I waited in anticipation for the premier episode of Saving Grace on TNT thinking, wow, this is going to be so cool. The show, starring Holly Hunter, was heavily promoted through previews prior to its recent airing -- and came across as a mixture of Touched by an Angel meets CSI and Law & Order. Being a mystery/suspense connoisseur, I thought that finally television had come up with something that would be worthy of my time.

The show, obviously intended to tap into a spiritually interested audience, left me disillusioned and angry. Expecting a show about God’s interest in reaching those who need Him most, it seemed reasonable to anticipate some behavior from the lead character that would necessitate the title of Saving Grace. However, the apple seems to have fallen so far from the tree that there is almost absolutely no hope for her return.

The content of Saving Grace proved to be more mature than most secular shows I have seen.

Did the producers of Saving Grace truly expect the general audience to believe that this wildly alcoholic (bourbon in the morning), constantly lying, chain-smoking, foul mouthed, adulterous, rule-breaking, homicidal drunk-driving maniac represents the average soul in need of saving?

There are no endearing qualities to the title character, and the surrounding cast doesn’t fall far behind. Character development seems to be straight out of Hollywood with unbelievable lifestyles, unrealistic crimes and problems – not to mention that pistol-waving Grace speeds everywhere in her Porsche. Yep. So do all the local police detectives I know.

True to Hollywood’s form, the producers of Saving Grace obviously started with the intent of capturing their audience through a unique concept, but lost their way down the ‘sex & violence’ path.

Totally missing the mark on any form of theology that could have been garnered from this show, they treat the concept of God in a generic and non-descript almost comical way as Earl, Grace’s tobacco spitting angel, comes into the fold. Despite all that surrounds Grace in her over-the-top world, Earl’s only concern appears to be Saving Grace.

To me, I find it completely amazing that Hollywood can produce a show where the overall concept is supposed to be about saving a soul, yet the name ‘Jesus’ or ‘Christ’, is never uttered. Not even by Grace’s Angel. Maybe they couldn’t find time to fit it in with all the blue-language we hear from Grace herself.

Promoted as having a theological storyline, this show is a total flop and couldn’t be further from the truth – about anything.

It’s clear to me that there is more here that needs saving, than just Grace. I can’t help but wonder if the producers of this questionably rancorous show ever wonder about their own salvation as they place this type of entertainment on our airwaves and try to pass it off as a work of faith?

© 2008 Good News Tucson™