Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 05/19/23

Channeling the future of TV. Over the past week or so I’ve reported on the upcoming slates of the successful faith-based distributors Angel Studios and Pure Flix. We’ve also seen the so-called mainstream broadcast networks (including, in order, CBS, NBC, Fox, ABC and The CW) announce their fall plans (many of which are likely to be disrupted by the writers strike).

While faith-based projects are often criticized (often justifiably) for their oversimplification of issues and preachiness, the truth, IMHO, is that the so-called mainstream entertainment providers are just as guilty with an agenda that tilts much more heavily toward what can be termed the Woke perspective. Whether you lean more toward the traditional values of positive faith, family and patriotism (like me) or favor disruption of norms and redefinition of values (and words) as a means toward progress, lacking a sense of nuance while talking down to your audience (at least those you disagree with) makes for poor drama and ineffective persuasion. So House creator David Chase‘s admonition to TV writers to avoid strawmen and preaching is , to me, good literary advise.

I also like his exercise for writers (that we might all be wise to try): “Pick any issue in any area – politics, religion, science, anything! – and write a paragraph of what you believe – and then write a second paragraph of what people who fundamentally disagree with you believe.” He goes on “I just don’t think writers do that enough. There’s not this recognition that the person who disagrees with you has thought (the issue) through as well and just reached a different conclusion. Which is a long way of saying right real people.”

For a concise lesson in how that’s done, check out last night’s Young Sheldon season finale.

Anyway, I’m a guy who loves traditional linear network television – and thinks it has tremendous power to bring people of all faiths, opinions and backgrounds together by offering big tent American cultural experiences that we all can relate to and share. Unfortunately, I think the corporations that now run the networks have, to a large degree, squandered that power. Over the next five posts, I intend to look at the programming presentations offered by the five networks and throw in my two cents about their fall TV schedules, where I think they’re coming from and where they’re going. I may even have some well-intentioned advice from a guy who wants them to succeed.

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.