As a MTV executive, Rod Aissa helped develop "Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica." Now at Oxygen Media, believes he's found equally engaging young marrieds who will appeal to today's millennials. However, the couple featured in "Rich in Faith" are pastors, not pop stars.
The reality show features Rich Wilkerson Jr. and his wife DawnChere as they launch a youth-oriented Miami church, Vous, and grapple with balancing work and home life.
"What I liked about it for Oxygen is the overlay of the discussion of faith," Aissa said. "We know from brand research ... that traditional things like family and relationship to God and spirituality are still high on their (the audience's) list."
Rich Wilkerson brings a celebrity connection to the series: He married Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, but the Wilkersons say it's their relationship with God and parishioners that's important, not TV celebrity or its trappings.
"So often it's really easy, especially for people of faith, to sit around and report negatively about the status quo of where our nation is or where entertainment is," said Rich Wilkerson.
"Our idea was to do something that's encouraging, that's positive out there. We want to show people you can have faith, even in this busy, chaotic world we live in right now," he said.
Faith and reality TV have become close companions. A number of shows are based on families for whom religion is a visible part of their lives, including UP's "Bringing Up Bates," in its third season. Others focus on the clergy, among them Oxygen's "Preachers" franchise that started in Los Angeles.
"Preachers of LA" was criticized by some who said the show could foster the inaccurate idea that preachers are in it for fame and wealth.
Hollywood's fascination with pairing reality and faith has dubious roots, said Dave Johnson, a film and TV writer-producer.
"It's like the old circus, with the sideshow tent," Johnson said. "They'll use little people, they'll use Christians, they'll use tattoo people. It's a group of people (industry executives) don't really know or understand or are part of, and think they're interesting to watch."
That's fine, he added, if the show is created and produced honestly, citing "Bringing Up Bates" as an example. He had yet to see "Rich in Faith."
"If they chose someone who is genuine and true, who believes and lives that faith, then the show will reflect that faith honestly," Johnson said.
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Showing posts with label Bringing UP Bates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bringing UP Bates. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Bringing Up Bates Family Offers Unique Opportunity in TV
Gil and Kelly Jo Bates became reality television stars after they showcased their 19 children on UP's show "Bringing Up Bates." Now they want to give one fan the chance to join their family by competing in the "Be the 20th Bates for a day" challenge.
While "Bringing Up Bates" has only been on television since January, over 10,000 fans of the show have already signed up to join the competition in which one grand prize winner and a guest will receive a free trip to TN to appear on the set and film with the family.
"Viewers find the family very relatable and this gives them an easy mechanism to share their love and appreciation for the family. It's also an opportunity that's rarely provided in the entertainment space," said Richard Turner, vice president of digital media at UP, to The Christian Post.
Read full article
While "Bringing Up Bates" has only been on television since January, over 10,000 fans of the show have already signed up to join the competition in which one grand prize winner and a guest will receive a free trip to TN to appear on the set and film with the family.
"Viewers find the family very relatable and this gives them an easy mechanism to share their love and appreciation for the family. It's also an opportunity that's rarely provided in the entertainment space," said Richard Turner, vice president of digital media at UP, to The Christian Post.
Read full article
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Reality Series Bringing UP Bates Running Innovative Sweepstakes
UP's reality series Bringing UP Bates has launched an innovative social campaign. From the site:
How would you like to join the 19 kids of "Bringing Up Bates" for a fun filled day with their whole family? Who knows, you may even get to do a little bit of laundry, tie a few shoes or cook a light meal… Must be good with kids!
Use the hashtag #20thBates on Instagram or Twitter or upload a photo with the hashtag to Facebook to enter for your chance to become…the 20th Bates for a day. You & a friend could win a visit to the set and be on national TV!
Monday, April 13, 2015
Alyssa and John Of Bringing Up Bates Have A Baby Girl
Alyssa Bates Webster and her husband John welcomed a little one over the weekend and UP has a photo gallery. John's dad is an influential congressman.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Bringing Up Bates Star Debuts New Gospel Song Inspired by Mission Trip
Bringing Up Bates star Lawson Bates was inspired to write his latest song after the tragedy in the Philippines prompted a mission trip. Watch below:
http://www.breathecast.com/articles/bringing-up-bates-exclusive-debut-of-lawsons-song-on-uplifting-tv-video-breathecast-com-breathecast-24229/
http://www.breathecast.com/articles/bringing-up-bates-exclusive-debut-of-lawsons-song-on-uplifting-tv-video-breathecast-com-breathecast-24229/
Friday, January 16, 2015
UP TV Is Honored by TV Watchdog for Continuing its Family-friendly Ways
UP has been honored again by a TV watchdog group with a seal of approval as it launches a new reality series called "Bringing up Bates."
"If we give a program the [PTC] Seal of Approval it means that you can rely on the fact that there's not going to be a lot of sex, violence, or profanity on the program," says Melissa Henson of the Parents Television Council. "[It means] that it is something that you can watch with your kids in the room and you don't have to worry about being embarrassed or caught off-guard by inappropriate content."
The reality show, which debuted on UP on New Year's Day, focuses on Gil and Kelly Jo Bates, and their 19 children (ages 2 to 25).
PTC recently released a report examining every major broadcast network and every primetime show in the fall 2013 season that featured family as central to its storyline. According to that study, 99 percent of programs that claim to be about families aren't actually safe for family viewing.
"You expect that if it's about a family it's going to be something you can watch with your family," says Henson. "That's generally not the case – but fortunately it is the case with 'Bringing up Bates.'"
In an interview with The Christian Post, PTC president Tim Winter pointed out it's not the first time UP has been awarded their seal of approval.
"We have renewed our seal of approval of the UP Network every year since 2010," he said. "We continue to work with the UP Network and with other family-friendly networks to make sure our members, and the general public, are aware of their programming."
PTC believes the best way for viewers to express their concerns or complaints about TV content is to contact advertisers.
"If we give a program the [PTC] Seal of Approval it means that you can rely on the fact that there's not going to be a lot of sex, violence, or profanity on the program," says Melissa Henson of the Parents Television Council. "[It means] that it is something that you can watch with your kids in the room and you don't have to worry about being embarrassed or caught off-guard by inappropriate content."
The reality show, which debuted on UP on New Year's Day, focuses on Gil and Kelly Jo Bates, and their 19 children (ages 2 to 25).
PTC recently released a report examining every major broadcast network and every primetime show in the fall 2013 season that featured family as central to its storyline. According to that study, 99 percent of programs that claim to be about families aren't actually safe for family viewing.
"You expect that if it's about a family it's going to be something you can watch with your family," says Henson. "That's generally not the case – but fortunately it is the case with 'Bringing up Bates.'"
In an interview with The Christian Post, PTC president Tim Winter pointed out it's not the first time UP has been awarded their seal of approval.
"We have renewed our seal of approval of the UP Network every year since 2010," he said. "We continue to work with the UP Network and with other family-friendly networks to make sure our members, and the general public, are aware of their programming."
PTC believes the best way for viewers to express their concerns or complaints about TV content is to contact advertisers.
Monday, January 5, 2015
UP's Bringing Up Bates Becomes Instant Hit
UP announced today that the premiere episode of its original series “Bringing Up Bates” on January 1 was the strongest original telecast ever for the network among W18-49 and W25-541. Based on live + same day data, the series ranked #16 in the time-period among ad-supported cable networks in W25-54 and #20 in W18-492.
“I can’t think of a better way for UP to start 2015 than having viewers embrace ‘Bringing Up Bates’ and this remarkable family,” said Charley Humbard, president & CEO, UP.
Led by devoted father Gil and his loving wife Kelly Jo, the Bates do everything in bulk while staying true to their values and rules for the family. With a grand total of 19 children ranging in age from 2 to 25, they are the definition of a “big, happy family.” But lately – as viewers will see – their simple rural lifestyle in Tennessee is in a flurry of transitions and is continually challenged by the modern world.
The 13-episode UP Original Series will explore new, ever-changing family dynamics as the Bates celebrate the birth of the 1st grandchild, Bradley Gilvin Bates, with son Zach (25) and his wife Whitney; foster the courtship of Michaella (24) and Brandon Keilen by allowing him to share an extended visit with the family during the holiday season; support Erin (23) and her husband Chad Paine as they face a health issue that challenges their hope of starting a family; check in on newlywed Alyssa (20) as she finds her way in Florida with new husband, John Webster, the son of recently re-elected U.S. Representative Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) and prepare for the birth of her first child; encourage Tori (18) to bring order to the family schedule and step up to meet the challenges of child training as her parents have become more lax in their later years.
“I can’t think of a better way for UP to start 2015 than having viewers embrace ‘Bringing Up Bates’ and this remarkable family,” said Charley Humbard, president & CEO, UP.
Led by devoted father Gil and his loving wife Kelly Jo, the Bates do everything in bulk while staying true to their values and rules for the family. With a grand total of 19 children ranging in age from 2 to 25, they are the definition of a “big, happy family.” But lately – as viewers will see – their simple rural lifestyle in Tennessee is in a flurry of transitions and is continually challenged by the modern world.
The 13-episode UP Original Series will explore new, ever-changing family dynamics as the Bates celebrate the birth of the 1st grandchild, Bradley Gilvin Bates, with son Zach (25) and his wife Whitney; foster the courtship of Michaella (24) and Brandon Keilen by allowing him to share an extended visit with the family during the holiday season; support Erin (23) and her husband Chad Paine as they face a health issue that challenges their hope of starting a family; check in on newlywed Alyssa (20) as she finds her way in Florida with new husband, John Webster, the son of recently re-elected U.S. Representative Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) and prepare for the birth of her first child; encourage Tori (18) to bring order to the family schedule and step up to meet the challenges of child training as her parents have become more lax in their later years.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Bringing Up Bates Parents Appear on 700 Club
“Bringing Up Bates” is a new reality series that will premiere on UP at 9 PM/ET on New Year’s Day. The series will focus on the supersized, everyday life of this close knit, hard-working, ever-expanding Tennessee family with 19 children and their new grandchild. Gil and Kelly Jo appeared on the 700 Club to talk about the show.
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