The TV Column

Believe it or not: Living Biblically worth a look

Living Biblically is a new CBS sitcom that stars Jay R. Ferguson as a fellow who tries to become a better person by strictly and literally following the Bible in his daily life.
Living Biblically is a new CBS sitcom that stars Jay R. Ferguson as a fellow who tries to become a better person by strictly and literally following the Bible in his daily life.

I normally would cover this new comedy in Sunday's column, but it's already packed to the gills because the Olympics are wrapping up and lots of new and returning shows are rushing in to fill the void on Sunday and Monday.

They include the highly anticipated return of The Walking Dead. See Sunday's column for details.

So, let's take an early look at CBS' latest comedy, Living Biblically, set to premiere at 8:30 p.m. Monday. It deserves some in-depth discussion because TV shows with religious themes -- pro or con -- can be off-putting for a number of viewers.

I've previewed two episodes of Living Biblically and found them even-handed and respectful of all points of view.

However, based only on the CBS commercials for the show, some viewers might assume that Living Biblically will be just another TV series that depicts religion as the refuge of the ignorant or unenlightened, practiced by rubes, hicks, yahoos and Bible-thumping bumpkins.

Those viewers will dismiss the series without a cursory glance.

Other viewers might assume that any nonreligious characters in Living Biblically will be portrayed as effete snobs and intransigent pseudo-intellectuals with a superiority chip on their shoulders. They, also, will pass on the series.

Fortunately, Living Biblically is guilty of neither sin.

TV has had past success with religious-theme series that appeal to all persuasions. Touched by an Angel, 7th Heaven, Highway to Heaven and Joan of Arcadia are examples. The comedy/drama Kevin (Probably) Saves the World is a current one.

Here's the rundown on Living Biblically.

The half-hour sitcom stars Jay R. Ferguson (Evening Shade, The Real O'Neals) as New York film critic Chip Curry, and Lindsey Kraft (Getting On) as his wife, Leslie.

When Chip (a lapsed Catholic) learns that Leslie is expecting, he is inspired to try to become a better person, husband and father for his child.

So, he heads to the local bookstore to buy everything about parenting on the shelves. He accidentally puts a Bible in his cart, but eventually figures it got there for a reason.

Chip decides to go on a "nine-month soul cleansing" by totally living his life by the Bible. Leslie, who is not religious, is skeptical and amused by Chip's new-found passion, but supports him completely.

Knowing he'll need some practical guidance, Chip forms a "God Squad" consisting of Father Gene (Ian Gomez, Cougar Town) and Father Gene's best friend, Rabbi Gil (David Krumholtz, Numb3rs).

Both respect Chip's goal no matter how unrealistic it may be in a modern world, and are glad to serve as a sounding board.

Unrealistic? Father Gene informs Chip that the Bible tells him to stone to death the office adulterer. That's frowned upon in today's world.

At the newspaper, Chip gets encouragement from his brusque and pragmatic boss, Ms. Meadows (the incomparable Camryn Manheim, The Practice), but only because his writing about his experience will sell more papers.

And so the series begins with Chip on a sincere spiritual quest toward a more moral life with the help of his wife and friends. Still, he wonders if he'll be able to live up to his lofty aspirations. An interesting interplay begins that I believe many viewers will find entertaining and even enlightening.

STREAMING STUFF

Three series will be available on two streaming services beginning Friday. Binge to your heart's content.

The Tick returns to Amazon Prime with the second half of its first season. There will be six episodes in this batch that follow the blue superhero and his sidekick as they get the ol' gang back together to fight the supervillain The Terror (Jackie Earle Haley).

Peter Serafinowicz plays The Tick, with Griffin Newman as his nerdy moth-suited sidekick, Arthur Everest.

Seven Seconds is a new 10-episode drama on Netflix. Regina King (American Crime) stars in this tense drama that revolves around the fatal hit-and-run of a black teenager from Jersey City, N.J., at the hands of an off-duty white police officer who then attempts to cover up his crime.

The series deals with racial inequality and apathy, police violence and corruption.

Seven Seconds is an anthology series and should be back for a second season.

Ugly Delicious is a new "docuseries" on Netflix featuring chef/restaurateur/author/television personality David Chang eating and drinking with chefs, writers, artists and entertainers at favorite restaurants around the world.

There will be eight gastronomic episodes.

The TV Column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Email:

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Weekend on 02/22/2018

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