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By now, the football as religion analogy is about as played out as steroid scandals in competitive cycling. But folks in Hoover, Alabama, take the phrase God on the Gridiron to a whole new level and MTV is there to document it in the new reality series "Two-A-Days," named for the two grueling practices the boys go through each day.

Sure, the fans are absolute zealots in their support of the Buccaneers, who have won four state championships out of the last five years, and fervently evangelical about the team: As those who have family and friends in the area know, Hoover can simply do no wrong. But what's so interesting is that "Two-A-Days" embraces the sports spirituality stereotype and takes it to an nth degree. In fact, in the premiere episode, the very first words out of Alex, a senior player and the episode's narrator, are "At Hoover, football is like a religion, and the players on the team are celebrities."

Sound familiar? Sure it does. We've seen it a million times in the movies and on tv. In fact, MTV has tackled the subject matter before, in 1999's "Varsity Blues"--boys elevated to gods and the pressures they face from the parents, themselves and the fans. Interestly enough, that film also features a character on a humorous and heartfelt spiritual quest, trying to discern what religion is right for himself. He tries everything from Nation of Islam to Zen Buddhism to tying himself to a cross at the breakfast table.

But there's nothing humorous in the very real religion found in "Two-A-Days." The morning before a nationally televised game that will determine who the number one high school team in the nation is, the boys meet with team chaplain, Terry Slay.

"Everyone is born with a gameplan. The reason I stand here today, the reason I have the faith and the fortidtude, or whatever I do, is all because of one thing... it's because I've got God's gameplan in my life. And I want you as players to understand, to have something to hang on to and the Lord's that person," Slay says.

Niceties out of the way, Slay continues preaching about how the people from the opposing school expect Hoover to fail. "Don't you dare embarrass this program by the way you play. Let them know they have come to the state of Alabama where football is king where football is football wehere we play like it's supposed to be played... and make sure that if you play in this game that you can't walk off, that you crawl off... give it all up."

Pressure much?

"Two-A-Day" is engaging television. Sure, it's full of teen drama (who's so and so cheating with?) and shenanigans (padlocking a backpack to a chair), but these Hoover players endure two grueling practices a day in temperatures that often sore about 100 degrees, they withstand the verbal, some might say abusive, barbs of the coaches, and they put up with parents and community members' critiques. So why do the boys do it? It seems to go beyond the instant celebrity status they achieve. The show is a compelling portrait of absolute devotion: Devotion to a game, devotion to the ideal of perfection.

Last week marked the introduction of a new character on "Sesame Street": Abby Cadabby, a fairy-in-training. Abby, who hails from Fairyside Gardens, Queens, is young, eager to learn, and has been described as a feminist who also likes being a "real girly-girl." Looking different than your typical Muppet, Abby was conceived as a strong female character who is "someone from a different culture, without having consciously to introduce somebody from Indonesia or India." According to the Muppet Wiki, "Her design was originally very earthy."

Earthy? Could that be a code word for Pagan? Certain Earth-based sects hold a belief in fairies, or the Fae, as they are known. And, like Abby, they work magic, although Abby's repertoire is currently limited. Plus Abby embodies the strong feminist message often espoused by pagan groups.

While it's fun to speculate about Abby's religious affiliation, she seems to be more pink moppet than pagan Muppet. Besides, it's more likely that she'll raise eyeballs amongst the conservative Tinki-Winkie's-holding-a-purse set for being a feminist, pink Muppet from Fairyside Gardens, Queens. Is today's episode is being brought to you by the letter "L"?

One thing is certain, however, "Sesame Street" producers are praying that she can work some powerful magic--powerful enough to bring in Elmo-sized dollars.

"Sure he may have walked through the Great Wall of China, wooed Claudia Schiffer, and used his superpowers to thwart would-be robbers, but those were mere parlor tricks," writes Eonline's Josh Grossberg of magician David Copperfield's claim to have discovered the Fountain of Youth. We couldn't have said it better ourselves, Josh.

Copperfield told Reuters that he has found the spring of eternal youth--the very same font that Juan Ponce de León was said to be looking for when he came upon Florida. Only instead of the Sunshine State, said fountain is actually in the Exuma archipelago, the Bahamas. According to the illusionist, who is planning on having the waters scientifically-tested, "You can take dead leaves, they come in contact with the water, they become full of life again... Bugs or insects that are near death, come in contact with the water, they'll fly away. It's an amazing thing, very, very exciting."

And potentially very lucrative. Copperfield scooped up one of the islands for a reported $65 million and plans to turn it into "a posh, private retreat that the ultra-rich can enjoy for up to $392,000 a week." Taking money from the pockets of the ultra-rich? Now, that's a trick we'd like to see!

What if Joan Girardi, the lead character on CBS's retired smash-hit "Joan of Arcadia," heard a voice, but it wasn't the voice of God. What if it was a voice telling her to do very bad things? Well, Joan's family would have only had to call the exoricsts listed right there on the TV Guide channel listing. That's right, the network that perfected the heartfelt, inspirational, spiritual drama--think "Touched by an Angel" and the aforementioned "Joan of Arcadia"--is turning to the dark side of the force to stay on top of the ratings pile.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that "Joan" creator Barbara Hall and uberproducer Joe Roth ("Little Man," "Exorcist III") have been given the green light to film a pilot for a show that will "revolve around exorcists and others who investigate supernatural phenomena."

Bob Larson--talk-radio host and author of "Larson's Book of Spiritual Warfare" and "Larson's Book of Cults"--will be a consultant.

So why should you watch a scripted drama about supernatural phenomena and exorcisms when there are plenty of reality-based shows--"Ghost Hunters," "Most Haunted," Derek Acorah's "Ghost Towns"--that do the same? For the drama. Reality show exorcisms are usually anticlimactic events, generally involving a group of people holding hands and saying a prayer or two to release trapped spirits from a dwelling. And that's just not Hollywood enough for most viewers.

As my fellow blogger Doug Howe recently noted, last week marked MTV's 25th anniversary. Doug has decided to forsake the cable giant for more "positive, spiritual" pastures, but I am still on board. It's true that the channel hawks such wares as the this-close-to-being-morally-bankrupt "Room Raiders" and "Parental Control," but I would argue that MTV isn't actually the spiritual wasteland Doug thinks it to be. Sure, the audience may learn more about religion through controversy than catechism, but they are exposed to different beliefs and views and may be inspired to explore them. And so, in no particular order, I present just a few of the ways that MTV has become Multi-Faith TV:

Catholicism:
We all know that "Catholics Do It Better," thanks to Madonna, whose very name reeks of religion. In order to understand songs like "Papa Don't Preach" and "Like a Prayer," and to understand the controversy and appreciate the symbolism of her edgy stage shows, teens learned more about the religion either on their own or through MTV soundbites.

Speaking of imagery, many MTV videos incoporate classic iconography. Perhaps one of the most prominent hagiographic clips is "Losing My Religion" by R.E.M., replete with images of arrow-riddled St. Sebastian.

Buddhism:
Ask most late-20 and early 30-somethings how they learned about Buddhism and they will answer, "The Beastie Boys." The three party-obsessed, Jewish boys from NYC became serious paractitioners of Buddhism and popularized the "Free Tibet" concerts.

Just last week, on a very amusing episode of MTV's "Run's House," Rev. Run, former member of rap pioneers RUN-DMC and a reverend-priest in Zoe Ministries, accompanied his brother, Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def-Jam records and a devout Buddhist, to a yoga class.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:
Julie the Mormon. That's how Julie Stoffer, who starred on "Real World: New Orleans," will always be known. Julie did in 2000 what the Osmonds did in the 70s--in her own quirky way, making Mormonism mainstream.

Christianity:
The past 10 years has been the decade of the virgin on MTV. Everyone from Britney Spears to Jessica Simpson to Mandy Moore was talking about God and virginity. One need only Kanye West's "Jesus Walks" to see pure unabashed Christianity on Viacom's video vixen. Plus, evangelical Christian bands like Sixpence None the Richer, Jars of Clay, and P.O.D. have all enjoyed frequent rotation.

Judaism:
Recently, millions of teens were introduced to Hasidic Judaism via rap/reggae artist Matisyahu. He sings about his faith and "counts among his musical inspirations Bob Marley, Phish, and Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach."

Islam:
Just recently, MTV began running a campaign of promo spots called "Spiritual Windows." One of the promos features Muslim men bowing in prayer. More importantly, the network featured Colin Powell discussing Islam and provided factual and responsible reports about that religion post-9/11.

And don't forget the terrific work being done by MTV documentaries: "Made," in which a teen realizes a life dream with the help of a coach provided by MTV. And then there's the "Real Life" series, which offers dramatic, often inspiring, takes on subjects affecting youth.

Sure, MTV is a bit unorthodox, but it's a great way to educate the masses and increase understanding. Just ask former MTV VeeJay Carson Daly who had, at one time, wanted to be a priest. Without MTV, how else would Middle America know what it means to be a Hasidic Jew who sings reggae, which itself is often associated with Rastafarianism?

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