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Think Joan of Arcadia has it rough talking to God? Try being Barbara Hall, the creator of CBS' hit drama, who has to put words in the Almighty's mouth. She can't go anywhere without inviting fiery debate about the existence of the big G, like the recent weekend barbecue where she found herself in a yelling match with a ''scientific materialist'' who was inclined to see deism as superstitious hooey. Thing is, Hall actually digs these theological throwdowns. ''That was my whole point of doing the show,'' says the executive producer, who also created CBS' ''Judging Amy.'' ''I love the fact that human beings are driven to understand the mysteries of life.''
Earnest? Heavens, yes. But what the hell? It works. Anointed with three Emmy nominations (including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actress for breakout star Amber Tamblyn) and ratings power strong enough to exorcise rivals (begone, Alicia Silverstone!), the holy-rollin' ''Joan'' has put the Good back into Friday. Credit the show's pop transcendence to its honest treatment of faithfulness in a faithless world, leavening sense of humor, and grounded performances -- and the zeitgeist. ''We live in a time where people slam planes into buildings,'' says Joe Mantegna, who plays Joan's doubting Thomas pop, Will Girardi. ''Bottom line, religion and faith play a big factor in what we have to deal with, good or bad.''
Despite ''Joan'''s divine design, Hall believes there's room for improvement. For one thing, the show's first-season depiction of God ''was a little too noble,'' says Hall, who crafted a surprisingly dark cliff-hanger in an attempt to inject provocative ambiguity into the show: Joan, stricken with Lyme disease, comes to believe she hallucinated all of her encounters with God. Says Hall: ''The second season is about starting over.''
It begins three months later, with Joan questioning her sanity and feeling pretty darn bitter toward God. (''She's treating their relationship like a breakup,'' says Tamblyn.) Moreover, the drunk driver who paralyzed Joan's older brother, Kevin (Jason Ritter), unexpectedly reenters the Girardis' lives, and the ramifications will have the clan searching their souls all season long. ''This year, I'm the one that's exploring the idea of faith in God,'' says Mary Steenburgen, who plays Joan's Irish Catholic mom, Helen. New, recurring cast members include Constance Zimmer (''Good Morning, Miami'') as a nun who mentors Helen, and Sprague Grayden (''Six Feet Under'') as Joan's bad-influence friend. Hall says most of the actors who embodied God last year will return, including ''Cute Boy God'' (Kris Lemche) and ''Mrs. Landingham God'' (named for the character that actress Kathryn Joosten played on ''The West Wing''). ''Actually,'' says Hall, ''we call her 'Old Lady God,' but when she's on set, it's 'Mrs. Landingham God.'''
As for Tamblyn, life has become as crazy for her as it is for Joan -- in a good way. ''I'm still pinching myself,'' says the 21-year-old, who's wrapping her mind around the conundrums of celebrity doctrine. ''It's funny: Once you can afford to buy cool stuff, they give it to you for free. I have my 'treasure trove,' which is what I get from the awards shows. I give some of it to my friends.'' But don't worry, Emmy voters: Tamblyn promises that a best-actress trophy would not wind up on her giveaway table. ''Not that I'm, like, going to get it or anything.'' Jeez, Joan -- have a little faith.
-- Jeff Jensen
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