Father Barron to Be L.A.’s Bishop Barron

July 21, 2015 By Kate O'Hare

It’s such an obviously awesome and appropriate move that one can hardly believe that the Vatican actually did it. Father Robert Barron, founder of the Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, producer of top-quality video content such as the groundbreaking documentary “Catholicism,” for which he was also host, is coming to Hollywood. Pope Francis has named Barron — along with Monsignor Joseph V. Brennan and Monsignor David G. O’Connell — as auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Bishop-Elect Barron... Read more

Spike’s ‘Tut’: Alexander Siddig Learns to Preach Like an Egyptian

July 19, 2015 By Kate O'Hare

TV isn’t always fussy about ethnic accuracy in casting historical dramas, but sometimes it gets pretty close. Stranger in a Strange Land British actor Alexander Siddig, one of the stars of the three-night, six-hour miniseries “Tut,” premiering Sunday, July 19, on cablenet Spike, was born in 1965 to an English mother and Sudanese father not far from the Nile River in Sudan, which is at modern Egypt’s southern border. But at the age of four, his Muslim grandmother packed him off... Read more

Outspoken Christian QB Russell Wilson Hosts Tonight’s ‘Kids’ Choice Sports Awards’

July 16, 2015 By Kate O'Hare

Forget the politicized ESPYs — and the dodgy backroom Disney maneuvering behind its choice for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award — if you want to see an awards show that’s actually about athletics, tune in tonight (Thursday, July 16) at 8 p.m. ET for Nickelodeon’s “Kids’ Choice Sports Awards,” coming live from Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California. Seattle Seahawks quarterback and public Christian Russell Wilson — who recently made headlines when the 26-year-old said he and his girlfriend, singer... Read more

Jim Gaffigan and the Priest: A Love Story

July 14, 2015 By Kate O'Hare

On Wednesday, July 15, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, TVLand premieres the half-hour comedy “The Jim Gaffigan Show.” It’s is a fictionalized version of the life of the food-loving Catholic comedian, who, together with wife Jeannie (Ashley Williams), is depicted raising five kids in a two-bedroom New York City apartment. Gaffigan and his real-life wife, also named Jeannie, are partners both in stand-up comedy writing and as executive producers of the TV series. In late May, I had an extensive chat with the Gaffigans... Read more

‘Of Kings and Prophets’: Biblical Tale Gets a Dramatic Do-Over

July 11, 2015 By Kate O'Hare

Already pulled from ABC’s fall schedule in early June, after a mixed reaction from advertisers, the Old Testament drama “Of Kings and Prophets” is getting a thorough revamp. Based on the Book of Samuel, it follows the inevitable clash of Israel’s King Saul and the young shepherd David. One hesitates to say much more about it, since no footage from the original pilot will survive. There have also been new casting announcements, including Jeanine Mason as Saul’s daughter, and Nathaniel... Read more

Stealth Catholicism: How Have I Watched ‘Any Given Sunday’ …

July 10, 2015 By Kate O'Hare

… like, 20 times over the years, and never noticed these things? I’ve always been a big fan of the 1999 Oliver Stone film (he’s kind of a loon, but I do like some of his movies — and we share the same birthday, so he can’t be all bad) about a professional football team, and I watch it about every time it comes on TV. But it was not until today that realized a few things: When Miami Sharks... Read more

‘Self/Less’: An Accidental Morality Play

July 10, 2015 By Kate O'Hare

This can’t be repeated often enough — preach in a movie, and you’ll lose the vast majority of the unconverted and a good chunk of the converted. With the possible exception of a slice of the Evangelical audience, people don’t go to movies for a sermon — religious or secular. They want to be entertained and possibly given food for thought. And if that can be achieved with some larger questions about life and morality sneaked in under the radar,... Read more

Seahawk QB Russell Wilson Talks God, All the Media Hears Is ‘No Sex’

July 7, 2015 By Kate O'Hare

Although he’s only 26, Russell Wilson has already been offered and rejected $1M to play baseball (twice), been to two Super Bowls with the Seattle Seahawks, won the first one (in only his second year in the NFL), been married (to his high school sweetheart) and divorced — and given his life to Jesus at the age of 14. Obviously, considering the divorce and the Super Bowl loss, becoming a disciple of Christ didn’t solve all Wilson’s problems, but it has... Read more

Military ‘American Ninja Warrior’: A Sailor Celebrates Life as a Gift From God

July 6, 2015 By Kate O'Hare

Tonight (Monday, July 6) on NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior,” veterans and active-duty military compete on a new iteration of the reality-competition show’s challenging obstacle courses, against the backdrop of the USS Iowa museum ship at the Port of Los Angeles. On June 6, I spent a long night at the finals of the military tryout, braving the cold (which is 65 degrees here in L.A.) to stick it out well past midnight to see the first competitor actually finish the... Read more