The Rising Son
Encyclopedia
The Rising Son is a live action
television series on Cartoon Network's
late night programing block, Adult Swim
, that premiered on April 19, 2009, and ended on May 10, 2009, with a total of four episodes . The Rising Son is a sitcom/soap opera
parody about Jesus
, Joseph
, and Mary
.
) slot, and aside from being listed on the Adult Swim schedule The Rising Son was not advertised or even mentioned in the network's TV scheduling announcements. Episodes are available online through Adult Swim Video.
Most biblical references identifying characters as figures from the time of Christ are censored. For example, "Christ" is censored from "Jesus Christ", and Mary being identified as "the mother of the Messiah" is censored as well. Human failings (in characters normally regarded as saints) are emphasized while Pontius Pilate
is shown as an acquaintance and business associate of the main characters. Although Jesus (unlike his family) is not shown as consciously sinning, he is shown doing things which are out-of-character such as accepting Mary-Magdalene as his personal savior and doubting the existence or relevance of God.
Live action
In filmmaking, video production, and other media, the term live action refers to cinematography, videography not produced using animation...
television series on Cartoon Network's
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States....
late night programing block, Adult Swim
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
, that premiered on April 19, 2009, and ended on May 10, 2009, with a total of four episodes . The Rising Son is a sitcom/soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
parody about Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, Joseph
Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph is a figure in the Gospels, the husband of the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ ....
, and Mary
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
.
Production and censorship
Very little is known about the series or its production history. The program initially aired in a 5:00 a.m. (ETEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) slot, and aside from being listed on the Adult Swim schedule The Rising Son was not advertised or even mentioned in the network's TV scheduling announcements. Episodes are available online through Adult Swim Video.
Most biblical references identifying characters as figures from the time of Christ are censored. For example, "Christ" is censored from "Jesus Christ", and Mary being identified as "the mother of the Messiah" is censored as well. Human failings (in characters normally regarded as saints) are emphasized while Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilatus , known in the English-speaking world as Pontius Pilate , was the fifth Prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, from AD 26–36. He is best known as the judge at Jesus' trial and the man who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus...
is shown as an acquaintance and business associate of the main characters. Although Jesus (unlike his family) is not shown as consciously sinning, he is shown doing things which are out-of-character such as accepting Mary-Magdalene as his personal savior and doubting the existence or relevance of God.
Cast
| Name | Role(s) |
|---|---|
| Judd | Dan Mengini |
| Joseph | Andrew Benator Andrew Benator Andrew Benator is an actor best known for his work in the cult hit mock-umentary Filmic Achievement and in his string of national Citibank ads featuring him losing his bill, waiting on the phone while on hold with his bank, etc. He performed with the Rude Machanicals Theater Company... |
| Mary | Debra McDavid |
| Jesus | Sean Watkins |
| Pontius | Bill Tush |
| Judean | Tamara Morton |
Season 1: 2009
| # | Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|