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Bob Larson: CBS commits to exorcism pilot

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, UK
Aug. 16, 2006
Kimberly Nordyke and Nellie Andreeva
today.reuters.com

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Wednesday August 16, 2006

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – CBS has given a pilot commitment to an exorcism-themed drama from “Joan of Arcadia” creator Barbara Hall and producer Joe Roth.

The project, from CBS Paramount Network Television and studio-based Joe Roth Television, is inspired by the real-life experiences of Bob Larson, an expert on cults, the occult and supernatural phenomena.

Through his ministry and what he calls Spiritual Freedom Conferences, Larson teaches “the principles of spiritual freedom” and the “many ways that demons attack human beings,” according to his Web site. Larson is the founder of an international fellowship of churches and has written 30 books, including such titles as “Larson’s Book of Spiritual Warfare,” an encyclopedia reference of demons, the devil and deliverance, and “Larson’s Book of Cults.”

Is Bob Larson a cult expert?

The META “description” tag at his website reads “Bob Larson is the foremost authority of occult, cults and the supernatural” (It used to read, “Bob Larson — The world’s foremost Christian authority on cults and the occults.”)

However, those familiar with the field of Christian countercult ministry – as well real cult experts – know that his claim is patently false.

Research resources on Bob Larson Ministries

Cult Experts and Counselors recommended by Apologetics Index

The cult counseling field has attracted a number of loose canons and charlatans. We therefore offer some guidelines for selecting a counselor/cult expert

CultFAQ.org

Hall, who is under an overall deal at CBS Paramount TV, is writing the script and is executive producing the project with Roth.

This is the first major commitment for Joe Roth TV, which launched in late 2004 with a three-year deal at CBS Par TV and an initial focus on comedy development.

Roth is not a stranger to the subject of exorcism, having executive produced the 1990 feature film “The Exorcist III.”

The Revolution Studios founder most recently executive produced the summer comedy “Little Man” and directed the drama “Freedomland.”

Former “Judging Amy” executive producer/showrunner Hall most recently created and executive produced the CBS drama pilot “Ultra” this past development season. The project, from CBS Par TV, centered on a city-girl superhero.

Larson hosted the syndicated radio program “Talk Back With Bob Larson,” which featured such topics as Satanism and exorcisms, and now hosts a radio and a TV show, both titled “Bob Larson Presents: Spiritual Freedom,” that air on selected stations and on the Internet.