Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith and media:

Continuing my list of the 25 Most Inspiring/Feel-Good TV series in the history of broadcast television…

The rules: Each show chosen has to have aired for free (the way TV should be), feature ongoing characters, have a positive theme and, especially, be liked by me. Entries are presented in alphabetical order.

1. All in the Family (CBS/9 seasons: 1971-79)

2. Ben 10 (Cartoon Network/12 seasons: 2005-14)

3. The Big Bang Theory (CBS/12 Seasons: 2007-2019)
Wikipedia Premise: The show originally centered on five characters living in Pasadena, California: Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), both physicists at Caltech, who share an apartment; Penny (Kaley Cuoco) , a waitress and aspiring actress who lives across the hall; and Leonard and Sheldon’s similarly geeky and socially awkward friends and co-workers, aerospace engineer Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg) and astrophysicist Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar). Over time, supporting characters were promoted to starring roles, including neuroscientist Amy Farrah Fowler, microbiologist Bernadette Rostenkowski, experimental physicist Leslie Winkle (Sara Gilbert), and comic book store owner Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman).
Show History: Hugely popular with the public (becoming the #1 show on television in Season 7) but dismissed by many critics the show, nonetheless, garnered 46 Emmy seven nominations and seven wins (including four well-deserved Best Lead Actor in a Comedy prizes for Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper) over its 12 seasons/279 episodes.  It’s produced by Chuck Lorre (who has three other shows on this list), this generation’s Norman Lear.  
Positive Theme: “Sometimes it’s the imperfect stuff that makes things perfect.”

Why I like it: Scenes like the one above. Big Bang is one of those few shows that manages to produce truly laugh-out-lout character-driven comedy and sweet, lump-in-the-throat moments that flow naturally with no sense of being contrived or forced. Plus, while Sheldon was an amazing character played to perfect imperfection by Parsons, the other stars and its many, many supporting and recurring were well-drawn and relatable.
The relationships between the lead characters were funny and heartwarming. A group of people who don’t quite fit in with the rest of the world finding deep and lasting friendships (and marriages) with one another is simply a kind and uplifting idea for a show that will live on as one of broadcast television’s best. 
Nitpicking: While a cute little show from the very beginning, the show only really began gaining steam in Season 3 with the introduction of the Amy and Bernadette as love interests for Sheldon and Howard and female friends for Penny.
Best Episodes: You can’t go wrong with almost any episode from Season 3 on but if I were to name a best (which I guess I am), it would have to be the series finale where Sheldon and Amy share a Nobel Prize (for their theory on the Asymmetric Universe) and their acceptance speeches which beautifully summarizes the overall themes of the show. One of the best TV finales ever.

And then there’s this…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=mOibkaP4g8I&feature=emb_logo

BTW, I’ve written about this show before. You can check out my previous post about it here.

______

UPtv has announced today that the box-office hit film I Can Only Imagine will make its U.S. cable premiere on the network.
I Can Only Imagine tells the inspiring true story  behind MercyMe’s chart topping song of the same name. UP will debut the film Saturday, Sept. 5 at 9 p.m. ET and Sunday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. ET. I Can Only Imagine is Roadshow Attractions highest-grossing film ever with 83.5M domestically and 86.1M worldwide.

“We are proud to premiere this star-studded hit film that is not only a highly-entertaining movie, but also is a powerful true story about forgiveness and following your dreams,” says Hector Campos, vice president content strategy & acquisitions for UPtv. “UPtv strives to uplift viewers with our programming, and I Can Only Imagine certainly delivers on that. This is the perfect addition to our robust movie offering on the network.”

Synopsis: Growing up in Greenville, Texas, Bart Millard suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father, Arthur. When Arthur becomes terminally ill, he finds redemption by embracing his faith and rediscovering his love for his son. Years later, Bart’s troubled childhood and mended relationship with his dad inspires him to write the hit song “I Can Only Imagine” as singer of the Christian band MercyMe. The movie stars J Michael Finley, Madeline Carroll, Dennis Quaid, Trace Adkins, Cloris Leachman and Jason Burkey. I Can Only Imagine is Roadshow Attractions highest-grossing film ever with 83.5M domestically and 86.1M worldwide.

By the Numbers:  UPtv is the fastest growing entertainment network in the second quarter.*

*Source: Nielsen, C3, W2554 (000), Total Day ASC Rank, 2Q20 vs 2Q19 excl news net.