- Mr. Deity
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Mr. Deity 
(Left to Right) Jesus, Lucy, the Deity, and LarryGenre Comedy Created by Brian Keith Dalton Directed by Brian Keith Dalton Starring Brian Keith Dalton
Jimbo Marshall
Sean Douglas
Amy RohrenOpening theme The Mr. Deity Theme Composer(s) Brian Keith Dalton Country of origin USA Language(s) English No. of seasons 4 Production Producer(s) Brian Keith Dalton
Jimbo Marshall
Sean DouglasRunning time 2 to 7 minutes Broadcast Original channel YouTube
CrackleOriginal run December 27, 2006 – present External links Website Mr. Deity is a series of satirical short films that parody aspects of religion, created by Brian Keith Dalton and distributed by Lazy Eye Pictures. It stars Brian Keith Dalton, Jimbo Marshall, Sean Douglas, and Amy Rohren.[1] It premiered on December 27, 2006. The show is currently hosted on YouTube, after a spell on Crackle.
→==History== In late 2006 director Brian Keith Dalton decided to make a series of short comedy films about God surveying the universe with his assistant. The first episode, called "Mr. Deity and the Evil," features only Dalton and his friend, cinematographer Jimbo Marshall, making decisions about what evils to allow. Jesus appears in the second episode, played by Sean Douglas. Amy Rohren rounded out the cast, portraying Lucifer (or Lucy) later in the first season.
After the last episode of the first season, Dalton signed a deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment to create a TV version of Mr. Deity for HBO. The deal also made the second season of the web series exclusive to Sony's comedy website, Crackle.com.[2] The Sony deal eventually fell through, prompting Dalton to bring the series back to YouTube. In May 2009 a trailer parodying Frost/Nixon using the cast of Mr. Deity was released, inaugurating the third season of the show.
Contents
Theological views
Mr. Deity often expresses annoyance with organized religion or human beings who claim to speak in his name, although he often treats this as an issue of improper attribution rather than a theological problem. In "Mr. Deity and the Book" and "Mr. Deity and the Book, Part Deux", he becomes very irate over being attributed as the author of the Bible, due to not being included in the editorial process.
Mormons are specifically named in "Mr. Deity and the Book" as being a source of irritation to Mr. Deity due to their scriptural canonization of the idea that humans with dark skin were cursed by God to lose their whiteness due to wicked behavior. Notably, Dalton is himself a former Mormon.[3]
Cast
Brian Dalton accepts award from the IIG August 21, 2010
- Mr. Deity, a.k.a. El, "El? Oh, him." (thus "Elohim"), Brian Keith Dalton: The creator. Has little interest in—or even full comprehension of—the lives of humans and admits creating humans "to pass the time, provide some entertainment"[4] He proclaims he's not a "details guy", adding that "Lucy handles that" and generally takes the credit for Larry's ideas as well as delegating most tasks to him. He is in an on-again–off-again relationship with Lucy. His misunderstandings of humans, general confusion, self-absorption and pop-culture references are generally the basis of episodes.
- Larry, Jimbo Marshall: Mr. Deity's assistant. He often helps the Deity stay on task and reviews important details in the plan, clarifying his work, and recording that which is noteworthy; for instance, in putting together the Top Ten list. Despite popular thinking, he is not a version of the Holy Spirit.
- Jesus, Sean Douglas: Does Mr. Deity a "really big favor" by going to Earth, leading a sinless life, then being sacrificed in the original version of the script. In return he is made "full partner, 1/3 vote". However his own views are often at odds with the Deity's plan, either out of general confusion, misunderstanding, or moral objection. He contributed to the Top Ten list, tries to make sense out of the Deity's edicts, and attempts to get out of being crucified. In the first season Mr. Deity often forgets his name and has called him Jesse. Jesus also occasionally calls Mr. Deity "Dad". Notably, neither the Deity nor Jesus have a full grasp of the Trinity.
- Lucifer or "Lucy", Amy Rohren: Was dumped by Mr. Deity prior to the show and was then appointed by him to run hell At one point she hired Nietzsche to kill the Deity in retaliation for dumping her. When introduced she requested to have her mascot changed to a "bunny" instead of a snake, and they compromised on a goat. She and Mr. Deity have an on–off relationship. He uses her to facilitate his plan and inflict suffering on others for his amusement.[5]
- Timmy Jarrett Lennon Kaufman: Technical adviser to Mr. Deity
Awards and recognition
On August 21, 2010 Dalton was honored with an award recognizing his contributions with Mr. Deity in the skeptical field, from The IIG during its 10th Anniversary Gala.[6]
Episodes
Season 1
Title Topic Original Airdate # Mr. Deity and the Evil After Mr. Deity creates the universe, Larry finds out what kinds of evil he'll allow. December 27, 2006 1 Mr. Deity and the Really Big Favor Mr. Deity seeks help to save mankind while Larry oversees construction efforts. December 29, 2006 2 Mr. Deity and the Light Mr. Deity and Larry have trouble with the lighting on their new world. January 3, 2007 3 Mr. Deity and the Messages Mr. Deity explains prayer to Jesus while Larry gathers info on the evening's activities. January 14, 2007 4 Mr. Deity and Lucifer Larry unforgivably forwards a call from Lucifer (or Lucy) to Mr. Deity's personal phone. All Hell breaks loose. January 29, 2007 5 Mr. Deity Super Bowl Extra: The Press Conf. Mr. Deity holds a press conference on the eve of the Super Bowl in order to clear things up. February 2, 2007 6 Mr. Deity and the Tour de Hell Lucy takes Mr. Deity on a tour of Hell. February 20, 2007 7 Mr. Deity and the Top Ten Jesus, Larry, and Mr. Deity struggle to come up with a Top Ten list. March 7, 2007 8 Mr. Deity and the Book Mr. Deity is outraged by a billboard which presumes his authorship of a certain book. March 26, 2007 9 Mr. Deity and the Seed Mr. Deity and Lucy work through a problem while Larry copes with the on-again/off-again nature of their relationship. April 15, 2007 10 Season 2
Title Topic Original Airdate # Mr. Deity and the Intel Mr. Deity, Lucy, and George W. Bush discuss the finer points on the War On Terror. October 17, 2007 11 Mr. Deity and the Meaning Game Mr. Deity and Larry discuss the meaning and purpose of life. November 3, 2007 12 Mr. Deity and the Voicemail A harmless prank phone call to Jesus gets Mr. Deity into a huge PR mess. November 17, 2007 13 Mr. Deity and the Notes Jesus has a few script notes for Mr. Deity. November 30, 2007 14 Mr. Deity and the Really Cheap Meal The group goes out for a heavenly night on the town. December 14, 2007 15 Mr. Deity and the Murder Mr. Deity and Lucy play a little game with Cain and Abel. January 9, 2008 16 Mr. Deity and the Limbo Mr. Deity gets rid of Limbo, the First Circle of Hell...not the game, and Lucy gets pissed. January 23, 2008 17 Mr. Deity and the Good Mr. Deity and Larry discuss the finer points of religious fundamentalism and idealism. February 8, 2008 18 Mr. Deity and the Help Meet Gender roles determined by Mr. Deity and Lucy. February 22, 2008 19 Mr Deity and the Dress Rehearsal Mr. Deity experiences difficulty relaying his vision. March 7, 2008 20 Season 3
Title Topic Original Airdate # Mr. Deity and the Virgin Larry is stunned by Mr. Deity's callous response to a grave crisis. June 8, 2009 21 Mr. Deity and the Book, Part Deux Mr. Deity is outraged with the ideologies associated with him by the Christians in the Bible. He and Larry conceive various ways to punish them. June 23, 2009 22 Mr. Deity and the Magic Lucy explains to Mr. Deity the difference between magic and magic tricks. They then argue over the virtue of knowledge. July 6, 2009 23 Mr. Deity and the Scripts Jesus wants Mr. Deity to pare down the four scripts into one coherent narrative that he can act. August 3, 2009 24 Mr. Deity and the Really Unique Gift Lucy finds out what Mr. Deity is giving his chosen people. August 10, 2009 25 Mr. Deity and the Planes Larry tries to get Mr. Deity to do something about the upcoming attack on New York City. September 3, 2009 26 Mr. Deity and the Skeptic Skeptic Michael Shermer pleads his case before Jesus and Mr. Deity. September 15, 2009 27 Mr. Deity and Da Man Mr. Deity and Larry prepare Adam for a wife. September 28, 2009 28 Mr. Deity and the Science Advisor Mr. Deity is told by his science advisor PZ Myers that his design for the humans leaves something to be desired. October 12, 2009 29 Mr. Deity and the Identity Crisis Mr. Deity and Jesus try to figure out their relationship. October 27, 2009 30 Mr. Deity and Death Mr. Deity has to deal with an angry Death, whose day goes from bad to worse. November 10, 2009 31 Mr. Deity and the Woman Mr. Deity and Larry wake the Created Eve for her first look at the Garden. November 23, 2009 32 Mr. Deity and the Wrong Number Attempting to show Larry his new "Speed Dial" app, Mr. Deity gets a wrong number. December 16, 2009 33 Mr. Deity and the Magic, Part Deux Mr. Deity thinks he's finally proved the existence of other magical beings. December 23, 2009 34 Mr. Deity and the Hard Wire The head of R&D explains the limitations of the human brain to Mr. Deity and Lucy. January 11, 2010 35 Mr. Deity and the Promised Land Mr. Deity is questioned by Larry about his plans for the Promised Land. January 24, 2010 36 Mr. Deity and the Really Hard Time Mr. Deity needs to find time to create time. February 8, 2010 37 Mr. Deity and the Baptist Mr Deity and Larry in conversation with the head of John the Baptist. February 22, 2010 38 Mr. Deity and the Host Jesus is eaten alive. March 9, 2010 39 Mr. Deity and the Equations Mr. Deity frantically throws together his own version of science in an attempt to save his job. March 23, 2010 40 Mr. Deity and the Quitter Jesus walks out on God's plan. April 12, 2010 41 Season 4 (prequel)
Title Topic Original Airdate # Mr. Deity and the Void It is explained how Mr. Deity, or El, came into existence. June 28, 2010 42 Mr. Deity and Larry After leaving the void, Mr. Deity is welcomed to the Omniverse by Larry. July 18, 2010 43 Mr. Deity and the Psyche Exam Mr. Deity submits to a psych exam. August 2, 2010 44 Mr. Deity and the Denial Mr. Deity's request to become a creator god is denied, so he plans to go rogue. August 23, 2010 45 Mr. Deity on the Lamb Mr. Deity needs a co-creator, and he thinks Jesus is the Son of Man for the job. September 15, 2010 46 Mr. Deity and the Casting Call Mr. Deity looks for someone to play the role of Savior in his new universe. November 1, 2010 47 Mr. Deity and the Goodie Two-Shoes Mr. Deity and Larry discuss the variable parameters of Free Will. November 21, 2010 48 Mr. Deity and the Barbecue Mr. Deity's plans for a region of reprimand are discovered by John. December 14, 2010 49 Mr. Deity and the Matter Timmy tries to avoid telling Mr. Deity that they don't have enough matter to create a universe organically. January 24, 2011 50 Mr. Deity and the Showroom Timmy introduces Mr. Deity to Dark Matter. February 15, 2011 51 Mr. Deity and the Signs Mr. Deity is concerned that Larry has rigged the Universe in order to give people signs of His existence. March 8, 2011 52 Mr. Deity and the After Party Mr. Deity and John go over the plans for the after party. March 28, 2011 53 Mr. Deity and the Ghost Thing Mr. Deity and Jesus brainstorm about their trio. April 18, 2011 54 Mr. Deity and the Magician Mr. Deity seeks the help of a magician (Jamy Ian Swiss) in order to launch his six-day creation model. May 9, 2011 55 Mr. Deity and the Days Mr. Deity chats with Larry, Timmy, and John about the six days of Creation. June 13, 2011 56 Mr. Deity and the Opposition Mr. Deity talks to Larry about Lucy becoming his "antagonist". July 12, 2011 57 Mr. Deity and the Believing Brain Mr. Deity seeks help from Michael Shermer to make his creatures more gullible. August 3, 2011 58 Mr. Deity and the Philosopher Mr. Deity is questioned by Christopher DiCarlo about what makes something "right". August 25, 2011 59 Mr. Deity and the Naughty Bits The Deity crew finally find an intelligent life form to populate their universe. October 17, 2011 60 Reviews
- Review of Mr. Deity by Michael Joshua Rowin, 2008-01-01, retrieved 2010-04-19.
References
- ^ "Amy Rohren". The Internet Movie Database. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0737594/. Retrieved 2010-07-06.
- ^ Bender, Bobby (2008-08-11). "‘Mr. Deity’ May Be Heading to TV, But Converts Still Flocking Online". Tubefilter News. http://news.tubefilter.tv/2008/08/11/mr-deity-may-be-heading-to-tv-but-converts-still-flocking-online/. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
- ^ Dehlin, John (2010, October 20). "205-206 Mr. Deity's Brian Dalton". Mormon Stories. http://mormonstories.org/?p=1286. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
- ^ "Mr. Deity and the Science Advisor". Season 3, Episode 7:Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Clm6nlWxzc. Retrieved 2010-07-06.
- ^ "Mr. Deity and the Murder". Season 2, Episode 6:Crackle. http://www.crackle.com/c/Mr._Deity/Mr._Deity_and_the_Murder/2058133/. Retrieved 2010-07-06.
- ^ "The IIG Awards". Independent Investigations Group. August 27, 2010. http://www.iigwest.com/iigawards/index.html.
External links
Categories:- Web series
- Satirical television programmes
- Web humor
- YouTube videos
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