Monday, March 18, 2013

"...Mark and Roma, Candor, Hubris, or Grandeur?"

Tell me readers...were these people very calculating, and [intentionally] sinister, meaning to cast aspersions, on the man Barack Obama; or is the whole similarity [purely] coincidental?  Both Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, have been in this business long enough, to know how important it is; to cast the right actor [to fit the part], and expand the audience's belief, of the character!  I'm sure that Roma Downey was aware, that her appearance, and demeanor had a [major] part to play in her being selected; for the character of "Monica", in "Touch By An Angel"!  Why wasn't Downey's character [The Virgin Mary], played by someone; of Moroccan/Middle Eastern ethnicity?  After all, that would have fitted very well with history...I'm sure they could have found some.  Mark Burnett, who produced "Are you smarter than a 5th Grader", should have seen, and known that; it was not a "smart" idea, in the casting of this character...and that it was going to have the impact, that we're seeing!  I'm not trying to imply racism but, they don't help the situation; when all of the others are [generally] Anglos, and not from the region, and/or ethnicity!  When Christians speak of The Bible, the number one figure [and rightfully so], is Jesus Christ; as Christianity, is "the following of Christ"!  Jesus Christ [according to history -- The Bible] was a Jew; yet when casted, and/or depicted in visual settings, he's [almost] always of Anglo descent, with long straight hair, blue or green eyes...this [again] is no accident!  When casting these characters, it appears that the main, or sole purpose [consciously or subconsciously], is to project the sense that HE is Lord, HE is The Most High, HE is good; therefore, HE has to be of Anglo descent!  No matter which version of The Holy Bible one reads, The Man "Jesus Christ", HIS Mother, Siblings, and followers/disciples, were not Anglos; and the ethnic origin of "Satan", the ever changing, universal patriarch of evil, is unknown.  Because of their shortsightedness, a project to tell a great story; has been met with ridicule, and harsh cynicism...and [probably] rightfully so!  Because Mark and Roma claim to have such high regards for Mr. Obama; they should have taken the aura of haters surrounding his presidency, the things that they do and say to diminish his value into consideration, and been more careful...unless [of course] it was their intentions, in the first place!  Their choice for this part, has only created a quagmire, and fed the likes of [who was the first to point it out] Glen Beck, the Republicans/Tea Party, FOX, etc., giving them more ammunition; to add to their already vile, and juvenile, overrated  arsenal!  Mark and Roma should take a step back, take a good, and bold look at the "big picture", and honestly say that their careless, and/or shortsightedness, is innocent of the scrutiny that is being unleashed upon it!  Unapologetic grandstanding can, and will only bring on more query!  ...I'm just saying!       


MAR
18
2 HRS

History, Mark Burnett Defend Satan's Similarity to President Obama in 'The Bible'

The cable network and EP dismiss claims that the devil was cast for his similarity to the commander in chief, adding that they have "the highest respect" for the president.

The Bible Satan Obama Split - H 2013
The History Channel; Getty Images
After getting flack for casting choices in The Bible, History has come out in defense of what many are calling a similarity between the actor who plays Satan and the president of the United States. 

The network released a joint statement with executive producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey on Monday morning, shortly after the devil sparked President Obama comparisons with his first appearance in the highly-rated miniseries.
STORY: In History's 'The Bible,' Satan Looks Like President Obama
“History channel has the highest respect for President Obama," read the network statement. "The series was produced with an international and diverse cast of respected actors. It's unfortunate that anyone made this false connection. History’s The Bible is meant to enlighten people on its rich stories and deep history.”
Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni plays Satan in History's The Bible, and his resemblance to Obama was first pointed out on Twitter by Glenn Beck ahead the of the episode's premiere.
“This is utter nonsense," said Burnett and Downey. The actor who played Satan, Mehdi Ouzaani, is a highly acclaimed Moroccan actor. He has previously played parts in several Biblical epics -- including Satanic characters long before Barack Obama was elected as our president."
TV Review: 'The Bible'
As the two pointed out, this is not Ouazanni's first religious outing. His past telepics include David (1997), Jeremiah (1998), In the Beginning and The Ten Commandments (2006).
Downey, who also plays the Virgin Mary in The Bible, added that they are, in fact, fond of the president.
"Both Mark and I have nothing but respect and love our President, who is a fellow Christian," said Downey. "False statements such as these are just designed as a foolish distraction to try and discredit the beauty of the story of The Bible.”
The Bible continues on History, airing Sundays at 9 p.m., through Easter.