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Thou-Shalt-See TV
By ROB KUTNER
Published: June 24, 2004 (NYT)

Inspired by the runaway success of religion-themed novels like the "Left Behind" series and Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," broadcasters are devoting more of their prime-time schedules to shows dealing with God, faith and the afterlife.
— Reuters, June 15

CSI: HOLY LAND (CBS) Liked "The Passion" but didn't think it dwelled on the forensics enough? The trail to Damascus is still warm for these detectives, investigating unsolved martyrdoms as to whether they qualify the victim for sainthood. Not so much a whodunit as a who-gets-beatified-for-it.

CHASTITY & SLOTH (ABC) One regards the body as a sacred temple of the divine. The other lies idle, reaping not the fruits of human industry. And now they're . . . roommates?

TUCKED BY AN ANGEL (CBS) Combining America's love of both the supernatural and the superficial, this epidermally searing drama follows a mysterious figure who moves from town to town, solving people's appearance problems, then moving on.

GODVILLE (WB) Moses begging Pharaoh to let him use the chariot. Samson being ordered to cut his hair and get a job. Jesus sulking over having to do "another stupid healing." It's all your favorite Biblical figures — back when they were still teens.

AMERICAN DESTROYER OF IDOLS (FOX) Simon Cowell gets religion, a green card — and an AK-47.

SODOMITE EYE FOR THE MAN RIGHTEOUS BEFORE THE LORD (BRAVO) Identical to "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," except that each episode ends with the Fab Five being stoned to death. (Note: working title.)

THE DISCIPLE (NBC) Sixteen of America's most pious compete to satisfy the increasingly personal whims of the great master Sri Chanamasala (né Larry Schwarzbaum of Canarsie). Who will be the one this week to get "deprogrammed"?

YAHWEH SCHMO (SPIKE) In this first-ever "divine reality" show, a group of actors seeks to fool the Omnipotent Lord of Creation (currently being "retooled").

SHARE YOUR ENTHUSIASM (HBO) Larry David becomes a born-again Christian, then goes around annoying people in an entirely new way.


Rob Kutner is a writer for "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart."