'Black Jesus,' Though Crude at Times, Is Honest and Accessible Portrayal of Christian Savior, According to Critics
But Does Aaron McGruder's Comedy Series, a Hit With Young Males, Have the Potential to Draw Viewers to Christ?
Donohue could care less about the "race" question, and said in response, "The idea that Jesus has to be white, or pale, or black, or Asian or whatever, that's irrelevant to the Catholic League."
What Donohue does find relevant is the potential of "Black Jesus" to introduce the Christian savior to an otherwise unreachable demographic during its 11 p.m. broadcast.
"There is a young, male segment. Let's face it, that's the target audience, we know this from past experience dealing with the Cartoon Network and Comedy Central and the like," he explained. "And you're not going to reach them with Jesus' message through the normal channels, through the normal citing of the Gospel. Now it's unfortunate, it's not a good sign in our culture that you have to debase Jesus' statement and his delivery in order to be sold to this segment of the population."
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Indeed, despite the controversy, or perhaps because of it, "Black Jesus" captured more than 2 million viewers with its Aug. 7 premiere episode. It was a hit particularly among the 18-49 year-old male audience.
"I can see why guys would like this show, it's definitely a dude-bro show," said Theodore-Vachon.
But what is McGruder's message to his "dude-bro" audience?
"I guess I'm thinking Aaron is trying to say...or making a more accessible Jesus because I guess we like to put him on a pedestal and Jesus was really a man of the people," she speculated.
Canaday added, "I don't think Aaron McGruder's goal is really to communicate necessarily the Gospel, although one of the things that I see in the show is that he frequently refers back to integrity, love, compassion for all mankind."
"Black Jesus" actually presents Christians with a unique opportunity, according to Canaday.
"This particular show gives Christians, I think an opportunity to speak to some of the endearing qualities about Jesus, meaning some of his non-judgment and willingness to meet people where they are," he explained.
Donohue retruned to what he considers the bottom line: "Jesus' message is getting delivered."
"You have to be able to look past some things," he added. "I'm not saying I like it, but I'm saying to Christians, 'Take a deeper look at this. Take a look at the whole picture. Take a look at the intended audience. And if young men can get the message of Jesus…maybe they can get it that way now. Maybe when 10 years come by and they get a little older and they start having children, maybe that message will stick with them more than the actual presentation."
For sensitive viewers still curious about "Black Jesus" and who want to watch the series with a discerning eye — "I don't know that people may be comfortable to do that," said Theodore-Vachon. She suggested that it was OK for people to pass on the series based solely on the trailer and critical reviews.
"But if you do want to give it a try, just be warned that this is not the sanitized version of Jesus," she cautioned.
"Take a deep breath," was Donohue's advice for skeptical but curious viewers. "You'll grit your teeth at times. But let's also remember, Jesus as the Son of God is being sold to the audience and I think that's a very important message. For people to leave that out and just focus on the curse words, I think is missing the big picture."
Harris, the 20-something "dude" from Williamsburg whose name is in the Bible, perhaps put it best.
"I think that they should just lighten up, like [there are] people getting killed and raped everyday out here. They're just making comedy, it's not really that serious. If you really want to go do something, go save the world. Go do something really positive in your community..." — just maybe not plant a garden.
In addition to starring Gerald "Slink" Johnson as Jesus, "Black Jesus" features Charlie Murphy ("The Chapelle Show"), Corey Holcomb ("The Cleveland Show"), John Witherspoon ("The Boondocks"), Valenzia Algarin ("True Blood"), and several others. Watch the extended trailer for "Black Jesus" on Adult Swim's website: http://video.adultswim.com/black-jesus/expanded-trailer.html.
