I definitely agree that we all need more "feel-good programming" in light of everything that's been going on in our country and throughout the world. I'll be looking forward to seeing how pans out.

27 minutes ago, Khan said:

I definitely agree that we all need more "feel-good programming" in light of everything that's been going on in our country and throughout the world. I'll be looking forward to seeing how pans out.

Wait, no sarcasm?

I wonder if they are going to pair this with their Doc Martin remake.

My grandparents watched Highway to Heaven every week. It meant a lot to people...but I wonder how much of that was down to Michael Landon and Victor French.

Oof. Good luck!

What exactly is the difference between Highway to Heaven and Touched by an Angel, anyway?

18 hours ago, te. said:

Wait, no sarcasm?

LOL!!

I rediscovered the show recently on Pluto TV and - believe it or not - I actually enjoyed it. Was it cheesy? Yes. Does it jibe with traditional, Judeo-Christian beliefs? Not really. (For one thing, angels don't intervene to the degree that Jonathan Smith does. Otherwise, what's the point of having free will? Furthermore, human beings don't become angels. We have dominion over them. Otherwise, how are we supposed to judge them in Heaven?). But, you know, there's just so much darkness and despair in the world these days. It'd be nice to have a show or shows that reaffirm what you might call the triumph of the human spirit.

But, for God's sake, Jason Katims, no episodes where Jonathan turns into a werewolf.

14 hours ago, Franko said:

What exactly is the difference between Highway to Heaven and Touched by an Angel, anyway?

At first glance, there doesn't appear to be any differences. But, look closely enough....!

On the surface, "Touched by an Angel" is better written than "Highway to Heaven." Any time you come across an episode written by Ken LaZebnik, take my advice and sit down and watch. He has a way with monologues that reminds me of the best of Patrick Mulcahey's work.

As I've mentioned already, Jonathan Smith (in "Highway") intervenes in his assignments' lives to a degree that's unheard of (at least, according to the Scriptures). If someone's being a real PITA, for example, he'll cause them to trip and fall down or some such. Or, if the Stuck Up Rich Guy Who Hates Handicapped People of the Week just ain't gettin' it through his thick skull, Mark Gordon (Victor French) will tell Jonathan to "use the Stuff" so that he'll see the error of his ways.

Well, angels don't really HAVE "the Stuff." Angels are God's messengers. They come to individuals who are at a crossroads and deliver words of comfort and encouragement; telling them that, yes, God loves them and that whichever road they are afraid to take or door they are afraid to open, God will be with them every step of the way. (Think about what the angel told the Virgin Mary when she learned she was with child, or when Joseph realized it wasn't his). That's always the message that Monica, Tess, Andrew, Gloria and all the other angels in "Touched" deliver to THEIR assignments: that, as Christ once implored His disciples, the power of life and death is in their hands, so choose wisely.

Does "Touched" have its' cheesy moments, too? Absolutely. There's bound to be SOME cheese in any show that aims to entertain the entire family. But "Touched" earns those moments more than "Highway" does, if that makes any sense. And in the meantime, Martha Williamson and her team (including frequent director Tim Van Patten, whose skills always impress me) do a pretty masterful job of getting you emotionally involved in the characters' lives, often presenting dilemmas that aren't easily resolved at the end of the hour.