'The Chosen' Phenomenon
The series creator, Dallas Jenkins, went this route because he knew that Hollywood, in its current state, would never finance or support it… “a series about the life of Jesus? Who would want to watch that?”
Nearly half a billion people, that's how many people would want to watch a story on the life of Jesus. I just checked my Chosen app and the running total to date is over 466 million views. And if you haven’t guessed by now I am a huge fan of the series. I discovered it last year when it was less than the phenomenon it is now.
I was extremely impressed with the high production values, the depth and skill in the writing, and the first-rate actor performances. The portrayal of Jesus by actor Jonathan Roumie is hands down the best I have ever seen; his humanity, humor, and humility bring Jesus alive in a way that no film or television production ever has. This actor was destined for the role.
The Chosen series has achieved all this on a less than modest budget, which has also been the story of my career in creating films on small budgets and making them look high quality and much bigger budgeted. I’ve been in the trenches. I know the amount of work, planning, and long hours that have to go in when you have limited resources to produce something of quality. So I may have a deeper appreciation for what the series has been able to achieve.
The proof is in the pudding. The third season of the series launched on November 18, 2022 with the first two episodes in theaters across the country. It quickly soared to number three at the box office in its opening weekend. Achieving this box office position is beyond amazing because the production was only in 2027 theaters and the film at the number one position during that time, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was in over 4300 theaters.
What I enjoy watching as well are the fan video testimonials that viewers have posted on the Chosen app and other places, where they detail how the series has changed their lives, renewed their faith, and compelled them to dive deeper into the Bible’s teachings. I believe this was what the goal of the series was all along and I fully support it.
This divisive world has truly “gone off the rails” in my opinion where people with differing beliefs can’t even speak to one another. It is a recipe for a continuing disaster. With more and more people discovering truths in the teachings of Jesus, perhaps one day humans will heal their differences and come together as one. With faith-based messages contained in a series such as The Chosen, it's a very good start.
A Conversation with Chloe Gavin Beatty Youngest Daughter of WWII General James Gavin
Second Half of December Guests on Point of the Spear
We finished the month and the year out strong with a great lineup of shows. Christmas week we had two episodes. First was my conversation with John Koopman III a historian and author who portrays General George Washington in major motion pictures and television. Then on Christmas Eve, we had a very special episode, Christmas 1942. The program integrated radio broadcasts and music of the time to recreate that time and era. Plus I interviewed Peter Harmsen who wrote, Darkest Christmas: December 1942 and a World at War. It's was one Christmas special you didn't want to miss. Finally, during the last week of the year Chloe Gavin Beatty, the youngest daughter of WWII general James Gavin came on the show to discuss her father's war-time diary that has just been released as a book. I could not think of a better way to close our third season. January starts the 4th Season of Point of the Spear and we've got a stellar line in store. Have a wonderful and a Very Happy New Year!
Philadelphia's Only Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War
Join me for a conversation with author Kevin Ferris. Kevin spent more than thirty years at the Philadelphia Inquirer, the last ten as a columnist. His freelance work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, The Weekly Standard, and the Christian Science Monitor. His book with coauthor, John Siegfried is called No Greater Love: The Story of Michael Crescenz, Philadelphia’s Only Medal of Honor Recipient of the Vietnam War. LISTEN NOW
December Guests Coming to Point of the Spear Plus Christmas 1942
We’ve got some outstanding guests coming in December, plus Christmas Week Specials on Point of the Spear. Click that follow button so you don’t miss a moment. Kicking off the month we follow an 82nd Airborne Division Company through their deployment and return to civilian life with author Ben Kesling. Then, the story of Philadelphia’s only Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient, Michael Crescenz, with author Kevin Ferris. And later, mark your calendar for our Christmas Week Specials. First, we’ll speak with a George Washington historian. Then on Christmas Eve it’s Christmas 1942 all over again and we'll feature author Peter Harmsen. Finally, we close out the month and the year strong with Lt. General James Gavin’s youngest daughter, Chloe Gavin Beatty. who’ll discuss, Gavin at War: The WWII Diary of Lt. General James M. Gavin. All this and more in a jam-packed December to remember. Click that follow button and join us on Point of the Spear. LEARN MORE.
The Birth of the British Special Air Service in WWII
Join Robert Child for a video excerpt of a podcast conversation with author Damien Lewis. Damien is a former war correspondent and one of the Britain’s "twenty favorite authors" as declared by World Book Day. He’s an acclaimed and award-winning author topping bestseller lists worldwide. Many of his books are currently being produced for film and television. His latest book is called, SAS Brothers in Arms: Churchill's Desperadoes: Blood-and-Guts Defiance at Britain's Darkest Hour. WATCH BELOW.
Second Half of November Guests on Point of the Spear
Thanksgiving week on Wednesday, November 23rd Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of four books, including the New York Times bestseller Three Nights in August and Friday Night Lights, Buzz Bissinger stopped by the show. His latest book is called, The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II.
To close the month, November 30th we learned the story behind the creation of the legendary American fighter plane the P-51 Mustang with authors David and Margaret White and their new book, WINGS OF WAR: The World War II Fighter Plane that Saved the Allies and the Believers Who Made It Fly.
Benghazi 10 Years After the Attack - What We Know Now
Check out my conversation with author Ethan Chorin. Ethan is a former diplomat, senior political analyst, author, and environmental entrepreneur. From 2004 to 2006, he was one of a handful of US diplomats posted to Libya to help set up a US mission. He was in Benghazi on the night of the attack in 2012 and succeeded Christopher Stevens as ambassador to Libya. His book is called, Benghazi!: A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink. LISTEN NOW
New Exhibit at the National WWII Museum - Expressions of America
I wanted to bring attention to a fantastic new multimedia exhibit at the National WWII Museum, which opened on Veterans Day. I attended a special pre-opening launch on November 10th for "invited guests only." It was beyond spectacular. And I urge everyone to reserve their tickets early before they sell out. Check their website for showtimes.
Expressions of America is a first-of-its-kind nighttime sound and light experience celebrating the power of individual Americans to impact the world around them during a time of monumental conflict. Available exclusively at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans starting on Veterans Day 2022, Expressions of America will immerse audiences in written words, songs, and personal reflections of the everyday men and women who served our country in every way imaginable during World War II. Generously presented by the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, Expressions of America will uniquely combine the latest outdoor projection technology with wartime letters and oral histories from the Museum’s collection to allow audiences to experience the stories of the WWII generation like never before. Check out the Teaser/Trailer below.