heart and soul: religion on tv

After a lively pub debate on the merits or otherwise of the BBC's Sunday morning religious show Heaven and Earth, I've been put firmly in my place with this hysterical youtube video of David Mitchell's take on the programme.

I have always been a fan of Heaven and Earth, in the same way that I find Songs of Praise, and The Antiques Roadshow to be perched hypnotically on the cosy/creepy fence.

To put it plainly, it's-so-bad-it's-good. But I'm willing to give it all up. I've got high hopes for its replacement, Heart and Soul.

The title doesn't sound promising, I know. But it is set to be a topical panel show in the mould of Question Time, with a focus on the week's ethical and religious debates. It will be produced by Mentorn, the makers of QT.

Question Time is the most watched political programme in the 18-30 demographic, and on a good week the debates can be lively, controversial and even headline generating. If only some of this spirit can be breathed into Heart and Soul, the programme might be able to genuinely engage with current ethical debates in a way that Heaven and Earth laughably fails to do.

The casting will be key. A 'we-are-the-world' panel of religion-lite contributors won't do. We'll want Peter Vardy to represent the sexy side of theism, Richard Dawkins to drive home his relentless rationalism, and christian right-winger Anne Atkins to bring some fire and brimstone to the mix. Add a braying studio audience, and that'll be religion worth watching.

kate s-b