A God named Ed or Bob

If you were casting a TV show in which one of the characters was God, whom would you select to play Him: Ed Asner, Martin Sheen or Bob Newhart?

In fact, all three actors played the Supreme Being in episodes of "Insight," the syndicated anthology series produced by the Paulist Fathers for about 25 years. In all, 250 half-hours of the Emmy Award-winning series were produced, and 18 of the best segments are now available on home video.

Starring in the dramas are such performers as Carol Burnett, Walter Matthau, Jack Klugman, Jack Albertson, John Ritter, Ron Howard, Della Reese and Patty Duke. The shows, written by top Hollywood screenwriters, cover such serious issues as teen suicide, the existence of evil in a world created by a good God, the healing power of love and how guilt erodes human beings -- subjects not usually covered on primetime TV.

Often, the treatment is in the form of an allegory or fantasy, forms rarely employed on television except when Christmas comes around and every sitcom copies the plot of "It's A Wonderful Life."

Themes

The "Insight" videos come grouped in sets of three that have common themes. For example, the group titled "Wrestling With God" contains the episodes in which the actors play the Deity. Asner turns up as a Creator who is trying to reconcile with Adam and Eve (Matthau and Burnett). Sheen is a white-suited Jehovah who confronts an old man (Albertson) who has locked his heart away. And Klugman is a dead man who finds his life being judged by Newhart.

Another trio, titled "Discovering Self: Teen Issues," focuses on chastity, suicide and reckless driving. The segment on chastity explores what happens to two teenagers when they decide not to have sex. Other collections are titled "Surprised by God," "Christ Incognito" and "Choices."

Also available from the Paulists is "The Fourth Wise Man." A one-hour network special from several years ago, it tells the story of the magi (Martin Sheen) who didn't make it to Bethlehem and sought Christ throughout the remainder of his life.

While families will enjoy seeing -- and talking about -- these videos, they should also appeal to such parish groups as youth ministries and adult study clubs. The shows always prompt discussion when the tape is shut off....

More tapes

Meanwhile, Oblate Media has released the latest installment of its "Saints Gallery" series, which focuses on the lives of holy men and women. Volume four, 43 minutes long, includes Peter and Paul, Clare, Thomas Aquinas, and Catherine of Siena. The series has been superbly done and is appropriate for families, schools and religious education classes.

The Oblates have also produced "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors," a video about how parishes can be more inclusive of those with mental and physical handicaps. Appearing in the video are two giants of the Church who died after it was produced: Cardinal Joseph Bernardin and Father Henri Nouwen. The video is aimed at dioceses and parishes that want direction on being more open to Catholics with disabilities.

(The "Insight" videos cost $24.95 for a set of three. "The Fourth Wise Man" is $19.95. For information, call 1-800-218-1903. For information about "Saints Gallery," which costs $19.99, call 1-800-233-4629. Call the same phone number to order "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors," which also costs $19.99.)

(12-11-97) [[In-content Ad]]