DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Bible, Beyoncé & Bates Motel: This Week in Hollywood
LENT DAY 31 of 40, © NaimaLett.com/blog



© The Bible, Beyonce & the Bates Motel

Back in the LaLa!

Had a wonderful weekend of ordination and celebration, followed by a last minute audition yesterday; and this morning, I got caught up on the hot happenings in Hollywood.

Here we go!

THE BIBLE: From the Frying Pan into the Fire

Looks like History Channel’s The Bible series has jumped from the frying pan into the fire!

Previously, I posted History Channel Takes Heat on “The Bible” about how folks of faith were hot that the series took much creative license in loosely retelling some of the Biblical stories.

This week, every entertainment news feed I receive lit up with stories like Hollywood Reporter’s In History’s ‘The Bible,’ Satan Looks Like President Obama. The producers released statements saying the accusation is nonsense and Moroccan actor Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni has played satan before. The picture is above. What do you think?

Glenn Beck started the wildfire Sunday, pointing out the resemblance on Twitter. The story flew from there. Lisa Suhay, Modern Parenthood, recounted what she overheard in her Norfolk, VA after-school chess program between 2 little girls of color:
“Why’s Jesus and the good guys always white and the devil’s looking like Obama?,” one asked.
“White people make everything white,” The other answered. “Right Ms. Suhay?”

For me, this is the issue. When the producers decided to cast this 10-hour miniseries and spent $22 million on production, why did they decide to continue a trend where super heroes tend to run fair against super villains who run ethnic?

If they cast Jesus, who was Jewish, as a Portuguese actor who looks Caucasian, why not cast satan similarly? Why do little black girls in Norfolk, VA have to see the most evil villain cast in their hue… again? Besides, the devil shifts and changes and appears beautiful and tempting. So, an elderly president look-alike is most likely a little off. But, I digress.

BEYONCÉ

“I’m not going to make it,” I told my husband as Beyoncé barely finished her first verse.

Mrs. Sean Carter aka Mrs. Jay Z aka Sasha Fierce aka Bey released her new song, Bow Down this week in which the constant refrain is “Bow down, B-words”. I can’t in good conscience recommend you digest the song. I barely made it to the first chorus.

So, why even bring this up? Because many of our tween, teen and twenty-something daughters, granddaughters, sisters and friends idolize Beyoncé and she knows it.

“I know when you were little girls, you dreamed of being in my world,” the superstar sings.
“Don’t forget it, don’t forget it, respect that. Bow down, b*——“

Be clear, Fam. The only person I’m bowing down to is the Lord.

In Matthew 4:8-10, “…the devil took him (Jesus) to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”

Let’s pray for Beyoncé and other artists with worldwide influence, Fam. One of my friends posted a video recently where she went to a Lady Gaga concert and refused to go back because GaGa “wanted our worship. She asked for our souls.” When folks start asking for us to bow down to them, we’re moving in a pretty scary direction. Let’s turn this ship around.

BATES MOTEL

Lastly, this week saw the premiere of A&E Network’s new original drama series, Bates Motel.

Why is Hollywood excited about this prequel to Hitchcock’s Psycho set in modern times? Because it became the network’s most-watched original drama series debut in the key demographic of 18-49 with 4.6 million viewers.

Vera Farmiga is a wonderful actress and Freddie Highmore holds his own, but FYI, this one is twisted, Fam. From the preview, it looks like it opens with rape and violence and at any moment the mother and son might have an incestuous relationship. Critics are calling it “edgy” and “provocative”. That’s industry language for shock, shock, shock value.

Just giving you a heads up, if you thought you were going to sit down with popcorn and get another trip through The Twilight Zone. :=)

That’s a Wrap

That’s a wrap so far this week in Hollywood.
I’m teaching at a worship conference for the next 3 days and got tons to do before I depart.

Lots of love from the LaLa,
Naima

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