Top Story Tonight! show

Top Story Tonight!

Summary: We are at a critical moment in history, where the 24/7 news cycle no longer just covers the story. It influences the story. Sometimes it IS the story. Do you love history and find the media maddening? #MeToo! “Top Story Tonight!” revisits great moments in history as if the modern media existed at the time - cable news, Twitter, Instagram, talk radio, reality TV, even the dark web of conspiracy theories. Imagine retelling the story of Cleopatra as the original Kim Kardashian on Instagram. Think Henry VIII as the king who wants to Make England Great Again. #MEGA! You get the idea. This podcast brings history to life—warts and all—with a modern twist.

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Podcasts:

 Easter! Part 4 - It is Finished | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2241

Journalists from around the Roman world descend on Jerusalem to cover the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, but then some really weird things start happening. Plus, we take a closer look at Pontius Pilate, and the podcast ends with a question.

 Podcast extra: Meet Mary (and Mary Magdalene) - actor Tanis Parenteau | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 421

Many actors in this podcast are not Christians--it certainly was not required! But Tanis Parenteau has a very compelling story behind her reason for not believing.

 Easter! Part 3 - Smoke a lotta weed? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2130

Time is running out. Jesus is arrested and goes on trial, while the women in his life defend him on talk TV. Then one disciple storms out of the "The Joe Roganus Experience," and Herod Antipas calls in.

 Podcast extra: Lotsa Matzo | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 264

The actors in this amazing podcast always surprise me with their adlibs. Frankly, the adlibs are the best part. I asked Sheron Bellio to play "Abby," a daytime talk host similar to Oprah who interviews "The Women of Jesus" in Easter part 3 (which posts later this week). First, though, Abby surprises her studio audience with free matzo for Passover. While reading her lines, Sheron proceeds to go off script, and I can't stop laughing at the results. Here, I pull back the curtain on working as a comedic voiceover artist by revealing the raw audio of all of her takes.

 Easter! Part 2 - Temple Tantrum | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1998

Jesus is profiled on a 1st Century version of Sports Center, while Jairus' daughter is an annoying preteen on Instagram talking about her own death. Then Mary Magdalene debates Caiaphas on cable TV, while Jesus finally grants one interview - to Nicodemus.

 Meet "Jesus" - actor Jason Grasl | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 567

How does one find the right person to play Jesus? Finding actor Jason Grasl was an unusual journey, and his background surprised me. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2759625/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

 Easter! Part 1 - Who the hell is Jesus? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1617

A carpenter from some nowhere town up north has turned Jerusalem upside down, and no one can figure out what his deal is. A Roman soldier wants Jesus' followers to shut up, the Devil goes on pirate radio to badmouth him, while investigative reporters examine his teachings (how could anyone ever say ANYTHING good about a Samaritan?).

 Trailer for Easter! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 146

We are back with "BREAKING NEWS" about Jesus of Nazareth! It's Easter covered through social media and "fake news," as we meet the adult Jesus entering Jerusalem for Passover. Over four new episodes we follow developments online and on air, as conflicting reports suggest the Galilean carpenter is God, or just crazy. Mary Magdalene tries to livestream, the Devil takes to pirate radio, and Peter storms out of an ancient Joe Rogan podcast. Within a week, Jesus is dead. And then a weird thing happens...stay tuned.

 Podcast extra: Mary's consent | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 268

Prepare yourself for something shocking. Well, it shocked me. Some biblical interpreters wonder if Mary agreed to her pregnancy, or if it happened without her consent. Here's a brief discussion, along with my own conclusion. Let me know what you think at jane@janewells.com.

 Podcast extra: The Non-Trump King Herod backup plan | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 439

This is a second version of the King Herod scene with a different actor who intentionally did not do a Trump parody. I recorded it in case--God forbid--something happened to the President which would make a parody completely inappropriate. It's not nearly as funny, and I'm glad (for many reasons) that I didn't need to use it.

 Podcast extra: Why a business reporter made a Jesus podcast | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 434

I never intended to create a podcast about Jesus. I was more interested in the Old Testament. Less controversial. Plus, I was told by some top podcast executives, "Nobody wants religion." So how did this podcast happen? To quote Mary in episode 1, "It's a strange and wonderful story."

 Podcast extra: John Beard outtakes | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 210

A short, fun behind-the-scenes listen as veteran journalist John Beard (who plays Blandus) tries to get through his lines, but there are a lot of pages, and he only has water in his flask. John is one of my favorite people, a news man who takes the news seriously, but not himself.

 Top Story Tonight: Jesus! Christmas part 2 - A star is born, and a king declares "fake news." | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2257

As shepherds livestream angels appearing to announce good news of a King born in a stable, King Herod declares "fake news" while holding a disastrous press conference with the Magi. We also learn about mentions of Jesus outside the Bible, and the incredible life of Herod the Great.

 Top Story Tonight: Jesus! Christmas part 1 - The road to Bethlehem | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 2090

We have breaking news coverage as Judea is on the move in the 1st Century for the great Census! TMZ hounds a pregnant teenager from Nazareth who shows up in Bethlehem, and she ends up on daytime TV facing questions about her claims that she's the mother of the Son of God.

 Top Story Tonight: Jesus! The trailer | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 207

A pregnant teenager and her fiancé travel 100 miles for a government census, and the locals call them illegal aliens. Their king tweets “Fake News” at 3am when told of a child king. Shepherds take to Instagram as angels appear. We cover the story of Jesus as if modern media existed 2,000 years ago, and in between our “breaking news” coverage, 21st century experts weigh in to discuss facts and faith.

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