{"id":9734,"date":"2011-12-30T08:10:27","date_gmt":"2011-12-30T14:10:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/deaconsbench\/?p=9734"},"modified":"2016-09-30T17:35:00","modified_gmt":"2016-09-30T21:35:00","slug":"the-next-big-reality-tv-star-just-might-be-a-priest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/deaconsbench\/2011\/12\/the-next-big-reality-tv-star-just-might-be-a-priest\/","title":{"rendered":"The next big reality TV star just might be a priest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

He\u2019s Father Steve Porter, from California (of course!) and he\u2019s getting a lot of buzz for a series now in development.<\/p>\n

From a press release<\/a><\/strong> on the program:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Rev. Steve Porter of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church and Derek Christopher of Lighthouse Blues Productions have spent the last year filming, editing and pitching a reality TV series tentatively titled \u201cDivine Intervention with Father Steve\u201d to big-time networks like A&E, History, Discovery, TLC, truTV and more.<\/p>\n

Networks like A&E and truTV have taken discussions to the highest levels, but as the show waits for a green light from a network, Christopher has taken the project to the popular funding site Kickstarter to assist in shooting a new round of stories in January. \u201cOur show is unusual in that we\u2019ve signed three major production deals and have had every major cable network tell us they love the show, but they\u2019re all afraid of taking that final leap of faith of putting the show on the air.\u201d According to Christopher, anything with hint of religion is still considered taboo on mainstream television. However, with a backlog of stories waiting to be filmed, Christopher has decided to continue production independently as a 10-episode web series until a network television deal is confirmed.<\/p>\n

The show has received widespread mainstream media attention including a feature story on NBC News in Los Angeles, a front-page article in The Sun newspaper (San Bernardino\u2019s biggest newspaper) and more.<\/p>\n

Porter acknowledges that his methods may not endear him to Christian viewers who expect to hear only Bible-based preaching to the unconverted. In fact, Christopher says that the show has had such traction with network executives because, \u201cIt\u2019s not a religious show. It\u2019s an entertainment show that just happens to star a Catholic Priest.\u201d Father Steve adds, \u201cThe Bible is very important, but there\u2019s more to life than Scriptures. And I know evangelicals will go crazy when they hear me say that.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Read more.<\/a> <\/strong> The curious can visit the good padre\u2019s Kickstarter fundraising page<\/a><\/strong> for more info.\u00a0 Meantime, check out the preview clip below.<\/p>\n