Welcome to Tobyvision's newest feature:  The What About Jesus? episode guide!

Yes, that's right -- we'll post summaries of each episode of this classic television series brought to you by the good folks at Tobyvision TV.  We've all got our favorite moments from this memorable show, and this feature is intended to bring back those memories -- not only for you, the fans, but also for the cast members and others involved in production.

Each guide installment will feature a plot summary, favorite lines, and reflections from Jesus Himself!   And now ... a brand new episode.  Enjoy!

EPISODE #107:  JESUS VS. THE WHAMMY

SEGMENT ONE
The show begins in Jesus' New York City apartment.  Jesus and his pal Doubting R. Thomas III are sitting in the kitchen clipping coupons when the phone rings.  Jesus answers with a casual "Yyyyyyello?"

His excitement level grows as the seconds pass, and after a few moments he exclaims "Thank you!  Thank you so much!" and hurriedly hangs up the phone.   Doubting wants to know what all the fuss is about, and Jesus is only too happy to share the good news.

"That was the producer of the wackiest, best game show in the world -- Press Your Luck! They said they reviewed my application ... and they've picked me to be a contestant on the show!!!"

Pandemonium ensues.

SEGMENT TWO
Since Jesus was allowed to invite a guest with him to Hollywood, he chooses his best buddy, Doubting R. Thomas III.  After a wacky exchange between Doubting and the flight attendant regarding a bag of peanuts, the duo land in Los Angeles and head off to the Press Your Luck studios.  But once they arrive, it's clear something is amiss.  One of the other two contestants is ill!

Since (for legal reasons) Jesus is unable to reveal his Messiah status by curing the contestant, the producers needed a new contestant toot sweet.  And since Doubting was right there with Jesus, they chose him!  They both are introduced to the third player before heading out to the stage.  The amiable Jesus shakes this new player's hands, before realizing how red and hot they are.  He looks up to see that the third contestant is none other than Satan P. Buchanan!

Well, isn't this interesting.  A routine episode of Press Your Luck has turned into a battle of good vs. evil!

SEGMENT THREE
Early on, Satan shouts "Big money, no whammies!" yet is immediately hit with a whammy.  Jesus smiles smugly, knowing that -- being the Messiah -- he has the ability to control the game.  Once the "Mr. T" whammy is finished taking away Satan's money, Jesus proceeds to win big bucks while failing to hit any whammies.   Doubting doesn't even get a turn, so thoroughly does Jesus dominate.

So Jesus is the winner, and is going to advance to the next episode!  Unfortunately, however, Satan is reviewing the rule book and finds an obscure clause (Article II, Section 4d) which bans any savior of humanity from participating in the game.  The judges convene, and rule that Satan is right.  Jesus is disqualified!

But wait!  Jesus does some rule book investigating of his own, and finds another clause specifically banning residents of Hell from taking part in the game.  So, by default, the money goes to ... Doubting R. Thomas III!

Jesus and Doubting arrive home.  The Messiah is depressed, but he reflects on the lesson he learned -- that cheating is bad, and wrong.  Still, he can't help feeling a bit jealous that his buddy Doubting won all the money.  But when Doubting blows all his cash at the track the following day, he and Jesus can do nothing but shake their heads and laugh.

GOLDEN QUOTE
"You'd have to be nuts to eat these peanuts!"
-- Doubting R. Thomas III

REFLECTIONS ON EPISODE #107
"Since Press Your Luck was huge about 15 years ago, we thought we'd be relatively timely by basing an episode around Jesus appearing on the show.  I mean, it's relatively timely if you look at it in geologic time.  Glaciers barely move over hundreds of years, humans evolved from apes over the course of millions of years, and women will grow third boobs in another million years or so.  Therefore, if you think this show is a bit dated, you're simply not viewing things the right way.  And besides, whammies rock."
-- writer Norm Mankelstein

EPISODE CREDITS
PRODUCED BY:  Tobyvision, Inc.
DIRECTED BY:  Moses
WRITTEN BY: Toby the Fork (head writer), Jesus D.M. Christ, Erin K. Gleeson, Captain Honeydukes, Jose The Magic Tampon, Norm Mankelstein, Steve Ruiz
CONTRIBUTING WRITER:  Wink Martindale
STARRING:  Jesus D.M. Christ as Himself ... Dennis Hopper as Doubting Thomas III ... Jim J. Bullock as the flight attendant ... Ezola Foster as Satan P. Buchanan ... Karen Carpenter as sick contestant ... Peter Tomarken as himself

For our What About Jesus? pre-launch interview with the Messiah Himself, click here!