5 Reactions to NBC's 'Jesus Christ Superstar' Easter Sunday Broadcast

By Brandon Showalter, Opinion writer and social commentator
Monday, April 02, 2018

Many Were Moved by the Final Scene

The final scene on the NBC broadcast got the attention of many people, earning praise for its visual effects.

Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson of FOX News Channel’s The Real Story easily dismisses the hits she's taken from film critiques for her acting debut in "Persecuted," [FILE]. | (Photo: Persecuted)

Actor John Legend, who portrayed Jesus, wears a crown of thorns, is spattered with blood, and is hoisted up on a crucifix. Behind him is an even larger cross bathed in blue lighting, proving an effective backdrop as the crowd of actors stand below watching, transfixed.

"Unbelievable production of @JCSTheMusical - the last scene of @johnlegend hanging on the cross inside a cross — breathtaking. #HeIsRisenIndeed #happyeaster," tweeted Gretchen Carlson, formerly of Fox News and author of the book Be Fierce.

Author Brian Zahnd, who pastors Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri, and is a longtime fan of the musical, agreed: "The cross scene was powerful. Which says something about the enduring message of the cross. Amen."

Elite Daily chronicled a list Sunday of the many people around the Twittersphere who also found the cross scene moving.