing devil's advocate, so to speak.

J

[simonf.livejournal.com]

I've read the first three books. The first book I bought out of curiousity (cause I read about this publishing success) when I went stay with Robyn the first time. I read it and thought it was awful. Badly written with one dimensional characters. The next two books I borrowed from my Australian flatmate Tania who was at that time belonged to a new evangelical cross platform Protestant movement (if I could remember the name I would tell you because you may have heard of it). Anyway back to the books, the main feeling I got from was that the guy was in for the money and would keep writing them until the market for them crashed. I didn't get a sense of purpose from them.

And I'm really not trying to have a go at Christians as a whole here because I did appreciate everyone's kind thoughts about my mum when she nearly died a year ago.

And regarding the whole aspect of different views. I live in Northern Ireland. My country has the highest church attendance per capita or what ever it is in Western Europe. One side, there are priests who secretly supported and armed the IRA and who preach that Protestants can't be trusted and on the other side we have ministers who say the Pope was the Anti Christ and Catholics should not be trusted and who also secretly support the loyalist terrorists. The religious leaders here may say that they are trying to heal the divide here but their a sizeable minority of their minions do the opposite.

You've grown up in a country where various factions of Christianity can get along peacefully. I haven't. I'm not comfortable where any religion (or religious faction) actively tries to promote its message at the expense of others. I know the message of Christ has been perverted here by men who act in their own selfish interests and to a large extent the tide is turning against these people but it's still happening here and as long as it happens here I will always be distrustful.

And with that my mini rant and bitterness against the culture of Northern Ireland has paused. And no I don't mind you playing the devil's advocate because I genuinely admire you for your beliefs and think you're a really great guy.

Thank you, Simon...

[jpatricklemarr.livejournal.com]

And being the ignorant American that I am, I was responding from my shoes without thinking of your country's reality... probably something you get a lot from those unfamiliar with the entire situation. I can completely see why the actions of those you mention would make Christianity... or at least the organized face of it... seem hypocritical and distasteful.

I agree about 2-dimensional characters in those books, but I still find them fun. I read them more for the events unfolding than the characters I suppose. Anyway, thank you for being so kind. I've run into far too many who simply can't abide anyone of my faith sharing their viewpoint because of someone else who soured them on all Christians. Christians are human, and as such, can make our share of mistakes and screw people around like jerks from time to time. Thank you for not putting that face on all of us. *manly hugs*

On a personal note, I hope you and your lady and well. Next time you are in the states, you MUST swing through Texas so Heidi and I can show you guys a good time!

J

we will surely try!!

[rleyser.livejournal.com]

I've been to Texas!!!