Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 02/26/25

Mere words? So, you think you know what words like “unique” and “empathy” mean but, if you listen to shows like 60 Minutes or Hollywood royalty such as Jane Fonda, you may find yourself if we’re all even talking the same language anymore.

First up, this past Sunday 60 Minutes basically spent its entire hour spouting Democratic Party talking points as to why the Trump Administration is a threat to all that is good. It’s trio of reports was capped off by a fawning profile of Trump-bashing comedian John Oliver in which at the 4:10 mark we we get this line from correspondent Bill Whitaker: “On his weekly HBO show taped in New York City his unique take on politics and intrinsic problems is what sets him apart from just about every other comedian on TV.” Excuse me? What exactly is his “unique take on politics” that “sets him apart from just about every other comedian on TV”? Are we talking about Stephen Colbert? Jimmy Kimmel? Seth Meyers? Unless “unique” suddenly means the same as everyone else, I don’t know what Bill is talking about- but he asserts it and we’re supposed to buy it. Sorry, Bill, but, like Trump or not, words actually have meaning. Perhaps Bill Maher or Greg Gutfeld offer some unique opinions in the world of TV comedy but John Oliver is just another corporate jester doing his corporate jester thing.

Shortly following 60 Minutes‘ linguistic subterfuge Jane Fonda was presented a Lifetime Achievement prize at the SAG Awards. To her credit, she must be doing something right. She looks great at 87 and, whether I agree with her or not, is sharp as a tack. Here’s where I disagree with her. In her speech she tried to turn the now oft-maligned word “Woke” into a something of a synonym for empathy or caring about other people (beginning at the 5:29 mark).

I’m sorry but, given the proclivity of practitioners of Woke (which I capitalize because it is something of a fear-and-guilt-based religion) to cancel and seek to destroy anyone whose life experiences leads them to different conclusions than those approved the microphone holders, I would say that, for many people, Wokism has come to mean pretty much the opposite of empathy for those with whom you disagree. It has become a control mechanism to tamp down not just dissent but any serious and honest discussion of issues whatsoever.

Wokism has also become a distortion and perversion of the classical liberalism that actually stood for tolerance and empathy – and gave us the true Civil Rights Movement that is actually embraced by those of us on the center right of American politics today. Except for abortion, most conservatives are on board with all the classical liberal values that have moved our country forward. That includes the legalization of gay marriage which very few conservative have any interest in challenging. Why won’t liberals just take all Ws and distance themselves from the authoritarian and often crazy impulses of modern-day Wokism?  The mission now should be to maintain the gains – and not to allow a positive movement to be usurped by Woke authoritarianism and, frankly, craziness.
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Tomorrow Prime Video releases the official soundtrack to its biblical series House of David. The series, BTW, also debuts tomorrow with three episodes dropping. After that, one new episode will be released each week. The series stars Michael Iskander fresh off his role in the Tony Award-winning musical, Kimberly Akimbo. House of David also stars Ali Suliman (Jack Ryan, Arthur the King) as King Saul, Ayelet Zurer (Angels And Demons, Man Of Steel) as Saul’s wife Queen Ahinoam, Stephen Lang (Avatar: The Way of Water, Don’t Breathe) as Samuel and Martyn Ford (Mortal Kombat 2, The Sandman) as Goliath.
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Fox & Friends Weekend (Saturdays and Sundays, 6-10 AM/ET), Fox News Channel’s signature weekend morning show , will kick off its 2025 Faith & Friends Concert Series on Sunday, March 9th with Christian singer Megan Woods. Other booked artists include Tasha Layton (March 16th), Cochren & Co. (March 23rd), Anne Wilson (March 30th), Crowder (April 6th), We the Kingdom (April 13th), Rhett Walker (April 19th) and Josiah Queen (Easter Sunday, April 20th)
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Could this be the basis of a pretty good Frasier spinoff? The amateur TV programmer in me says CBS should pick up Frasier (which was just unceremoniously cancelled by Paramount+) and add it to its Thursday night broadcast lineup (after Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage and Ghosts) followed by a spinoff catching up on the beloved original Frasier characters Niles & Daphne. A great concept for that show is laid out at the end of the Frasier clip below (beginning at 1:01).

John W. Kennedy is a writer, producer and media development consultant specializing in television and movie projects that uphold positive timeless values, including trust in God.