Ang Lee will direct pilot for new TV drama series ‘Tyrant’

Most recently, some TV critics have said that “The Bible,” which attracted an average of 13 million viewers in its premiere, is more action flick than spiritual journey — like they meant it to sting.

TV critics also tend to give CBS shows a miss, not thinking highly of the networks’ heavy lineup of closed-ended procedural crime dramas and raunchy Chuck Lorre comedies (except “The Big Bang Theory,” which they embrace).

So, Burnett appearing on CBS and discussing TV critics is a match made in heaven.

CBS announced that Burnett will be seen saying in its Sunday show: “If the TV critics were so good, they’ve be making TV themselves, wouldn’t they?” Apparently, Burnett will add that he does not pay attention to TV critics.

This from the guy who, in August, put out a lavish spread for a boatload of media who cover TV at his swank digs in Malibu — to promote the first fall launch of “The Voice.”

Anyway, Burnett said during the pre-taped interview that making “The Bible” was a “spiritual,” rather than a commercial, calling and that, for him, it has been “such a growth, and maybe that’s the biggest blessing of all.”

It’s also been a great way to resurrect wife Roma Downey’s career, although CBS did not report him mentioning that.

Since starring in CBS’s “Touched by an Angel” (which ended about a decade ago), Downey has appeared in a few episodes of the Lifetime cop drama “The Division,” and has done a few Hallmark movies and some other projects, but nothing big.

In “The Bible,” however, Downey plays Mary. She said in the interview that the idea for the miniseries was “God’s idea placed in my heart.”

‘Mars’ hits $3 million

. . . and, as of 7:17 p.m. Thursday, the “Veronica Mars” Kickstarter campaign to raise $2 million in fan money hit $3 million. On Wednesday, the campaign launched by “Veronica Mars” creator Rob Thomas hit $1 million at 3:06 p.m. Eastern — just four hours after it went live, setting a Kickstarter record. It hit $2 million at 8:55 p.m. With the money, Warner Bros. is greenlighting a limited-release “Veronica Mars” movie.

To read previous columns by Lisa de Moraes, visit washingtonpost.com/
tvblog.