'Bible' producers: Obama-Satan resemblance 'nonsense,' actor Mehdi Ouzaani highly acclaimed

In a carwreck that could only happen at the intersection of Television Boulevard and Internet Drive, the History Channel has been forced to release a statement debunking online speculation that the actor who plays Satan on their new series, "The Bible," was purposely chosen because he looks like President Barack Obama. 

History Channel statement: “History Channel has the highest respect for President Obama. The series was produced with an international and diverse cast of respected actors. It's unfortunate that anyone made this false connection. History’s ‘The Bible’ is meant to enlighten people on its rich stories and deep history.”

Meanwhile, the producers -- husband and wife team Mark Burnett and "Touched by an Angel's" Roma Downey -- had their own statements which did not refute the network's: 

Burnett: “This is utter nonsense. The actor who played Satan, Mehdi Ouzaani, is a highly acclaimed Moroccan actor. He has previously played parts in several Biblical epics -- including satanic characters long before Barack Obama was elected as our president.” Executive producer Roma Downey added, "Both Mark and I have nothing but respect and love our president, who is a fellow Christian. False statements such as these are just designed as a foolish distraction to try and discredit the beauty of the story of The Bible.”

The Satan character in the series, as played by Mehdi Ouazzani, does seem to have a very passing resemblance to the most powerful man on the planet. And "The Bible" has been one of the highest-rated cable miniseries ever, and it is assumed by Hollywood watchers that its appeal largely lies in the (ummm) Bible Belt where support of the president is (ummm) not all that strong.

Ergo: That all knowing, crowdsourcing beast that prowls the land (the Internet, not Satan) has decided the resemblance is not coincidental. 

Sigh. (Burp.)

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