Fox News' Unexpected Jesus Podcast: Celebrities in the Dark

In an unexpected turn of events, Fox News has announced the launch of a captivating new series, the Life of Jesus Podcast. This ambitious project promises to bring the vivid stories of the New Testament to life, featuring a galaxy of stars lending their voices to Biblical characters. However, there’s a significant catch: many of these celebrities, including Kristen Bell and Brian Cox, claim they were completely unaware that they were part of this intriguing endeavor.

A Surprise Revelation

The podcast, set to premiere on November 30, is a 52-episode epic featuring the talents of over 100 top-tier actors. The likes of Kristen Bell as Mary Magdalene, Brian Cox providing the commanding Voice of God, Sean Astin as Matthew, and Neal McDonough as Jesus headline the star-studded lineup. Yet, as stated in The Independent, the revelation that their voices would be utilized in this new project has come as a surprise to all involved, with many only learning of it directly from public announcements.

Unveiling the Voices

The voices of these celebrated actors were originally recorded in a 2010 audiobook project known as The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible. Spearheaded by Ignatius Press, this audiobook aimed to make the Bible’s narrative more engaging to listeners. Fast forward 15 years, and these recordings have been dusted off and repurposed into a modern podcast format without the original performers’ knowledge or direct consent.

Celebrity Outcry

Representatives for stars like Succession’s Brian Cox and the enchanting Kristen Bell have voiced their concerns, indicating their clients only recently discovered the reuse of their voices. Bell, caught unprepared, reportedly found out about the podcast’s existence following an invitation to join Fox & Friends to discuss the series. In response, a statement clarified that no permissions for this new rendition were sought, leading to a sense of blindsight among those involved.

Unexpected Narratives

Amidst the growing controversy, more actors, including John Rhys-Davies and Malcolm McDowell, have echoed similar sentiments. Their representatives assert they were just as surprised, having long since moved past their initial contributions to the audiobook. Still, the podcast’s creators aim to present the series as a fresh, newly produced piece, despite the vintage nature of the recordings.

Fox News’ Response

Addressing the swirling concerns, Fox News maintains that the podcast originated from licensed content, produced in full cooperation with the involved artists, according to The Independent. Yet, as more artists express dismay, the network’s stance remains under scrutiny.

The debut of the Life of Jesus Podcast is slated to make waves, not only for its innovative approach to storytelling but also due to the potent mix of controversy and curiosity it stirs. Whether this endeavor will find divine approval or further dispute remains to be seen as its story continues to unfold.