Does anyone have a link for the entire special, or know of a DVD release date? I am in the US and desperate to see this,as I'm sure are a lot of other folks. Help!

I watched about half of the programme before realising that was Tim Booth! Missed the Smiths songs unfortunately, but I caught some Joy Division, New Order, James, and, um, Robbie Williams. o_O

The evening was well attended and looked terrific on television. I thought it was brilliant the way they gave the songs a religious slant.

Jesus (played by Darren Moffit I think)came in at the beginning singing "You're gonna need someone on your side" from 'Your Arsenal' - I got quite a shock! It sounded good and really appropriate. Jesus sang as he walked around meeting people, he was backed by an acoustic guitar, an accordian and a cello. Terrific.

Tim Booth as Judas sang 'Heaven knows I'm miserable now' with real passion and, again, it was terrific how the lines suited the role/situation.

Other highlights were 'love will tear us apart' 'cast no shadow' 'sit down' and a terrific duet of 'blue monday' between Jesus and Judas. Keith Allen singing 'wonderwall' is best forgotten!

A brilliant idea that worked really well. Could we do it in london in the future? hmmmm. Doubt we have as much musical pedigree as Manchester.

Thought it was amateurish and awful and Tim Booth made a right pigs ear of his singing.

This was one of the worst TV productions of all time.

In the future, if they're still doing those list shows, this will be Number 1 Most Dreadful TV Moments Of All Time Ever.

Keith Allen 'singing' wonderwall...

The obvious 'I Am The Ressurection' at the end.

And why only Manchester songs? It's another typical Manchester love-in. I can see a feasable project whereby the Easter story is told using pop music, but why just The Roses, James, Smiths, New Order... It was utter utter crap. So bad it made me angry.

Still, nice to see that bloke who played the doctor in EastEnders again.

Fuck me... I can't get over a) how shit this was and b) people enjoying it and not hiding behind a cushion like I was. Each to their own I suppose.

Anyone not in the UK PLEASE try and get hold of a copy of this and pour scorn back at us. We deserve it. Rather, Manchester does.

You speak utter crap Stan. The whole night was electric, the songs were fantastic and there was real passion in each performance. Not only that, I think the production was excellent. Manchester looked stunning and I found it extremely touching to see so many people utterly bonded by a common cause of unity and spirit (but not in a happy-clappy bible bashing way).

Also, every review I have read from the night has been glowing.

Maybe you have a problem with your TV......

yeah I found myself sitting in the manchester sunshine on Friday and low and behold Tim booth sits next to me and starts singing heaven knows I'm miserable now! I think it was the rehersal for the evening show??? Amazing.
I loved James and it was an emotional moment!

First off, I don't think it was as bad as Stan says. You're gonna need someone on your side was not bad given it was played on a couple of violins.

Tim Booth made a passable attempt at Heaven knows I'm miserable now, until the end when it sounded like he'd been grabbed by the balls, which kind of ruined the whole song.

The concept in itself was a nice idea, the execution not so great (it was hardly gripping). I think Anonymous and the other 'glowing' reviewers must have been watching through rose tinted specs. As a whole it was at best OK - I made a point of sitting down to watch and frankly got bored.

Also, they played Angels by Robbie Williams, who is famously from Stoke and not Manchester. Schoolboy error (I suppose someone will correct me now and I'll look a prat. Oh well).

If you got to http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/default.s tm - scroll down to Video, Entertainment news, there's about a minute about it (including a clip of Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now) as part of the news bulletin. Plus, by coincidence, Mozza at Glastobury as well!

Are you lot talking about the same programme I saw ?

Barbarism really does begin at home. This was one of the worst things I ever seen.

For those of you spared watching, it was basically a traditional Medieval passion play with a modern twist - the twist being that the story of Christ's betrayal and crucifixation was told though the medium of pop songs by Manchester crooners. Cue Judas singing "heaven knows I'm miserable now", and Christ,inexplicably, advising his Disciples to "Sit Down Next to Me".
'Guest' appearances from the likes of Factory Records supremo Tony Wilson hardly helped matters. A low point was a black Mary imploring her white son to "reach for the hero inside yourself" to the strains of the Manc Philharmonic
'doing' M People. It all seemed like it was staged
and written by a local authority publicity department, or, more tragically, a local history museum.

...and it was wonderful!
Everyone who says otherwise is just thick.

Well, in theory this should have been awful, and it certainly had shades of amateur hour about it....but I thought it was very enjoyable in all.

Forgive me if I've missed a comment, but why has no-one mentioned the whole event started with Jesus singing a version of "You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side"?? This to me was by far the most welcome surprise. All the other songs were far more famous (and, yes, "obvious" really), so to have the whole event kicked off by a Morrissey album-only track from 1992 was a pretty brave decision!

-Ben G

Where is this special? I am so eager to see it. Can anyone help?

...and, yes, this was really bizarre beyond words. But bizarre enough to defy good or bad categorization.

Is Manchester largely Catholic? (Well, I guess Protestants have the Passion Play,). I just can't imagine this taking place anywhere in the U.S. for a variety of reasons.

But Tim Booth--my goodness, what happened? Does he have HIV or cancer or something. (I hope not! He just looked a little gaunt--and so very bald.) Is James still making records?

The Jesus was really cute. Who is he?

Thanks for this. It was so funny this clip. Tim as Judas singing in the streets of London a Smith's song, ja ja.

I sure with people would stop using that crappy Megaupload. It's full of spyware, adware. Good grief.

In the interests of those (like myself) bound to dial up by the places that we live, is there anyone out there who would be kind enough to direct me to audio clips of the said songs ...?

...where's the link...?!

xXx

... Where?