History Channel, JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty ImagesGlenn Beck caused a storm of controversy this weekend when he tweeted about the resemblance between President Barack Obama and the actor playing the role of Satan in History Channel's miniseries The Bible.
"Anyone else think the Devil in #TheBible Sunday on History Channel looks exactly like That Guy?" asked via Twitter. "That Guy" is of course Beck's preferred name for Barack Obama. However, History Channel and The Bible's executive producers are firing back, insisting that the comparison is ridiculous, calling it a "false connection."
"History Channel has the highest respect for President Obama," the network says in a statement. "The series was produced with an international and diverse cast of respected actors. It's unfortunate that anyone made this false connection. HISTORY's ‘The Bible' is meant to enlighten people on its rich stories and deep history."
"This is utter nonsense. The actor who played Satan, Mehdi Ouzaani, is a highly acclaimed Moroccan actor," executive producer Mark Burnett says. "He has previously played parts in several Biblical epics—including Satanic characters long before Barack Obama was elected as our President."
Adds fellow executive producer Roma Downey: "Both Mark and I have nothing but respect and love [for] our President, who is a fellow Christian. False statements such as these are just designed as a foolish distraction to try and discredit the beauty of the story of The Bible."
13.1 million viewers tuned in for the premiere, and The Bible has been enjoying steady ratings ever since.