Religious dramas click with viewers

DIOGO Morgado plays Jesus Christ in “The Bible.”

The biggest success story of the current TV season in the States is the unexpectedly strong showing of the limited drama series, “The Bible,” which has been viewed by more than 80 million people on the History channel. The series has been sold to 13 other countries, so its success story will continue to be told.

For our part, we’ve always known that religious dramas click with viewers, provided that they’re well-made, communicate valid insights, and avoid looking like “bathrobe” spectacles and “estampita” productions.

Our hope is that the success of the new spiritual drama series produced by Mark Burnett and his wife Roma Downey will encourage the production of other TV series and movies that will focus on the importance of faith in our faithless lives.

On the other hand . . .

On point of instructive contrast, however, the recent Holy Week observance on local TV turned out to be a decidedly un-insightful viewing experience, with the usual “Seven Last Words” sermons relying mostly on words rather than persuasive images to make their spiritual points.

Particularly dispiriting was a former beauty queen’s “sharing,” during which she kept referring to her “international” success—in the distant past. Also sadly noted was another show’s reliance, not on original footage, but on clips from old “biblical” movies. In addition, period cenaculos were trotted out, with most of their characters screaming their lines in paroxysms of “spiritual” unction.

And there were too many shows that  harped on superstitious themes and experiences, which are the very opposite of genuine encounters with God!

Much more effective and persuasive were some smaller programs that attempted to make only a few thematic points with clarity and simplicity—never mind the emotional and “apocalyptic” shrieks: When it comes to true religiosity, depth rather than bombast and brio definitely wins!