Gospel singer Deitrick Haddon performing
Written by | Ray Cornelius
Have you ever wondered what it was really like to be a Pastor or Bishop of a Mega-Church? Well, you will get your chance this fall as Oxygen teams up with Lemuel Plummer, the creator and executive producer of “Vindicated” and Holly Carter, the executive producer of BET’s “The Sheards,” for a new docu-series entitled “Pastors of L.A.”
According to the show’s press release, this ground-breaking series will follow six well-known “mega-pastors” from Southern California: Bishop Noel Jones (pictured below), Bishop Clarence McClendon, Pastor Wayne Chaney, Bishop Ron Gibson, Pastor Jay HaizLip, and Gospel-singer Dietrick Haddon. Each one is willing to share diverse aspects of their lives, from their work in the community and with their parishioners to the very large and sometimes provocative lives they lead away from the pulpit.
“Pastors of L.A.’ documents these larger than life characters who are rock stars in their communities, with a fresh, unique perspective that will resonate with our young audience,” said Rod Aissa, Senior Vice President of Original Programming and Development, Oxygen Media. “By teaming up with Lemuel and Holly who are some of the best creative minds in the business and heavily respected within this community, we can deliver this authentic series with integrity, while also staying right on brand with Oxygen.”
Holly Carter, whose TV credits include “106 & Gospel” and WEtv’s “L.A. Hair” says, “This show documents a journey of transparency from one man to the next as they endeavor to lead others to their own truth and self-discovery. It’s a dose of reality and a pound of redemption coming from a creative team reared in the church.” Carter holds a doctorate of divinity with an emphasis on marketplace ministry and is the daughter of a pastor and an industry veteran in faith and inspirational development and programming. She has also worked with such gospel artists as Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Cece Winans and Mary, Mary.
“Pastors of L.A.” will join a growing trend in faith-based unscripted programming on secular channels. While such programs as WEtv’s “Mary, Mary” and BET’s “The Sheards” and “Sunday Best” have proven to be rating winners. Other shows such as TLC’s “The Sisterhood” and Lifetime’s “Preacher’s Daughters” have sparked controversy and outrage amongst religious audiences. It remains to be seen where “Pastors of L.A.” will stand with television viewers. However, Lumuel Plummer, executive producer of the show intends to portray these “men of the cloth” with the utmost respect and integrity.
“I come to this project with a respect and understanding of their world, having grown up as the son of a pastor and religious broadcasters. We intend to portray the human side of these pastors and the real world in which they live and work.”
Pastors of L.A. will air this fall on Oxygen. Will you watch this new show?
