Kristen Bell Expresses Shock Over Fox News’ Repurposing of 15-Year-Old Bible Audiobook as New Podcast
Actress Kristen Bell was caught off guard by Fox News’ declaration of The Life of Jesus Podcast, discovering the network had licensed and was rebranding a New Testament audiobook she recorded in 2010, without her knowledge or consent. Bell’s representatives were first alerted to the project only a day before the public announcement, receiving a request for her appearance on Fox & Friends.
The podcast,set to launch November 30th,repurposes audio from The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible,a 23-hour audiobook featuring a cast of well-known actors including Brian Cox,Sean Astin,Neal McDonough,Malcolm McDowell,John Rhys-Davies,and Julia Ormond. The situation highlights concerns about transparency and actor control over the use of their past work, especially as Fox News seeks to present the project as a newly produced series. Several actors, including Bell and Rhys-Davies, were unaware their previous recordings were being used in this manner.
According to Rolling Stone, a producer connected to the original audiobook partnered with Gulfstream Studios to license the content to Fox Faith. A note obtained by the publication reveals a request to podcast participants to avoid mentioning the audio’s original 2010 production date, aiming for a perception of recent creation. Fox News Media has been contacted for comment.
The controversy is further complicated by the political leanings of some involved. While several actors are known for their Christian faith, Brian Cox, who voices god in the podcast, has publicly criticized Fox News, calling it “the devil.” This adds another layer to the unexpected repurposing of the audiobook and the resulting concerns about it’s presentation.
