Talk show falls flat on its faith

Is the entertainment media anti-faith? Is there too little religion on television? These topics and many others are discussed in a scattershot fashion when the talk show “Faith Under Fire” (9 p.m. today, Pax) takes on “the culture wars.” Lee Strobel is host.

The title itself speaks volumes about the show’s tone. Who, exactly, says faith is under fire? With few exceptions, the guests on tonight’s “culture war” segment seem quite proud about the rising tide of religion in our society. But at the same time, most portray themselves as victims of an “elite” media. Faced with this contradiction, Strobel’s first two guests demonize the press and Hollywood. And nobody does that better than MSNBC correspondent Joe Scarborough, who argues that “60 Minutes” is “biased” because it does not broadcast graphic depictions of abortions. Radio host Hugh Hewitt parts company with Joe here. But he feels that religious blogs will quickly make a mainstream media irrelevant.

Despite its rather tendentious title, “Faith” does offer a television forum on a topic long overdue for serious discussion. Strobel should endeavor to allow his guests to speak at greater length and show more respect for his viewers’ attention spans.

Today’s highlights

  • Samuel L. Jackson hosts the “2005 Independent Spirit Awards” (4 p.m., IFC).
  • Red asphalt on “Law & Order” (7 p.m., NBC).
  • A gamer’s game ends on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (8 p.m., NBC).
  • Scheduled on “48 Hours Mystery” (9 p.m., CBS): women rescued from slavery.
  • A rape may have been a gang’s message on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m., NBC).

Sunday’s highlights

  • Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (6 p.m., CBS): Richard Nixon, Howard Hughes and Watergate; battlefield stress.
  • A dying don’s family disintegrates on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (7:04 p.m., NBC).
  • “Masterpiece Theatre” (8 p.m., PBS) offers a 2003 adaptation of “Goodbye, Mr. Chips.”
  • Joe Fontana (Dennis Farina) joins the squad on “Law & Order” (8:05 p.m., NBC).
  • A serial killer’s pattern seems familiar on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9:08 p.m., NBC).