Black Jesus

I didn't even know this show existed until a few weeks ago...which, as fate would have it, was during the early days following George Floyd's death at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department. It showed up on Hulu, and I gave it a shot based on nothing at all; no info, no recommendation, nothin'. Just a whim.

And now, three weeks later it's just about my favorite TV show. In the interest of full disclosure,it's worth pointing out that I'm a pasty-white, irritable mid-20th century caucasian. Not a MAGA angry white guy, but I love George Jones, Lawrence of Arabia, and looking down on young people (they are just awful). You know: your basic complacent oppressor. Not The Man, exactly, but close enough...

So, I checked out "Black Jesus" with no expectations, I'm just flippin' through the streaming channels looking for something to distract me from my feelings of diminished worth and deepening angst, not expecting anything. I was not prepared.

What I discovered was a show that combined what I think might be the most naturalistic portrayal of black vernacular culture that's ever been on television, along with biting wit, social criticism and liberal doses of the philosophy of Jesus, AKA the light of this world. And a lot of weed.

Slink Johnson is brilliant as Jesus. I realize now that I've seen him in minor roles in some not-very-good movies, but he is just fantastic in this. I'm pretty much an atheist, but he makes me want to believe in a a benevolent and loving savior for mankind who smokes a lot of weed.

This show is hilarious. Regardless of the uptight people who've been criticizing the bold and the funny since GTA was a top down game, this show is a hit. I honestly can't figure out what they're more offended by considering many shows have made fun of Jesus and in this case I believe the race-card may be justified. This show is hilarious and has a great cast. What if Jesus smoked hemp and was Black? We don't know and in this day and age it's not uncommon for satire to be made from this. Regardless of what he does, Black Jesus still teaches love. Adult swim rarely gets live-action shows that I like, this one I enjoy thoroughly. If you cant handle the fact the television "goes there" nowadays turn the set off.

'Black Jesus' is funny and has a good heart. Even though Christians might fear the worst from a TV show about a Jesus of color leading disciples in Compton, the show is in fact a tribute to the Gospels and in its own way spreads the Good News.

One of the keys to this show's success is its excellent cast, all of whom are funny and believable, with none more so than 'Black Jesus' himself. Miscasting the title role could easily have led this show to disaster, but the producers got it right. Maybe God Himself had a hand in picking Gerald Johnson because he brings a warmth and sincerity along with a streetwise credibility which makes 'Black Jesus' believable.

'Black Jesus' solves all his problems the way Real Jesus did, by praying, preaching, and practicing love and forgiveness, and in this way is a faithful tribute to the Gospels. What might offend some viewers is that 'Black Jesus' occasionally swears and smokes 'herb'.

I would counter this by saying two things. First, Jesus was a man of the people who spoke the language of the people, so swearing a bit doesn't seem unreasonable. Second, weed is a plant created by God that has a long, mostly harmless history, and since this is just a TV show, viewers should really just relax.

I am writing this review after the airing of episode five, so I can only hope – and pray – that 'Black Jesus' will continue to spread both laughter and the Good News for a long time to come.

Just been watching first episode, and this is good. The humor is a bit too cultural in my taste (I am white), but i think that's part of the good - getting challenge in my daily experience. If Jesus did return, i think he would get along with this Jesus, just fine... I really think that the personality of Jesus is misunderstood. He had bad day's and good day's, he got angry and made mistakes. Said stupid things, and did stupid things. I don't know about the miracles, but he's ability to forgive and love, was/is what differs him from all other people. Black Jesus catches that - spot on, with beautiful humor. By the way, Jesus WAS black(ish)... And anyhow - i forgive you.

Black Jesus is nothing to be upset about, and yet Hardcore Religious Freaks will.

The show is funny, and I got a good few laughs out of it. It's humor isn't for everyone, but you can tell unlike some Live Action Adult Swim Shows, this one has effort in the writing, the casting, and uses the Location to it's fullest. It was a good Pilot that made me want to see more.

It's a good way to show that it's OK to laugh at certain things, especially Religion. Black Jesus is Harmless, and I will continue to watch it. I think if Jesus Christ were here, he'd learn to take a good rib at himself, so other people should too. People will still complain and say negative things, but I will just take it as what it is, something that can be enjoyed, laughed at, and not taken in a harmful way. It's not a show meant to attack religions, it's not a show meant for Children clearly, so in the end, it's just harmless fun to me.

Smoke, Drink, Chill, and don't get so worked up over it. Black Jesus is a Comedy I can't wait to see more of.