Would you like to have God as a friend? If you are a "believer", of course you would. If you are an atheist, you would answer, "The question makes no sense."
"God Friended Me" starts with the assumption that a deity exists. Then the plot strings together a series of events in a nearly impossible chain of coincidences that the viewer can only understand by acknowledging the basic assumption of the show--- that a deity exists. This is a feel good formula for those who prefer appeals to the emotions (and not appeals to logic). As such, it will certainly have an audience.
We might ask why the protagonist is an "atheist". Actually, he isn't. As explained in the first episode, he is a believer who, in a time of disappointment, reacted emotionally and denied the belief system that seemed to fail him. But the concept of an "atheist" being humbled by the omnipotent hand of a deity will definitely appeal to certain viewers.
A voice over says, "In these crazy times we live in...", invoking the common perception that things are worse now than ever---a perception that people have always had. This provides a setting in which an answer, a purpose, can feel even more needed.
Needless to say, the plot is wrapped with a pretty bow of resolution when the first episode concludes. Do you think it's coincidence that the main character's name, Miles Finer, is an anagram of Life Risen? (Actually, it's not exactly.) But you can find magic or providence in anything if you want to find it hard enough.
This show offers no intellectual challenge, but then again sometimes we just want to be entertained. As a comedy, this show is tame. As a drama, it is predictable. There are better shows on television, but---for the reasons stated above---this show will probably have its niche.
"God Friended Me" starts with the assumption that a deity exists. Then the plot strings together a series of events in a nearly impossible chain of coincidences that the viewer can only understand by acknowledging the basic assumption of the show--- that a deity exists. This is a feel good formula for those who prefer appeals to the emotions (and not appeals to logic). As such, it will certainly have an audience.
We might ask why the protagonist is an "atheist". Actually, he isn't. As explained in the first episode, he is a believer who, in a time of disappointment, reacted emotionally and denied the belief system that seemed to fail him. But the concept of an "atheist" being humbled by the omnipotent hand of a deity will definitely appeal to certain viewers.
A voice over says, "In these crazy times we live in...", invoking the common perception that things are worse now than ever---a perception that people have always had. This provides a setting in which an answer, a purpose, can feel even more needed.
Needless to say, the plot is wrapped with a pretty bow of resolution when the first episode concludes. Do you think it's coincidence that the main character's name, Miles Finer, is an anagram of Life Risen? (Actually, it's not exactly.) But you can find magic or providence in anything if you want to find it hard enough.
This show offers no intellectual challenge, but then again sometimes we just want to be entertained. As a comedy, this show is tame. As a drama, it is predictable. There are better shows on television, but---for the reasons stated above---this show will probably have its niche.