Full Article Text
TV TV Blog Popwrap Linda Stasi Michael Starr Phil Mushnick Reviews Listings
Last Updated:Wed., Dec. 22, 2010, 12:47am
Rex Ryan
Bernard Madoff
Eli Manning
Gwyneth Paltrow
WikiLeaks
PicsPostToday in Pictures
Story
Comment
ABC VIA GETTY IMAGES
HOLY HERO: Joel Gretsch stars as Father Jack in “V,” which
returns to ABC next month. Father Jack is the only characterweary of the Visitors and their leader AnnaThe good Father
'V' saves endangered species: hero priest
By MICHAEL GILTZ
Last Updated: 1:07 AM, November 23, 2010
Posted: 10:25 PM, November 21, 2010
Comments:
1
Like
Sign Up to see what your friends like.
5
The sci-fi series " V" -- which returns in early January -- offers one
of the rarest sights on TV: a heroic priest.
Priests on TV are, these days, child molesters or behind-the-collar schemers. It's only natural
considering recent headlines.
But "V" having a heroic priest a as one of its main characters? That makes Father Jack Landry
practically one of kind in prime time.
The novelty is not lost on Joel Gretsch, the actor who plays Father Landry.
"I grew up in a small town in Minnesota," says Gretsch, "and there was a seminary -- the biggest
one in the country -- about six miles from there. I'd go to leadership camp there every summer.
"I was around a lot of priests who werevery influential in my life in an
extraordinary way."
"V" is a remake of the popular, 1983
miniseries about a fleet of alien space
ships that appear one day over the
major cities of the world. The "Visitors,"
as the aliens call themselves, promisetheir intent is peaceful and that they only
want to help humanity.
But a few humans learn early on that the
Visitors are not what they claim to be.
In the opening moment of the new
series -- which switched from NBC to
ABC in the intervening 27 years --
people are shown flocking to their
houses of worship. In times of fear andconfusion, naturally people turn to faith.
That's where the novelty of the Father
Jack character -- who was not in the
original -- comes in, because the priest
is one of the few who realize the Vistorsare up to no good.
More
Print
Sponsored Links
Get Renting Advice
Entertainment
Best western
Embrace the madness
Just kidding...
Home TVMovies Music Fashion Theater Food Travel Pets Events Comics & Games Columnists
Blogs
Horoscope
Lifestyle
NYC Local
Business
OpinionNews
Vacay-Rod
Alex Rodriguez and Cameron
Diaz have their very own hot-
stove...
Gossip
Celeb Photos
PopWrapPage Six
Family feud
Uber-conservative Stephen
Baldwin is bracing for a
Baldwin...
Teams
High Schools
Scores
Sports
Feeling 'Melo
MEMPHIS — With each day,
the Nets confidence seems to
grow that...
PHOTOS VIDEOS BLOGS
30 ° Today's Paper
Login
Register
Classifieds
Archives
Subscribe
More in Photos
Click on Each Photo
Video
More in Videos
VIEWED COMMENTEDMost Popular
1. Family feud
2. Spidey's tangled web
3. Hubby would take back 'vow'
4. Rabbi indicted on murder charges in
killing of ex-cop
5. End for Andy?
"Father Jack can't be, 'Okay, let's just
hold hands and pray,' " says Gretsch.
"He knows, 'I have to do something. Ihave to do stuff, and people are going
to possibly get hurt. We're in a war, and
when you go to war there are going tobe casualties.' "
The priest cannot go public with his
knowledge about the aliens, so he joinsa group of insurgents -- including a long-
sought-after terrorist and an alien
defector -- to wage guerilla war.
Gretsch -- who was raised Catholic and is married with two children to William Shatner's daughter
-- is ready for a flesh-and-blood man of the cloth who fights the aliens, agonizes over "collateral
damage" and, yes, finds his faith tested by a growing bond with beautiful FBI agent Erica Evans(Elizabeth Mitchell).
The 46-year-old actor is glad the show didn't take the obvious route where "the collar comes flying
off," as he put it.
His priestly "naivete and trying to look at the good of people" are weaknesses the stunning alien
leader, Anna, will try to exploit this season, Gretsch says.
But don't be surprised to see the attraction between Father Jack and Evans become even more
noticeable when the 10 episode-run of Season 2 begins in January. (Season 1 of the series just
came out on DVD.)
"Throughout this second season, you're going to see that struggle in many ways," he says.
Like
Sign Up to see what your friends like.
5
More
PrintNYPOST Comments (0)
You must be logged in to leave comments. Login ι RegisterCurrency from Amex: Earn. Spend. Save. Share. Sign
Up Online Now!
getcurrency.com
Business On Main
Articles, Tools & Resources for Small Business,
Connected by Sprint!
www.BusinessOnMain.com
How to Fall Asleep?
Cambridge Researchers have developed an all
natural sleep aid just for you.
HealthHeadlines.com
Buy a link here Sponsored Links
Get Renting Advice
Currency from Amex: Earn. Spend. Save. Share. Sign Up Online Now!
getcurrency.com
Business On Main
Articles, Tools & Resources for Small Business, Connected by Sprint!www.BusinessOnMain.com
How to Fall Asleep?
Cambridge Researchers have developed an all natural sleep aid just for...HealthHeadlines.com
READ
Can't find what you're looking for? Try searching:
NEW YORK POST is a registered trademark of NYP Holdings, Inc.
NYPOST.COM , NYPOSTONLINE.COM , and NEWYORKPOST.COM are trademarks of NYP Holdings, Inc.
Copyright 2010 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy | Terms of UseNews :Business Opinion Columnists Local News
Sports :Columnists Scores Fantasy
PageSix :Celeb Photos POPWRAP Page Six Magazine
Entertainment :TV Movies Music
Classifieds :Rentals Jobs Cars Real Estate NY Apartments
Multimedia :Photos Video
Specials :Contests/SweepstakesPOST SECTIONS CUSTOMER CARE
Contact Us
FAQ
Today's Paper
Archives
Covers
Back IssuesReprintsSitemap
HelpSUBSCRIBE
Home Delivery
Daily Newsletter
E-Edition
Mobile
RSS
User ServicesiPadADVERTISING/PARTNERS
Media KitParade Magazine
Coupons
Fran Drescher Disses President Obama, Plans to
Run For Congress
Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:56:41 GMT
EXCLUSIVE: Lindsay Lohan’s Team Says SheWasn't Fired From 'Inferno'
Fri, 26 Nov 2010 05:07:33 GMT
Black Eyed Peas to Perform During Super Bowl'sHalftime
Fri, 26 Nov 2010 00:48:31 GMT
DAILY 411: Paris Hilton Fires Back at Fake HairLawsuit
Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:11:58 GMT
REVIEW: 'Burlesque' Not Just Bad, It's 'Showgirls'Bad
Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:30:48 GMT
Last Updated:Wed., Dec. 22, 2010, 12:47am
Rex Ryan
Bernard Madoff
Eli Manning
Gwyneth Paltrow
WikiLeaks
PicsPostToday in Pictures
Story
Comment
ABC VIA GETTY IMAGES
HOLY HERO: Joel Gretsch stars as Father Jack in “V,” which
returns to ABC next month. Father Jack is the only characterweary of the Visitors and their leader AnnaThe good Father
'V' saves endangered species: hero priest
By MICHAEL GILTZ
Last Updated: 1:07 AM, November 23, 2010
Posted: 10:25 PM, November 21, 2010
Comments:
1
Like
Sign Up to see what your friends like.
5
The sci-fi series " V" -- which returns in early January -- offers one
of the rarest sights on TV: a heroic priest.
Priests on TV are, these days, child molesters or behind-the-collar schemers. It's only natural
considering recent headlines.
But "V" having a heroic priest a as one of its main characters? That makes Father Jack Landry
practically one of kind in prime time.
The novelty is not lost on Joel Gretsch, the actor who plays Father Landry.
"I grew up in a small town in Minnesota," says Gretsch, "and there was a seminary -- the biggest
one in the country -- about six miles from there. I'd go to leadership camp there every summer.
"I was around a lot of priests who werevery influential in my life in an
extraordinary way."
"V" is a remake of the popular, 1983
miniseries about a fleet of alien space
ships that appear one day over the
major cities of the world. The "Visitors,"
as the aliens call themselves, promisetheir intent is peaceful and that they only
want to help humanity.
But a few humans learn early on that the
Visitors are not what they claim to be.
In the opening moment of the new
series -- which switched from NBC to
ABC in the intervening 27 years --
people are shown flocking to their
houses of worship. In times of fear andconfusion, naturally people turn to faith.
That's where the novelty of the Father
Jack character -- who was not in the
original -- comes in, because the priest
is one of the few who realize the Vistorsare up to no good.
More
Sponsored Links
Get Renting Advice
Entertainment
Best western
Embrace the madness
Just kidding...
Home TVMovies Music Fashion Theater Food Travel Pets Events Comics & Games Columnists
Blogs
Horoscope
Lifestyle
NYC Local
Business
OpinionNews
Vacay-Rod
Alex Rodriguez and Cameron
Diaz have their very own hot-
stove...
Gossip
Celeb Photos
PopWrapPage Six
Family feud
Uber-conservative Stephen
Baldwin is bracing for a
Baldwin...
Teams
High Schools
Scores
Sports
Feeling 'Melo
MEMPHIS — With each day,
the Nets confidence seems to
grow that...
PHOTOS VIDEOS BLOGS
30 ° Today's Paper
Login
Register
Classifieds
Archives
Subscribe
More in Photos
Click on Each Photo
Video
More in Videos
VIEWED COMMENTEDMost Popular
1. Family feud
2. Spidey's tangled web
3. Hubby would take back 'vow'
4. Rabbi indicted on murder charges in
killing of ex-cop
5. End for Andy?
"Father Jack can't be, 'Okay, let's just
hold hands and pray,' " says Gretsch.
"He knows, 'I have to do something. Ihave to do stuff, and people are going
to possibly get hurt. We're in a war, and
when you go to war there are going tobe casualties.' "
The priest cannot go public with his
knowledge about the aliens, so he joinsa group of insurgents -- including a long-
sought-after terrorist and an alien
defector -- to wage guerilla war.
Gretsch -- who was raised Catholic and is married with two children to William Shatner's daughter
-- is ready for a flesh-and-blood man of the cloth who fights the aliens, agonizes over "collateral
damage" and, yes, finds his faith tested by a growing bond with beautiful FBI agent Erica Evans(Elizabeth Mitchell).
The 46-year-old actor is glad the show didn't take the obvious route where "the collar comes flying
off," as he put it.
His priestly "naivete and trying to look at the good of people" are weaknesses the stunning alien
leader, Anna, will try to exploit this season, Gretsch says.
But don't be surprised to see the attraction between Father Jack and Evans become even more
noticeable when the 10 episode-run of Season 2 begins in January. (Season 1 of the series just
came out on DVD.)
"Throughout this second season, you're going to see that struggle in many ways," he says.
Like
Sign Up to see what your friends like.
5
More
PrintNYPOST Comments (0)
You must be logged in to leave comments. Login ι RegisterCurrency from Amex: Earn. Spend. Save. Share. Sign
Up Online Now!
getcurrency.com
Business On Main
Articles, Tools & Resources for Small Business,
Connected by Sprint!
www.BusinessOnMain.com
How to Fall Asleep?
Cambridge Researchers have developed an all
natural sleep aid just for you.
HealthHeadlines.com
Buy a link here Sponsored Links
Get Renting Advice
Currency from Amex: Earn. Spend. Save. Share. Sign Up Online Now!
getcurrency.com
Business On Main
Articles, Tools & Resources for Small Business, Connected by Sprint!www.BusinessOnMain.com
How to Fall Asleep?
Cambridge Researchers have developed an all natural sleep aid just for...HealthHeadlines.com
READ
Can't find what you're looking for? Try searching:
NEW YORK POST is a registered trademark of NYP Holdings, Inc.
NYPOST.COM , NYPOSTONLINE.COM , and NEWYORKPOST.COM are trademarks of NYP Holdings, Inc.
Copyright 2010 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy | Terms of UseNews :Business Opinion Columnists Local News
Sports :Columnists Scores Fantasy
PageSix :Celeb Photos POPWRAP Page Six Magazine
Entertainment :TV Movies Music
Classifieds :Rentals Jobs Cars Real Estate NY Apartments
Multimedia :Photos Video
Specials :Contests/SweepstakesPOST SECTIONS CUSTOMER CARE
Contact Us
FAQ
Today's Paper
Archives
Covers
Back IssuesReprintsSitemap
HelpSUBSCRIBE
Home Delivery
Daily Newsletter
E-Edition
Mobile
RSS
User ServicesiPadADVERTISING/PARTNERS
Media KitParade Magazine
Coupons
Fran Drescher Disses President Obama, Plans to
Run For Congress
Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:56:41 GMT
EXCLUSIVE: Lindsay Lohan’s Team Says SheWasn't Fired From 'Inferno'
Fri, 26 Nov 2010 05:07:33 GMT
Black Eyed Peas to Perform During Super Bowl'sHalftime
Fri, 26 Nov 2010 00:48:31 GMT
DAILY 411: Paris Hilton Fires Back at Fake HairLawsuit
Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:11:58 GMT
REVIEW: 'Burlesque' Not Just Bad, It's 'Showgirls'Bad
Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:30:48 GMT