Robert A. Schuller Returns to Television in a Different Format

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Robert A. Schuller returned to television this week in a vastly different format to what we’re accustomed to seeing.   Everyday Life on the American Life Network was, well, here’s the bullet points:

• 23 minute — online anyway, broadcast version may have had commercials — narrative story with RAS as the narrator, popping in and out to talk to the audience
• High quality film production; more like H2O than Nooma with credible acting and a realistic story line; and a mystery character a la books like The Noticer or Bo’s Café.
• Not preachy, which is what they were going for; your unchurched friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers would watch this; there’s no sermon at all, but sometimes a story can ‘preach it’ better than a sermon can.
• Nonetheless, some thought provoking concepts: “The thing about ‘destiny’ is, only the soul sees it coming, when it arrives it always seems like a surprise.”    Chew on that one.
• Not actually very Christocentric or even ‘religious’ at all; that may draw some criticism,  but you have to remember this is the first episode of a series; a relationship with the audience will be built over time and the storyline will continue.  There’s a bit of foreshadowing of that at the 14:50 mark.

Verdict:   Too soon to tell.  Generally an affable program that will take several episodes to fully define itself.

Posture:   Encouragement.   Looking forward to the next installment.   Is this weekly?  Monthly?  Not sure.

Anything on this blog concerning Robert Schuller has generated a lot of comments on a site that is usually fair on readership but low on comments.   However, most of these comments have been directed to RAS, which drove me nuts once or twice.   That’s not normally how blogging works.  However, I’ve figured out a channel whereby I will get those comments to Robert and Donna; and I know there is large outpouring of love that people want to post online.

So…are you ready to watch the first episode?  Here’s the link to American Life Television; Everyday Life is the first video that starts rolling as soon as you arrive.

The next broadcast airing is Friday, December 4th at 4:30 PM

Bonus: Here’s a 4-minute interview Robert’s daughter Angie did concerning the new series.   (Where you can also leave comments after watching the show.)