Looking for the perfect biblical character for a prestige TV show? Look no further than King David. The backstory of the guy is loaded with action, drama and political intrigue. He dealt with literally insane, murderous bosses and ungrateful kids. He made his share of mistakes, too, but David was still considered a man after God’s own heart.

Well, Amazon’s Prime Video is now offering its viewers—Christian and secular alike—an opportunity to dive into David’s story (with a bit of extra-biblical material added to the broth) with House of David.

Kennedy Unthank recently had a chance to interview series creator Jon Erwin and some of the show’s stars. We’ll listen to a few of those conversations and talk about the show itself.

Granted, some of you might be a little behind in your television watching. Why? Because you’re in the middle of Plugged In’s 2025 Screen Fast, of course! As a matter of fact, there’s just a couple of days left to go. I went on my own screen fast a few weeks ago and, if you’re like me, you’re ready to pick up your phones again. But you might not want to return to your same old habits. How do you engage with your screens in a more healthy, less obsessive way? We’ll talk about that very subject with Emily Tsiao and Jonathan McKee.

So take a listen, won’t you? And then, chime in with your own thoughts. Are you watching House of David? Are you watching anything at all? How did your own screen fast go? Let us know on Facebook and Instagram, or write us a missive at team@thepluggedinshow.com. You can leave a message at The Plugged In Show homepage, too.

And join us next week when Adam Holz returns to the host’s chair to talk about how to have a family movie night.

The post Episode 277: ‘House of David.’ Plus, the Screen Fast Is Almost Over! Now What? appeared first on Plugged In.

So if you’ve been poking around this blog the past few weeks, you already know that we’re just about to dive into Plugged In’s first-ever Screen Fast. It begins tomorrow and runs through March 14. And although some of us have already done our screen fasts at Plugged In (because, y’know, movies still need to get reviewed), it looks like plenty of you are taking the plunge with us.

Today, we’ll delve into not just the screen part of the screen fast, but the fast part. What is a fast? What does fasting achieve? And why in the world would we fast at all? Adam Holz and Bret Eckelberry will help us walk through those concepts and much, much more on today’s episode of The Plugged In Show.

And once we get you all fired up to set aside your screens for a week (well, as much as work and school will allow, anyway), sign up for Screen Fast 2025. If you do, you’ll get access to Plugged In’s very own Screen Fast survival guide, with activity suggestions for every day of the week!

And then we’ll turn our attention to Wicked. Not the record-setting Broadway show. Not the Oscar-winning, blockbuster movie. Rather (at the suggestion of a Plugged In reader) we’ll take a look at the book upon which both were based: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.

While the movie might be rated PG, Gregory Maguire’s novel is … less so, according to Bob Hoose, who reviewed the book. And that just might be a problem for teen fans of the movie who want to get a little more Elphaba into their lives. Turns out, this book brings a whole lot more wicked behavior to the tale.

And, as always,  tell us what you think. Are you going to participate in the fast? Have you stepped away from screens for a time before, and if so, what was it like? Let us know on Facebook and Instagram. Send us an email at team@thepluggedinshow.com. Leave us a voice message at The Plugged In Show homepage. Or just comment down below.

Don’t forget to sign up for our Screen Fast, too. And be sure to partake in our non-screen Plugged In Show next week, when we dive into Prime Video’s new biblically based series, House of David.

The post Episode 276: Screen Fast 2025. Plus, Wicked (the Book) appeared first on Plugged In.

The time has come.

For more than a month now, we’ve been talking about the best movies Plugged In has reviewed. Our staff has discussed, debated and occasionally fought over our choices these past few weeks. But now we must form our closing arguments and vote for our absolute favorites.

Today, on our podcast, the Plugged In staff—Kennedy Unthank, Emily Tsiao, Bob Hoose, Bret Eckelberry and I—will select the winners of our Plugged In Movie Awards.

That’s right: We choose our winners right in the studio. And as such, you can anticipate a spirited discussion. You can expect a surprise or two. (There was certainly one choice that surprised me!) And after we carve the winners’ names in stone, you might find yourself totally agreeing with us or left scratching your head.

We’ll be announcing your winners—the movies you praised on Facebook, Instagram and on this very blog—in tomorrow’s blog post, by the way. But don’t let that stop you from chiming in right now.

Once you listen in, tell us what you think. Do you agree with our choices? Wonder what we were thinking? Tell us on Instagram and Facebook. Leave us a happy or angry voice missive on The Plugged In Show homepage. Or write us an email at team@thepluggedinshow.com. We might share your thoughts on a future podcast.

And then, once this episode’s fun is done, be sure to join us next week when we talk about our upcoming Screen Fast along with Wicked. Not the movie, but the book. You won’t want to miss that.

The post Episode 275: The Plugged In Movie Awards! appeared first on Plugged In.

“Based on a true story.”

We see those words before many a movie. But boy, do directors find a lot of wiggle room in those five words. When moviemakers pin a scripted film on a real person, the results can range from being (mostly) historically accurate to (mostly) flat-out fiction. And very often, they land somewhere in between.

Filmmakers focus on attributes that reinforce what they’re trying to say about a certain historical player—while downplaying or omitting other aspects of that character. These decisions are not necessarily malicious: It’s just that they’re trying to create a cohesive story around an inherently complex and often contradictory person.

Today, we bring together our own panel of complex personalities to discuss one of moviedom’s most venerable genres: the biopic. We concentrate especially on a recent Christian film called Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin., which brings to the screen one of the 20^th century’s most compelling characters, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Adam Holz returns to the hosting chair to lead the conversation, where he’s joined by Bob Hoose, Emily Tsiao and Kennedy Unthank.

And then Adam and I will talk about another movie based on a true story, The Unbreakable Boy. This Christian-tinged film introduces us to a 13-year-old kid with Brittle Bone Disease who also lands on the autism spectrum. And he’s absolutely in love with life.

Speaking of which, do you know what we’d love? To hear from you! What is your favorite biopic? What’s the one that fell flat? Are you planning on seeing The Unbreakable Boy? Let us know by posting below. Or writing us an email at team@thepluggedinshow.com. Or by leaving a voice message on The Plugged In Show homepage. And, as always, you can chime in on Facebook and Instagram.

Oh, and by the way, you’ll definitely want to listen to us next week, when we discuss and decide on (drumroll, please) the winners of our Plugged In Movie Awards. Will all my favorite films win? Will all yours? We’ll find out together next week.

The post Episode 274: Biopics and ‘The Unbreakable Boy’ appeared first on Plugged In.

In our shrill, often uncivil age, Paddington just might be the hero we all need. The raincoat-wearing bear is as principled as they come. Sure, if you make him angry, he’ll fix you with a certain steely glare. But he’s also extraordinarily polite, even to folks who hardly deserve it.

But will Paddington’s unflagging civility travel with him all the way to Peru, when he goes to search for his dear Aunt Lucy? Emily Tsiao will take us down the cinematic rapids and tell us what we need to know about Paddington in Peru, the third film in Paddington’s live-action, cinematic franchise.

If Paddington is a model of civil discourse, social media can be exactly the opposite. We all know it, and most of us still spend a lot more time on social media than we’d like.

What are we to do about it? Bret Eckelberry and I sit down and talk with Emerson Collins, head of Focus on the Family’s Live It ministry, and unpack a new initiative in which we’re partnering. We call it Screen Fast 2025, and we’re asking you to set aside your screens as much as you can for one week, beginning March 7.

I’ll be doing it, too. And honestly, I’m pretty excited about the Screen Fast. Well, I’m not excited about giving up my college basketball or my video games, because that’s going to be hard. But I am excited to see how I might use all that extra time—time that I hope will help me draw closer to my friends, family and God. 

We’ll unpack that and plenty more on The Plugged In Show. Why don’t you join us? Once you’re through listening, talk with us! You can do so on Facebook, Instagram, via email at team@thepluggedinshow.com or via voice message at The Plugged In Show homepage.

And if you already know you’d like to join me in this exciting Screen Fast adventure, just head on over to Screen Fast 2025 and sign up. (And by signing up, you’ll get some cool, free stuff, too!)  I can’t promise it’ll be easy, but I do hope it’ll be worth it.

The post Episode 273: Paddington in Peru! Plus, It’s Time to Deal With Those Screens. (No, Really.) appeared first on Plugged In.

Sex is a gift. God designed husband and wife to draw closer together via physical intimacy. That form of contact allows greater emotional and even spiritual intimacy as well. Sex is intended to be special. In some ways, it’s designed to be sacred.

But the entertainment industry doesn’t always see it that way. On one hand, it can tell us that sex is meaningless—a pastime to enjoy as often as possible and to quickly forget.  On the other, it can tell us that sex is the most important thing: Our sexual identities define us. Our sexual preferences shape us. Sex is the answer to all of our problems, the cure to all our woes. And if you’re not having it, well, you’re not experiencing life itself.

How did we get to this point? Where sex is simultaneously secularism’s holy grail and as throwaway as a used candy wrapper? And what can we—especially we parents—do to combat those lies the culture is tossing our way? We dive into that tricky conversation today with Jonathan McKee, Adam Holz and Bob Hoose.

And once we’re done talking about the games that culture’s playing with our sexuality, we’ll turn our attention to another sort of game: the video game. The year will see plenty of big titles hit the digital shelves. Mr. Hoose and I will give you a preview of what you and your family might be playing this year—and what you might not want to touch.

Do you have any video games that you’re looking forward to playing? Are you tired of the games that Hollywood plays with sexual morals? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Talk to us on Facebook and Instagram. Leave us a message on our Plugged In Show homepage. Or send us an email at team@thepluggedinshow.com. Join in the fun.

And be sure to join us next week when we talk about Paddington in Peru.

The post Episode 272: Combating Hollywood’s Intimacy Influence. Plus, 2025’s Most Anticipated Games! appeared first on Plugged In.

The Oscar nominations came out last week, and we’re looking at a pretty mixed bag. Two  of the nominees are rated PG (Wicked: Part 1and Conclave). Three are PG-13, though two of them (I’m Still Here and Nickel Boys) would have little interest for your average 13-year-old. (Dune: Part Two is another story.) And five (A Complete Unknown, Emilia Perez, Anora, The Brutalist and The Substance) are rated R, because of course they are.

What are we to make of these and Oscar’s other nominees? Adam Holz returns to his once-familiar hosting chair to lead a rollicking conversation on the subject with Bret Eckelberry and me.

And then, Bret will tell us a little bit about Green and Gold, a new faith-based film in theaters this weekend. It stars Craig T. Nelson—star of the old TV series Coach and a recognizable figure from such movies as Poltergeist—and it has a pretty nice message behind it.

So settle in and listen and/or watch us for a spell (because, hey, we’re on YouTube these days, too!). And once you’re done, give us your own thoughts.

What do you think about this year’s crop of Oscar nominees? What do you think should’ve been nominated? You looking forward to Green & Gold?

Tell us on Instagram and Facebook. Shoot us an old-fashioned email at team@thepluggedinshow.com. Leave us an even older-fashioned voice message on The Plugged In Show homepage. Or just comment below. We’d love to hear from you.

The post Episode 271: The Oscar Nominations Are Out. Are They Any Good? Plus, ‘Green and Gold’ appeared first on Plugged In.

TikTok seems ever more appropriately named. The short-form video platform has seen its own fortunes swing like a clock pendulum over the last several weeks, days and even hours. On Jan. 19, TikTok was officially “banned.” The next day, the incoming U.S. President signed an executive order pausing the ban—but app stores remain unconvinced. You still can’t download TikTok on most of them.

Now, there’s a new push from several sectors to buy the popular social media platform from the Chinese company ByteDance—including a push from YouTube star MrBeast.

TikTok’s pendulum might swing a few more times before you read this blog. But while its fate may be uncertain, the popularity of short-form videos seems here to stay. In fact, it’s just growing more popular with each passing week. And even if TikTok goes away for good, plenty of other platforms are ready to leap into its place.

On this episode of The Plugged In Show, I sit down with Jonathan McKee and Bret Eckelberry to chat about those short-form videos: why they’re popular, why they can be addictive and how families can curb their power.

And then, I spend a little time with Elizabeth Tabish, who lots of you probably know from The Chosen, where she plays Mary Magdalene. She’s starring in a new movie out this weekend called Between Borders—the story of an Armenian family running from the former Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic and desperately are seeking a new, safe home. I had a fantastic time talking with Tabish about Between Borders, The Chosen and her career as both an actor and director. You won’t want to miss that.

And Plugged In would hate to miss what you have to say! Are you a fan of TikTok? Does its fate impact you? Are you planning to see Between Borders—and if you have seen it, what do you think? Tell us on Instagram and Facebook. Let us know via email at team@thepluggedinshow.com. Leave a voice message on The Plugged In Show homepage. Or just comment down below.

And let’s reconvene next week, shall we? We’ll be talking about Oscar nominations! That should be a fun conversation.

The post Episode 270: Let’s Talk About TikTok. Plus, ‘The Chosen’s’ Elizabeth Tabish appeared first on Plugged In.

Beast Games, a new game show featuring YouTube’s MrBeast, has been a hit for Amazon’s Prime Video—but a big miss with critics. Kennedy Unthank, our own YouTube expert and intrepid TV critic, reviewed the show for us, and he unpacks the highs, the lows and, of course, the controversy surrounding Beast Games.

But hey, game shows predate Beast Games by, oh, 80 years or so. Some of the very first television content consisted of game shows. Why have they been so popular over the years? Is that a good thing? And what game show would you love to be on? (You can hear my own answer during our icebreaker.)

And then, with the twice-delayed Oscar nominations just around the corner, we turn our attention to entertainment’s most august awards. But funny thing, fewer people seem to be watching the Oscars these days. Oh sure, it’s a big event—but it’s not as big as it used to be. And we pose two questions: Are awards important? Are awards shows fun?

We bat both of those subjects around—plus engage in plenty more antics—with Kennedy, Adam Holz and Jonathan McKee.

And we’d love to hear from you on all of those questions, as well as anything else you’d like to add. Will you be watching the Oscars this year? Will the nominations be important to you? What’s your favorite game show?

Answer these questions on Facebook and Instagram. Write to us at team@thepluggedinshow.com. Leave us a voice message on The Plugged In Show homepage, or just post your thoughts below on the blog.

And then, be sure to join us next week when we talk with Elizabeth Tabish—perhaps best known as Mary Magdalene on The Chosen—and discuss the future of TikTok.

The post Episode 269: ‘Beast Games’ and the Games People Play. Plus, Does Anyone Care About the Oscars Anymore? appeared first on Plugged In.

Well, howdy, pardner! Hitch up yer horse and sit a spell. Why? Well, I’ll tell you why. On this episode of the Plugged In Show, the Plugged In team’ll be flapping our gums about one of the most root-tootinest of cinematic genres. That’s right, we’re talking about the Western.

Sure, some of you may think that the Western rode into the sunset a couple generations ago. But Hollywood keeps making ‘em, and we keep watching ‘em. Why, tomorrow, Netflix’ll be rolling out its own television take on the Western in the form of American Primeval.

Bret Eckelberry has seen the show, and he’ll give us the lowdown. And then we, along with Jonathan McKee, will mosey into a broader discussion of the time-honored Western genre itself—which can often be a crucible in which our own values and morals can be weighed and challenged.

And then, after we talk about why we still watch a certain form of entertainment, we’ll ask ourselves, Why watch anything at all? Why not step away from the screens for a week or so? Come March, Plugged In will be challenging you—and me!—to participate in a screen fast. Yes, I know it sounds daunting, and trust me, we won’t force you to, y’know, quit work or school to participate. But I’m telling ya’, studies show that shrinking screen time can mean growing your joy.

And you can fill all your extra time by listening to The Plugged In Show.

Think you don’t need to cut down your screen time? Well, Live It—another Focus on the Family ministry for students with whom we’re partnering with on this particular effort—has a quiz that’ll tell you if you’re addicted to technology: Click here to take it. And if you’re already interested in signing up, you can just click here to learn more about our upcoming effort.

Speaking of which, we’d love it if you joined the conversation, too. Planning to participate in the Screen Fast? What’s your favorite Western? Talk to us on Instagram or Facebook. Leave us a voicemail on our Plugged In Show homepage. Or write us an email at team@thepluggedinshow.com. We’d love to hear from you.

And be sure to listen in next week, too, when we talk about Beast Games and the Oscars. Does any really care about them? You’ll definitely want to hang your hat and pour yourself a glass of sarsaparilla for that conversation.

The post Episode 268: Those Wild, Wild Westerns. Plus, Screen Fast 2025 appeared first on Plugged In.