Who would have thought that the saucy, sassy, soapy “Desperate Housewives” would have returned after a strike-imposed hiatus with a smart and spiritual storyline? Definitely not me. I tuned in last night out of curiosity over any new programming, and I waited for the show to slip into some kind of mockery of church and…

The Donaldson Correctional Facility in Bessemer, Alabama holds 1500 of the country’s most violent offenders. Inmates there have been convicted of murder in every degree among other senseless acts of extreme violence that will haunt the victims’ (and the inmates’) families for years. Donaldson houses it all. Besides wondering myself whether such criminals can ever…

She’s sassy and flirtatious, vivacious and mischievous. I’m not writing about Hollywood’s next ingénue du jour, I’m actually referring to 92-year old Eileen Hall, one of the most captivating members of ‘”Young@Heart,” a new film from Fox Searchlight about a New England senior citizens chorus of the same name that covers songs by everyone from…

Last year’s “Idol Gives Back” was an exciting experiment in charitable giving with a delightful roughness around the edges and a pioneering spirit. This year the “Idol” team produced a slick telethon with a vast array of stars and even a contestant-laden phone bank luring fans to call in and donate. The show itself was…

More from Beliefnet and our partners
More from Beliefnet and our partners