Buzzfeed reports that Twitter exploded during Sunday's viewing of The Bible Series.
@mgaudet111 Tweeted
Watching The Bible series on the History channel and noticed the guy playing the role of satan, looks strikingly similar to Obama...#KREEPY
This was just one of many tweets with similar questions including a comment from conservative television and talk radio host Glenn Beck. Beck said, "Anyone else think The Devil in #TheBible Sunday on The History Channel looks eactly like "That Guy." Beck generally doesn't mention the President's name but refers to "That Guy."
The actor portraying Satan is named Mehdi Quazzani. Without makeup he bears little resemblance to the President.
Given that Christians, particularly conservative Christians, believe the President to be anti-Christian, was the likeness intentional?
The Bible airs on the History Channel in two-hour segments on Sunday nights and continues with blockbuster ratings. The finale is scheduled for March 31, Easter Sunday.
Mediaite reports that "At this time, neither History Channel nor Mark Burnett, The Bible series’s creator, has issued any statement on the matter."
UPDATE: The Bible Series and The History Channel released these statements via Facebook:
From The Bible Series Executive Producers, Roma Downey & Mark Burnett on the actor playing Satan, Mehdi Ouzaani:
“This is utter nonsense. The actor who played Satan, Mehdi Ouzaani, is a highly acclaimed Moroccan actor. He has previously played parts in several Biblical epics– including Satanic characters long before Barack Obama was elected as our President.”
Executive Producer, Roma Downey added, "Both Mark and I have nothing but respect and love for our President, who is a fellow Christian. False statements such as these are just designed as a foolish distraction to try and discredit the beauty of the story of The Bible.”
The History Channel statement:
“HISTORY channel has the highest respect for President Obama. The series was produced with an international and diverse cast of respected actors. It's unfortunate that anyone made this false connection. HISTORY’s ‘The Bible’ is meant to enlighten people on its rich stories and deep history.”
Comments