Must-Believe TV

This week, NBC rolled out "Revelations," a six-hour miniseries about an astrophysicist, a nun, and their globe-trotting study of the apocalyptic conditions.

TV networks always broadcast their blockbusters during the all-important sweeps periods. Right now, executives are banking on religion to bring in the big bucks.

It could be a safe bet. The influence of Christian fundamentalism is everywhere, from the White House to the corner bookstore, where the apocalyptic "Left Behind" books are flying off the shelves.

Hear a discussion on religion's growing footprint on American popular culture.

Guests:

David Zurawik, TV critic for The Baltimore Sun;

Barbara Rossing, ordained minister, author of "The Rapture Exposed: The Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation," and professor of New Testament at The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago;

Diane Winston, Knight Chair in Media and Religion at the Annenberg School of Communication at the University of Southern California. She is also author of "Faith in the City: Religion and Urban Commercial Culture.";

David Seltzer, creator and writer of the new NBC miniseries "Revelations."