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Christianity and Celebrity Big Brother for Channel 4
Amar Singh12.11.08
A SERIES exploring alternative views on Christianity will spearhead Channel 4's winter season of programmes, it was announced today.
In what the cash-strapped broadcaster described as the most ambitious religious programming commission in its history, the series will feature eight hour-long documentaries.
The channel also confirmed the return of Celebrity Big Brother in January after it was "rested" last year following the race row involving Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty.
The documentaries will be presented by personalities including Michael Portillo, Ann Widdecombe, Rageh Omaar and Cherie Blair.
In the first programme author Howard Jacobson examines the nature of Jesus's Jewishness and Christianity's fraught relationship with its Jewish origins.
In other films in the series, Mr Portillo investigates Christianity during the time of the Roman Empire, theologian Dr Robert Beckford looks at the impact Christianity has had on Britain while Omaar fronts a documentary on Christianity's relations with Islam and the bloody legacy of the crusades.
Miss Widdecombe, who converted from Anglicanism to Catholicism, looks at the Reformation, while playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah explores how Christianity was exported "at the barrel of a gun" and leading scientist Professor Colin Blakemore examines how the scientific revolution undermined the centuries-long Biblical view of the world. For the final instalment, Mrs Blair looks at the challenges faced by Christianity in the 20th century and asks whether, as a world religion, it has a future.
Aaqil Ahmed, a Channel 4 commissioning editor, said: "This series is an ambitious and comprehensive exploration of key chapters in the history of Christianity. Authored by a range of distinctive voices, the series will examine the impact and legacy of Christianity on Britain and the world."
Channel 4 also announced a series of campaigning programmes fronted by Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Heston Blumenthal. Oliver will be trying to help the plight of the British pig, with Jamie Saves Our Bacon.
The chef will examine why Britain's pig farmers are going out of business and show how pork ends up on our plate.
Fearnley-Whittingstall will be trying to use his new position as a Tesco shareholder to his advantage by attempting to get the supermarket to embrace his free range chicken revolution.
Big Chef, Little Chef will see Blumenthal attempt to turn around the ailing roadside café chain and in Gordon's Great British Nightmare, Ramsay will be campaigning for Britons to frequent their local restaurants.
Reader views (11)
Dear god... are the powers that be expecting eight hours of this stuff to revive C4's fortunes?
- Harry, Horsham, UK
Why don't they try "Celebrity Big Christians" in which Z list celebrities try admitting to being religious nutters in a last ditch attempt to revive their careers.
- Mark, England
I will definitely be watching Professor Colin Blakemore, he at least as something worthwhile to say. The rest is pure drivel.
- Stephend, London, England
If there was a god he/she would not have inflicted Cherie Blair on us.
- Andy, London
As I understand it each programme will be presented by the following:
Howard Jacobson = Jewish
Rageh Omaar = Muslim
Anne Widdicombe = Roman Catholic
Michael Portillo = Roman Catholic
Cherie Blair = Roman Catholic
Professor Colin Blakemore = Militant atheist
Dr David Beckford = Black Christian theologian/documentary maker communion unknown
Kwame Kwei-Armah = Black Christian actor/play write/ director communion unknown.
Why no-one from the Church of England Channel 4 if this is supposed to be representative of the UK today?
I am sure each will make an interesting programme but when do members of the C of E get the opportunity to make programmes critically questioning Channel 4's belief system and liberal credentials?
- D, London
We are fed up with hearing the opinions of Mrs Bliar. Can't they get Jade Goody to give us the benefit of her views on world religion instead?
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
Michael Portillo, Ann Widdecombe and Cherie Blair eh?!That'll bring in audiences by the truck load!
- John, London
Christianity as 'Religion' will die, true Christianity, which is knowing and accepting what Jesus Christ did will never die, and will remain relevant in all times.
- Chisomo, London
"..the cash-strapped broadcaster.." & "..Celebrity Big Brother.."
I think the clue is in the article. We the tax payer may well be bailing this minority channel out soon.
Wonder if they will be touching Islam, or will they run scared?
- Frank, Home Counties, England
Is channel 4 planing a series that shows alternative views on Islam, or are they afraid that would that cause global riots, death threats and other forms of ridicolous behaviour from this so called "peacefull religion". If this show is an attack on Christianity channel 4 better prepare themselves for the backlash as people are getting fed up of being bashed by the ultra leftist pc regime.
- Brandon Thomas, London SW7
I'm just glad Celeb Big Bro is back. Lets hope they stick to the original format.
- Triffidqueen, Desk in London
