New TV Comedy ‘Living Biblically’ Offers Direction

The new TV comedy series ‘Living Biblically’ is inspired by the book, The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs. He refers to his book as The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. He says, “The Year of Living Biblically is about my quest to live the ultimate biblical life. To follow every single rule in the Bible as literally as possible…Why? Well, I grew up in a very secular home (I’m officially Jewish but I’m Jewish in the same way the Olive Garden is an Italian restaurant).

Jay R Ferguson as Chip of the CBS comedy LIVING BIBLICALLY, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Smallz + Raskind/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. ©2017 WBEI. All rights reserved.

I’d always assumed religion would just wither away and we’d live in a neo-Enlightenment world. I was, of course, spectacularly wrong. So was I missing something essential to being a human? Or was half the world deluded? I decided to dive in headfirst. To try to experience the Bible myself and find out what’s good in it, and what’s maybe not so relevant to the 21st century. The resulting year was fascinating, entertaining and informative… It was filled with surprising insights almost every day…A spiritual journey. As an agnostic, I’d never seriously explored such things as sacredness and revelation…”

LIVING BIBLICALLY stars Jay R. Ferguson as Chip Curry, a modern-day man at a crossroads in his life who decides to live strictly in accordance with the Bible. As he begins his sincere spiritual journey toward a more moral life with the help of his wife and friends, Chip wonders if he’ll be able to take a page — or every page — out of the Good Book, and if the effect will be of Biblical proportions. Lindsey Kraft, Ian Gomez, David Krumholtz, Tony Rock and Camryn Manheim also star. LIVING BIBLICALLY premieres Monday, Feb 26 (9:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Jay R. Ferguson as Chip Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2017 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Living Biblically is on Monday nights on the CBS Television Network at 9:30-10:00PM, ET/PT. It is a comedy filmed in HD, which stars the following Jay R. Ferguson (Mad Men) as Chip, Lindsey Kraft (NCIS) as Lesley, Ian Gomez (Supergirl) as Father Gene, David Krumholtz (Numbers) as Rabbi Gil, Tony Rock (Mann and Wife) as Vince, and Camryn Manheim (Person of Interest) as Ms. Meadows. Produced by Alcide Bava Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, Executive producers are Patrick Walsh (2 Broke Girls), who creates the series, and Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory), Andrew Haas (Green Lantern), and Spencer Medoff (Gangland Undercover).

David Krumholtz as Rabbi Gil of the CBS comedy LIVING BIBLICALLY, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Smallz + Raskind/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. ©2017 WBEI. All rights reserved.

Sonoma Christian Home had the pleasure of interviewing executive producer and creator, Patrick Walsh about his CBS series, Living Biblically based on A.J. Jacobs’ book. SCH Editor at Large Dr. Diane Howard reports.

SCH: Why is this series relevant for today?

PW: This is a time when our country is divided with religion as a factor in the divide. The series shows the need for and importance of respectful conversations about religious issues. It shows the value of being quick to listen and slow to anger.

SCH: What does this mirror about current times?

PW:  It mirrors that many are feeling lost and looking for help. It mirrors that faith and the Bible can bring us back to a better time. It shows how faith and the Bible can provide answers and help for our needs. It shows show Chip finds that faith and the Bible work for him.

SCH: What are some universal insights or themes in the series?

PW: The series shows that we need to be kind and to work at being better. It cautions against being caught up in minutia that divides us.

SCH: What does this series say about boundaries or barriers that divide us?

Lindsey Kraft co-stars in the new series ‘Living Biblically’ scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Smallz + Raskind/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. ©2017 WBEI. All rights reserved.

PW:  It shows the need for open, respectful exchanges. For example, the priest and the rabbi are friends. The series shows the need to be a respectful, kind, good person, who is not bogged down by dividing details.  It shows the need to listen, seek to understand, and to talk about hard topics that can divide us.

SCH: Why does the idea of transformation appeal?

PW: Many are unhappy, lost, and depressed. We need answers and guidelines for positive change.

SCH: Will the audience see character development in Chip’s wife and co-workers?

PW:  Many in the series develop and experience positive change.  They are favorably impressed by the positive changes in Chip.

SCH: How does this series provide hope?

PW: At first Chip is rudderless.  He drinks too much. However, he finds answers, hope, and happiness. He becomes calm and secure.

Tony Rock co-stars in ‘Living Biblically’ scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Smallz + Raskind/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. ©2017 WBEI. All rights reserved.

In the CBS comedy series, Living Biblically, Chip Curry is a film critic for a New York newspaper who comes to a crossroads in his life and decides to live strictly in accordance with the Bible. Following the loss of his best friend and when he learns that he is soon to be a father, Chip wants to be a better man.

He decides to put his slightly obsessive temperament to use and start living his life 100% by the Bible to find new direction. His smart, pregnant wife, Lesley, is both skeptical and entertained by her husband’s new passion, but she supports him completely.

Knowing he’ll need some practical advice, Chip forms a “God Squad” with Father Gene, a Catholic Priest who helps Chip apply the guidelines of the Bible to the modern world.  Father Gene’s best friend, easygoing Rabbi Gil Abelman, respects Chip’s chutzpah and is glad to serve as a sounding board when the three of them meet.

Actor Ian Gomez co-stars in ‘Living Biblically’ scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network.

At Chip’s newspaper, he finds support from his no-nonsense boss, Ms. Meadows, who knows Chip’s self-penned story will sell newspapers.  His co-worker and friend, Vince, is quick with a reality check and likes to wind Chip up for his own amusement.  Chip has co-workers and family members with rough edges, who challenge Chip’s desire to behave and live better.

As Chip begins his sincere spiritual journey toward a more moral life with the help of his wife and friends, he wonders if he can apply the Good Book and if the effects will be of Biblical proportions.

Living Biblically begs many good, relevant, and timely questions. It gives hope for a personal life and relationships well-lived.

To learn more about this author, visit Dr. Diane Howard