Sitcoms Online Photo Galleries - God, The Devil And Bob

God, The Devil, And Bob aired from March 9th until the 28th, 2000 on NBC.

A 32 year old auto worker at Detroit's Associated Motors was picked by the devil to settle a bet with God in this offbeat, somewhat controversial animated sitcom. The bet was that if Bob ( voice of French Stewart), succumbed to evil, via the devil's , blandishments, God would give up on humankind and destroy the world. Bob was no perfect speciman. He drank, partied and visited strip clubs with his buddies from the auto plant, including Big Mike ( Chi McBride).At home he delt only moderately well with sensible wife Donna( Laurie Metcalf), whiny seventh-grader Megan ( Nancy Cartwright), and cute but selfish little Andy ( Kath Soucie), who mostly ignored him. The Devil ( Alan Cummings), appeared in a black cape, with little horns and a British accent, scratching cars and popping little kids' balloons for fun. He also showed up in other guises, often with his faithful henchman Smeck ( Jeff Doucette), a bumbling toadlike creature to lead Bob astray.God ( James Garner), visited in the guise of a mellow white-haired hippie ( he looked a lot like Jerry Garcia), talking calmly in epigrams and seen only by Bob and little Andy. Bob wavered, but being a basically decent guy did not give in. There were jokes about heaven and hell ( " Every night Guy Lombardo in Concert"), as well as some interesting theological asides. In one conversation God remarked, " The trick is to inspire wonder without being heavy-handed, so that the athiests won't feel left out." Asked why he alowed evil in the world, he replied , " that's the big one isn't it?" He then went on to give an answer that was drowned out by a passing train.

Some viewers thought the show was blasphemous, and more than a dozen NBC affiliates refused to carry it. They needn't have worried as it was gone in less than a month.

The Executive Producers were Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner.

An Article From CNN

NBC tangles with affiliates over 'God, the Devil and Bob'

From Lauren Hunter
CNN Entertainment News Correspondent

March 10, 2000
Web posted at: 4:53 p.m. EST (2153 GMT)

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- "Hi, I'm your maker, and this is the evil one." That's hardly your typical pickup line. But then again, "God, the Devil and Bob" is not your typical animated comedy.

In the show's series premiere Thursday night, everyday guy Bob met God (voiced by James Garner) in a bar. There, God (who resembles deceased Grateful Dead front man Jerry Garcia) suggested that Bob might be interested in redeeming mankind.

"You show me that the world's worth saving," God pitched in a Sodom-and-Gomorrah type bargain, "and I'll spare it." Bob took the challenge.

Alan Cummings voices the devil, and French Stewart of "3rd Rock From the Sun" voices Bob.

Some NBC affiliates not amused
Ratings for the premiere were strong, beating all the show's competitors in that time slot.

But not everyone thinks animating God is a good idea. At least nine NBC affiliates have refused to air the show, including KSL in Salt Lake City, the management of which calls the the program's humor "tasteless." Stations in Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana and Mississippi also have declined to broadcast the show.

Some of the stations, citing the show's drinking and sexual references, asked to air the program in late-night hours. NBC said the program must be aired in its regular time slot or not at all. While NBC has more than 220 affiliates nationally, it's rare for network affiliates to shy away from parent programming. Network officials say they're working to find other outlets in those markets.

Some religious groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the American Family Association, have also criticized "God, the Devil and Bob," saying it trivializes God.

"This kind of tasteless and trivial portrayal of God does a disservice to the millions of American television viewers who have deeply felt religious beliefs," Nihad Awad, executive director of the American-Islamic council, said Thursday.

The creator of the series, former seminary student Matthew Carlson, says the reaction by the stations and religious groups is unwarranted.

And NBC defends the show, saying it reflects no intention to offend anyone. The show, the network says, "deals with the moral dilemma of good vs. evil in each episode. As such, it follows in the long tradition of entertainment vehicles that comedically depict this universal struggle."

Even divine intervention may not get the show on the air in some markets. But most of the country can reckon with "God, the Devil and Bob" in its regular Tuesday night time slot, beginning March 14.

For an episode list go to http://epguides.com/GodtheDevilandBob/

For more on God, The Devil And Bob including a comprehensive episode guide go to http://www.carseywerner.net/gdb_eng.htm

For a page criticizing this show go to http://www.av1611.org/othpubls/devilbob.html

To see when this show JTS go to http://www.jumptheshark.com/topic/God-Devil-Bob/God-Devil-Bob-General-Comments/784