TV Shows and the Power of God

Posted by Eddie James on April 7, 2008

Since I’m a child of divorce, I can tell you honestly that my main babysit- ter was the television. As a kid, when I came home after school, I didn’t go outside and play—I watched television. In fact, I knew what time it was by what shows were on! I was fascinated with the flip of a channel (back then we’d have to get up, walk to the TV set, and turn the knob to change the channel) and how I could be transported to a different world. I was in love with everything TV had to offer, from Hong Kong Phooey to Star Trek to Mork & Mindy. I loved to laugh, and I loved the way some shows moved me and made me think. (Okay, I was a weird child.) I remember after my parents’ divorce, my father took me on a ski trip— just the two of us. After a day of skiing, we settled down in our Motel 6 room, and Dad turned on the TV. It was late at night, and whatever show was on was making my dad laugh really hard. Sometimes he’d roll his eyes at the humor, but his laughter is what sticks in my mind, and I’ll never forget sitting on that motel-room floor laughing with my dad. For the most part, I was laughing because he was, but it made me feel so grown-up even though I had no idea what those short little bits of television comedy were called. Apparently they were called “skits,” and what we were watching was a show called Saturday Night Live. Thus, at the age of eight, I learned to love skits. Thus, I became a Skit Guy. (Can you tell I just wanted to use the word thus?) Another pivotal moment happened at age 10 while I was watching Hap- py Days. Mom was in class that night working on her degree, and my sister was doing her homework. Tuesday night, seven o’clock (see, I told you!)—me and the television. It was the episode where Richie crashes his motorcycle (season 5, episode 106: “Richie Almost Dies”). I don’t remember much about it except the end, but I do remember it was the first time since the divorce that I felt sad. Richie may die! I’ve grown up with Richie…he’s always been there! Could he really die? (I had no idea, of course, about contracts and sweeps weeks and ratings.) I clearly remember the scene in the hospital when Fonzie is alone with Richie, talking to God. When the Fonz makes his plea to God, asking him not to let Richie die, it was incredibly powerful for me. At the time it felt real, not cheesy or put on—just someone pouring his heart out to God. In some ways, that scene was my introduction to the Creator of the universe. I know Henry Winkler and Ron Howard weren’t aiming to make a “touched by an angel” moment, but for me that’s what happened. To this day, when the kids and my wife are asleep, I will curl up with my TiVo and watch shows. I’m still fascinated by TV. If a show moves me, I’m usually on the phone or e-mail talking about it with Tommy, and somewhere down the line—lo and behold—an idea for a skit emerges. It’s a little ironic that these two television shows are pivotal to what Tom and I try to convey onstage when we minister: Skits that make you laugh, make you cry, and hopefully point you to God. I hope with everything I am that these clips—these television shows—and what we say about them pro- voke “God moments” for you. Sincerely, Eddie James a.k.a., the “bald” Skit Guy (Now, I’ll pass the baton to my buddy Tommy as he gives you the nuts and bolts of this book…) Check out TV SHOWS THAT TEACH.

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