Glen here…

This is something of a follow-up to yesterday’s post about TNT messing around with CRUSADE, a spin-off series to BABYLON 5.

In that article, I reference a miniseries based on Jesus. I mention that a European producer had approached TNT about producing and airing his concept, indicating that said producer fled TNT after he learned of the network’s desire to make so "alterations" to the Jesus mythos - taking the project with him to another network.

A lot of people posted "talkbacks" or sent e-mail indicating I was completely wrong in my assertion that TNT had (potentially) mistreated the Jesus concept. Below, I have posted an article on the topic which originally appeared on Yahoo / Reuters "entertainment wire". I have also heard confirmation from independent sources who indicated TNT was indeed interested in making some peculiar alterations to this Jesus project.

I realize that - at this point in time - reporting on what happened way back in July is neither here nor there. But I thought some Coaxial readers might find this interesting, as…since being referenced for the first time on Coaxial last night…this concept has already been nick-named "Jesus: The New Adventures", "Jesus Kicks Butt", and "SuperJesus" by readers of this page. Interestingly enough, some readers actually want to see a suped-up Son of God hit the airwaves. Maybe TNT has something here after-all?

Also, I suppose a part of me is posting this simply to demonstrate to the masses I am *not* completely insane, and am not prone to simply "making things up" - as had been implied by a few "talkback" posts which suggested the events outlined below never happened.

Presumably, you guys still trust me enough not to think I forged the article which appears below. But if you have any doubts, go to DejaNews and type in the title of the article below as a search perimeter. That should put suspicions to rest.

Undoubtedly, some of you will say the article is nothing more than the political posturing of an offended producer. Maybe so, or maybe it indicates more than meets the eye. Either way, here’s the article I referenced yesterday - for your consideration.

Monday July 20 8:24 AM EDT

Jesus may bless CBS

By John Dempsey

NEW YORK (Variety) - CBS is close to a deal to buy the U.S. rights to a new four-hour $17 million miniseries on the life of Jesus, after the film's producers ended negotiations with TNT over creative differences.

"We walked away from TNT because it wanted to fill the movie with magic and special effects, featuring a Jesus who flew through the air," executive producer Lorenzo Minoli said from Rome.

A TNT executive, who requested anonymity, acknowledged that "we wanted something different from just another miniseries with actors in togas walking endlessly through the sands.

"Without being irreverent, we wanted to bring out the spirituality and the mysticism and do it in an entertaining way," the executive said.

TNT had suggested turning Gabriel, the archangel, into a Merlin-type figure who would weave throughout the entire four hours performing magic and commenting on the action.

But one of the producers of "Jesus" said Gabriel appears in only one scene in the script, when the archangel tells Mary that she's pregnant with Jesus. "TNT wanted to turn Gabriel," says this producer, "into the emcee from 'Cabaret."'

Network sources say CBS will pay about $10 million in license fees for the rights to "Jesus." The cast is still to be chosen, but production will start in Morocco probably in February 1999, for delivery to CBS for the November 1999 sweeps.

Minoli has produced a number of original biblical movies for TNT in the past, including "Joseph," which won the Emmy in 1995 for outstanding miniseries, "Jacob," "Moses," "Samson & Delilah" and "David."

As the Nielsen ratings began to slip on the biblical movies, TNT passed on Minoli's three most recent ones: "Solomon," with Ben Cross and Max von Sydow; "Jeremiah," with Klaus Maria Brandauer and Oliver Reed; and "Esther," currently in production with F. Murray Abraham and Jurgen Prochnow. Minoli says he will announce a U.S. outlet for these three shortly.

Minoli, who declined to comment on the CBS deal, said TNT had expressed interest in "Jesus" as a possible Easter perennial.

Reuters/Variety - REUTERS