THE BIBLE PRODUCER DISSES TV CRITICS

It may have been reviled by many TV critics, censured by some religious scholars, and scorned by several broadcast executives, but there’s no arguing the fact that Mark Burnett’s The Bible miniseries has been a triumph for History channel after averaging more than 13 million viewers for its premiere and 10.8 million for its second episode. In an interview set to be broadcast on CBS Sunday Morning on March 17, Burnett suggests that the ratings figures are really all that matters. “If the TV critics were so good, they’d be making TV themselves, wouldn’t they?” Burnett, whose shows have rarely been embraced by the critics, comments. “So, I mean, listen, the numbers speak. I don’t even pay attention to anything like that.” (Reporting on Burnett’s remarks, Washington Post TV critic Lisa De Moraes commented: “This from the guy who, back in August put out a lavish spread for a boatload of media who cover TV at his swank digs in Malibu to promote the first fall launch of The Voice.”)