Bill Maher to play Satan in Hell House spoof

ASSOCIATED PRESS ^ | Aug. 17, 2004. 03:08 PM | ASSOCIATED PRESS

[wanderin]

DENVER — Hell House, the controversial morality play first staged at a suburban church for Halloween, is set to be spoofed in a new stage production in Los Angeles starting Aug. 28.

With Bill Maher playing Satan and Andy Richter as Jesus, the production will use the original play's script and special effects "to lampoon (Christian) fundamentalist beliefs about hell," producer Maggie Rowe said Monday.

"It will be a parody of itself. It will be very funny. We're having a hoot," said Rowe, who represents the Center for Inquiry-West, which says it promotes and defends reason and science.

The original Hell House, created by Rev. Keenan Roberts in 1995 at an Arvada church, depicts scenes in which teens fall into hell by choosing abortion, drugs or homosexual activity. The play generated much interest, which led Roberts to sell $200 packages including scripts and stage instructions to about 550 churches around the world.

Rowe bought a package after telling Roberts that she was working with a youth group. The name of the play's production company is the Youth Group.

Roberts, now the pastor of Destiny Church in Broomfield, said he was misled but still sees an opportunity in the production.

"People have been trying to damage this message since they crucified the founder of the movement," he said. "It's exciting. Hell House is going to another state of exposure."

Roberts said he plans to travel to Los Angeles for the play's opening night.

[wanderin]

How fitting. The role that will be the highlight of his career.

[annyokie]

Type casting, indeed.

[Paleo Conservative]

I can imagine the promos.

"Bill Maher is Satan!"

[No_Outcome_But_Victory]

Bill Maher can be a minor demon, but he dosn't have the intelligence to be the devil.

[Question_Assumptions]

Bill Maher was pretty funny in Cannibal Women in the Avacado Jungle of Death and went down hill from there. That movie pokes quite a bit of fun at feminists and liberal men in the form of yet another parody of Heart of Darkness -- this time with Dr. Kurtz being a militant man-eating feminist who goes native.

[Shryke]

In related news, the Devil himself has contacted his attorney to pursue defamation charges against the play. "Bill Maher? Bill Maher?!?!," Satan said, "I'd rather have Liberace play me then that fruitcake! What in the hell is going on up there??"

[jnarcus]

Hollyweirs always likes to make fun of people of faith. What they think is oh sooo funny and clever really turns out to be dumb beyoind beliefe and usually more than a little offensive

[Darkwolf377]

Wow, mocking Fundamentalist Christians, gee, how cutting edge. Yawn.

[atomicpossum]

When the intelligentsia meets to engage is smuggery, 'religion' ALWAYS equals 'christian.' Notice you won't see the athiestic left coming out against Bhuddism, Hinduism, even Judaism, or, heaven forbid, Islam?

The Left is captured in their rebellion against traditional American mores, and lashing out against any other religion simply doesn't hold the luster for them. It's really about getting back at the traditional father-figure, the suit-and-tie set, not against religion in truth, but against what they decry as 'Ward and June Cleaver' and traditional American values. They target Christianity because it is the basis of Western morals and codifies such values, but also because that's the belief system of the type of society they're really out to get. Otherwise, why are no other religions the subject of their 'satire?'

[beelzepug]

Where's Hillary? She could play the part and not need any acting ability whatsoever. So she's female (I think). The devil can assume any form he chooses.
Cue Buck Owens to sing "Act Naturally".

[dfwgator]

play?

[wanderin]

play?He is a naural for the role!

[wanderin]

natural

[No_Outcome_But_Victory]

Hillary could work in that role...mmm yes, i could see it.

[Dawgmeister]

He always wanted to wear his boss's tights.

[RichInOC]

I buy Bill Maher as Satan...but Andy Richter as Jesus?

[Repairman Jack]

You know, best thing to do is ignore this schmuck.

Last thing we need is a big protest that draws him more attention.

[IonInsights]

Bill Maher to play Satan in Hell House spoof

...as opposed to Satan's valet, which is the role he normally plays.

[annyokie]

I am convinced that Satan is an attorney. What the heaven?!

[dead]

Bad casting. I always imagined the devil would be somewhat witty and clever.