Lentorama 2009: Great(?) Moments in Catholics on Television

February 5, 1953: Bishop Fulton J. Sheen wins his first Emmy Award

For someone working for one of the least progressive organizations, Bishop Fulton Sheen had a keen sense of how technology could impact religion. Well known for his studies in theology and philosophy, Sheen supplemented his teaching work with a radio show, The Catholic Hour, that ran from 1930 to 1950. In 1951, when he was made auxiliary bishop of New York, he decided to move into the new medium of television.

His show, Life is Worth Living, saw him discuss religious questions and issues of the day, all from a Catholic point of view. He quickly became one of the best-known figures on the DuMont Network, and even after its collapse he found a home at ABC, where his program aired until 1957. He would have his own syndicated show in the 1960s, using basically the same format.

But back to his Emmy win. He won the Emmy in 1953 for Most Outstanding Personality, beating out Lucille Ball, Jimmy Durante, Arthur Godfrey, Edward R. Murrow, Donald O'Connor, and Adlai Stevenson (who apparently couldn't beat anybody), which is a pretty impressive group of people.

On the down side, Sheen did popularize the use of television to prostelytize, opening the door for anyone who could figure out a way to use Bible quotes to get viewers to send them money. Not everyone is holding this against him, though, as there's a movement afoot to canonize Sheen. I assume the miracles credited to him will involve fixing wonky vertical holds.