Description
A 5 segment series shows what it might have been like if there had been TV newscasts during the time of Jesus’ ministry.
JNN (Jerusalem News Network) TV reporters report on the happenings in the life of Nazarene prophet Jesus ben Joseph, and about some of the parables he uses to explain the things of God.
Bible Reference:
For Segment I – Builders/Rich Man & Lazarus 1 Cor 3:11, Matt 7:21-27, Lk 16:19-31
For Segment II – Stilling Storm/Good Samaritan Jn 20:31, Mk 4:35-41, Lk 10:30-37
For Segment III – Lost Sheep/Prodigal Son Is 53:6, Lk 15:1-7, 15:11-24
For Segment IV – Great Supper/Raising Lazarus Jn 11:25, Lk 14:16-24, Jn 11:1-46
For Segment V – Second Coming Rev 22:7, Jn 14:1-6, Acts 1:1-11, 1 Thes 4:13-18, 1 Cor 15:51-58, Matt 24:21-31, Rev 19-21
Cast: 6 (male or female)
Wolf ben Benjamin, Situation Room
Elizabeth, news anchor
Andrew ben Eli, co-news anchor
Simon ben Thomas, onsite reporter
Lydia, weather reporter
OV, offstage voice
Set: JNN (Jerusalem News Network) TV studio with desk and backdrops to indicate a studio.
On one side of the set is a sign, “SITUATION DESK” where Wolf sits.
Have a lighted sign (ON AIR) or simply a sign that is put up and taken down at appropriate time.
The set can be as elaborate or plain as you desire, example, TV cameras and lights, directors, studio workers, etc.
Costumes: either traditional or contemporary
Props: papers for reporters to refer to
Time: 5 minutes each segment, total 25 minutes
Sample of script:
Segment I
Bible Reference: Corinthians 3:11, Matthew 7:21-27, Luke 16:19-31
JNN TV studio, Elizabeth and Andrew are seated at the main desk, Wolf at Situation Desk
after a few seconds the “ON AIR” sign is on, Elizabeth reacts to the camera in a phoney way
Elizabeth: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, welcome to JNN, the Jerusalem News Network. I am your anchor, Elizabeth, and here are some of the stories we are following for you tonight.
Fresh new troops have arrived from Rome as King Herod seeks to provide additional support for the Jewish people.
Now here’s your JNN co-anchor, Simon ben Eli. Simon, what do you see happening locally today?
Andrew: New troops for additional support for the Jewish people? . . .
(makes a face) . . Yeh, right! . . . Anyhow . . .
Elsewhere, Jewish farmers are complaining about an additional tax levied by Herod . . .
Elizabeth: In the interests of good and fair journalism, the tax, as stated by King Herod, is designed to provide replacement of the aging water system here in Jerusalem. . .
Later in the newscast we will hear from our weather gal, Lydia, and, Andrew, you will have the sports . .
Now stay with us for these words from our new sponsor, Temple Kosher Foods. We will be right back . . And when we do, we will be visiting with Wolf ben Thomas and Simon ben Eli at the JNN Situation Desk.
“ON AIR” sign off
OV: And roll Temple commercial. .
Elizabeth: Andrew it would be nice if you could follow the teleprompter, after all, that’s what the network spent the big bucks for.
Andrew: So I simply read the copy, where is the journalism in that?
Elizabeth: Yes you simply read the copy, that’s why they call you a copy reader.
Andrew: Really? . . The copy on my business card says “co-anchor”.
Elizabeth: Don’t let the name go to your head Andrew. . . Read your job description.
Wolf: Cool down guys!
Elizabeth: Wolf, keep out of this!
OV: One minute to live.
Andrew: And what is with the new sponsor . . “Temple Kosher Foods”? . . What’s with that?
Elizabeth: An excellent selection of groceries and household necessities.
Andrew: What happened to Zebedee’s Fish Market, they have been the sponsor of the newscast for years.
Elizabeth: Old Zebedee insisted on doing his own commercials, but rather than advertise his fish he was just sounding off on the activities of his two sons, James and John.
Andrew: James and John have made quite a name for themselves, leaders among the followers of the Messiah.
OV: 10 seconds . . .
Elizabeth, angry: You will not ever mention that word, “Messiah,” on this network! . . Herod has forbidden . .
Andrew: Oh so Herod writes the words we see on the teleprompter?
“ON AIR” sign on
OV: Action!
Elizabeth, now livid: Andrew, you shall tell the people precisely what you are told to tell the people! . . Now then . .
OV: Elizabeth, you are live!
Elizabeth: I am what? . . That is, . . of course we are live . . . Andrew and I were just doing some clowning around here . .
((big smile to Andrew)
And you shall tell our listeners all about the great things that are happening in and around Jerusalem!
Andrew: Great things indeed! . . . Four young Jewish boys crucified on Calvary for stealing food from the Roman garrison to feed their starving families. . . .
Simon comes on stage, stands next to Wolf
Elizabeth: Sorry to interrupt Andrew, we have to break to Wolf ben Benjamin at the JNN Situation Desk, . . Wolf?
at Situation Desk
Wolf: Thank you Elizabeth, Simon ben Thomas, our on-location reporter has just come into the studio . . . Simon, you have been following the Nazarene carpenter, Jesus ben Joseph as this self-proclaimed prophet makes his way through the country. What’s happening on the Nazarene Prophet Watch today?
Simon: Well, Wolf, it seems like never a dull moment when Jesus of Nazareth strolls into town! . . And never a lack of quotes as he and his ever-expanding band of supporters find new ways of getting under the skin of the temple leaders.
Elizabeth: What tricks did the creative carpenter have up his sleeve today?
Simon: No tricks Elizabeth . .
Elizabeth, fake amazement: None, not even a few dead people brought back to life?
Simon: Not even one. . .
Elizabeth: Surely a blind man seeing the world for the first time or a man born paralyzed from birth standing and doing the latest dance?
Simon: No, not even a leper being healed on the beat today Elizabeth.
Elizabeth: Well, sounds to me you have no report for today Simon . . too bad, we needed a few laughs.
The complete script, plus all 2,000 other DramaShare scripts, are available at no charge to DramaShare members, non-members may purchase the individual script.
