I finally saw some of One Punk Under God, a moving "original observational documentary" (i.e. a somewhat refined first cousin to reality TV) that airs on the Sundance Channel on Wednesdays at
9 p.m. Manhattan time. Jay Bakker and his "Revolution" ministry is the main subject, but within the context of all sorts of events and other people. This is a logical sequel to Bakker's 2001 memoir, Son of a Preacher Man: My Search for Grace in the Shadows. He's the gutsy and sometimes forlorn son of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, former televangelists with the PTL Club out of Charlotte, North Carolina who've long since fallen out of power.
I found episode four, a riveting one that includes Jay's appearance on his father's "New Jim Bakker Show" broadcasting from Branson City, Missouri, "one of the most beautiful locations on Earth" according to that show's lead-in. Jay's wife Amanda has convinced him to move to New York City so she can attend NYU, which makes the dying Tammy Faye nervous.
The separate scenes featuring Jay meeting up with his divorced parents individually are heartrending.
Besides Branson City, there is on location footage shot in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Chapel Hill.
Based on this episode alone, I wholeheartedly recommend it. It inspires compassion and tears for the universal human condition. The link above contains a gallery of images, more background, and downloads of the show. Here's a link to Tammy Faye's official website.
Today's Runes: Opening; Wholeness.
Let compassion rule the day.
3 comments:
Wow I love the title of that documentary, One Punk Under God. Very cool. It is weird the 1st impressions people get when seeing a "punk".
I remember when the Jim and Tammy Faye scandal was pasted all over the TV and the gossip mags. Unfortunately, we don't get the Sundance Channel so I'll probably never see the One Punk Under God show you speak of. Catchy Title though.
Televangelists who fall from power, eh? Sounds intriguing. The "want to read" list is just piling up!
Post a Comment