V.Rose and Flame Appear In TLC's Jill & Jessa: Counting On

V.Rose can be seen in this week's episode of TLC's Jill & Jessa: Counting On as the cameras follow Ben & Jessa, along with their son Spurgeon, on a trip to St. Louis. The episode premiered Tuesday on TLC.

V. Rose is featured with friends Flame and Mike Real as they are in the recording studio. The cameras capture the dynamic between the artists as they write the new song, "Don't Fear" from Flame & Mike Real's upcoming project.

Is 'Bachelor' Star Ben Higgins' Christian Faith Being Downplayed on Hit Reality Series?

Even though this season's star of ABC's popular reality series has conveyed his Christian beliefs in his private life, on social media and even in a blog for People magazine, one fan contends the show is concealing his faith.

"Athough you would never know it if you consume 'The Bachelor' only through the show itself, he [Higgins] seems to be an evangelical Christian," writes one Slate blog contributor. "On the show itself, spirituality gets only the most fleeting, veiled references and dog whistles."

If the portrayal of Higgins' Christian faith is in fact minimized on "The Bachelor," perhaps it is because there is no need to emphasize what has already been made obvious by the star.

Higgins previously talked to People about how his personal boundaries on the show are influenced by his faith, and about the infamous Fantasy Suite where couples go to get one-on-one time.


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Troy Dunn Reunites a Family Live on Facebook

Troy Dunn, star of UP's hit series Last Hope with Troy Dunn, made internet history by reuniting a family live on Facebook Live tonight,

Watch the moment below, it happens 31 minutes in:

Troy Dunn LIVE!! Sept. 24th!!

Posted by Troy the Locator on Thursday, September 24, 2015

The Willis Family Sings Its Way Into Another Season

TLC has started production on a new season of The Willis Family. The network ordered eight new episodes that will follow the Christian family at home and on the road. The first season averaged 1.4M viewers, and showcased Brenda and Toby Willis and their twelve children as they shared their talents around the country. From singing and dancing to acting and painting and everything in between, the family believes in inspiring others through their art. The new season is slated to premiere in early 2016.

In the new season, viewers will get a deeper look into the family’s life off the tour bus. From birthday celebrations and kids learning to drive, life at home in Nashville is a welcome change of pace from the rigors of being on the road. Being at home, though, isn’t without its hardships. After months of being away, they come home to a shocking surprise, and with homeschooling, scheduling, and extracurricular activities, things around the house are busy to say the least. While the viewers will get a closer look into their lives at home, the family will still be performing at shows of all kind.

Read about their tragic past.

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.


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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!  

'Real Housewives of Orange County' Star Tamra Judge Denies Faking Baptism for Reality TV

Two weeks after being accused of faking her Christian conversion to secure her spot on the reality TV show "Real Housewives of Orange County," star Tamra Judge has hit back at her critics insisting that her conversion is genuine and that it has completely changed her life.

"What's so funny is there's so many fake stories that go out there in the press," Judge, who accepted Christ as her savior roughly one month ago, told The Christian Post in a recent phone interview. "I think in the past six months I've felt like a new person, but it's just one of those things where I wanted to make it right with the Lord and I knew the journey I was on. I'm not saying like, I'm perfect and I'm not saying I'm at church every single Sunday. I try to go every Sunday, I'm joining a Bible study … as you know, your mindset changes [after being baptized]."

Judge's emotional baptism will air on the hit Bravo TV show that's in its 10th season in coming months as part of the season finale. Her life-changing decision to be born again came during what she said was a very difficult time in her life, after a woman at her Cut Fitness gym invited her to go to church.

"I was never baptized as a kid, and I was never brought up in church and I haven't raised my kids in the church, it was something that was very foreign to me," she shared. "When I was going through everything I was going through, I was at work one day and this woman came up to me at my studio — she goes 'would you like to go to church with me?' and I said 'yes.'"

She continued: "So I took my kids to church and [my husband] Eddie went with me and my life just kind of changed, it was very powerful. And I think that with religion and accepting the Lord into your life and your heart, it's a personal journey."

The series follows six Orange County women, whose pampered lifestyles and endless bickering captivates viewers every year. [2.7 million during its peak last season]

During season nine, the 44-year-old mother of four, who's just days away from celebrating her second wedding anniversary to her husband, Eddie, was cast by viewers as the show's villain due to her frequent clashes with castmates. The Bravo TV star says she's confident that all is set to change this season.

"I think that you will see me think twice about a lot of things that I do and kind of saying 'what would God do?'" said Judge.

During season eight, Judge, made famous the term "Jesus Jugs" after screaming it at her former co-star, Alexis Bellino, a devout Christian and married mom of three, during a heated exchange. The born-again Christian said that she now understands why the term was so offensive and that she has since apologized to Bellino.

"Oh definitely," Judge said in response to whether she regrets hurling the insult. "I think for me, I just didn't know what a Christian was. When you think of someone being a Christian you think they don't do anything wrong. They're not sinners, they don't get boob jobs, whatever … and she was the epitome of Orange County in my mind, and I think I just didn't know. It was pure ignorance."

UP Greenlights ‘Last Hope With Troy Dunn’ Series

UP has announced its latest series — and it certainly fits its 'Feel Good TV' positioning. Casting is underway for working-titled Last Hope With Troy Dunn, in which author and motivational speaker Dunn tracks down lost loved ones and facilitates reunions. The series will launch in the fall. Meanwhile, the network also has acquired all 44 episodes of Dunn’s reality series The Locator, which it will bow on June 1.

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.

Deanna Johnson Sings Hymn on The Voice

Deanna Johnson lays it all on the line in the 'Live Playoffs' on The Voice, singing the traditional song, "Down to the River to Pray."

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/

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.

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.

Pastor Has 8 minutes to Convince Prostitutes to Quit in New Reality Show

A&E has greenlit a provocative new reality series in which a man tries to convince prostitutes to quit their jobs. EW has learned that the network has ordered eight episodes of 8 Minutes (working title), a series featuring cop-turned-pastor Kevin Brown surprising escorts in hotel rooms and offering to rescue them from a life of trading sex for cash. In each episode, Brown has eight minutes to make his case.

Executive producer Tom Forman (Extreme Makeover: Home Edition) says the show was inspired by a 2013 LA Times article about Brown, an Orange County vice cop turned pastor who teamed with his church to create an undercover prostitute intervention operation.

“This is one of those great shows that was actually happening whether anybody was shooting it or not,” Forman said. “Brown told his congregation that for 20 years he’s had to arrest these women when what he’s really wanted to do is help them. It launched a drive within his church to run these undercover operations. We read that and thought somebody should put a camera on this, it’s the most incredible thing I've ever heard.”

Entertainment Weekly: So Brown is out there doing this in real life. This isn’t just for the show.
He’s a cop in Orange County who retired a couple years ago, then devoted himself full time to his church. So he was a full-time cop turned full-time pastor. As a cop, he worked vice. He saw girls who had no place else to go, who had been abused by their pimps, girls who really needed a helping hand, and what he had to do as a cop is arrest them. Now that he’s running a church, he can offer them that help. That’s what he was doing well before we called him. I like a little reality in my reality shows.

Entertainment Weekly: What’s the reaction when the women are presented with this surprise?
It has varied. Women have burst into tears and said, “I've been waiting for someone to offer me a path out.” And you have women who say, “I’m doing what I’m doing and I’m not doing anything else,” and they decline. No one has been angry. No one has resented him for being offered an opportunity to leave a life that’s so hard, and so violent and so dangerous.

Entertainment Weekly: Why set an eight-minute time limit?
Kevin has got a lot of safety protocols. He’s a cop and knows just how dangerous these rescues can be. Before he goes in and does one of these operations, he surveys the scene, he puts his church members in prime locations so they can observe, they have cops on speed dial. And one of his other rules is they would only have eight minutes to talk to any individual girl. In his experience, she’s got eight minutes in which she could return to her pimp and say, “I got a bad feeling about that guy, he backed out, I thought he was a cop,” without having the pimp come looking for her, which could create a dangerous situation for Kevin and his team. So for her safety and theirs, it’s a self-imposed hard deadline. They've got eight minutes to talk her out of prostitution. If she says yes, that’s great. If after eight minutes she hasn't, they give her a phone number and tell her they’ll always be there, but they cut off the intervention.

Entertainment Weekly: What’s his success rate?
It’s about 50-50. But the ones where he succeeds, we follow them out of the rescue and see the girls subsequently get back on their feet and see the good he’s doing. Sometimes they turn and leave, but that’s the case when trying to save prostitutes. If she says yes, they’re sneaking her out the back of that hotel into to a van and off to a safe house. If an angry pimp is coming to look for her, they want to make sure he can’t find her. They’re also getting her out of the city, if not out of the state. They’re putting her first in a rehab program if she needs one, and then a halfway house teaching her life skills, helping her get a job and rebuilding her life. It’s a pretty big decision and a fairly intensive program if you choose to take him up on his offer.

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'American Bible Challenge' Up, 'It Takes a Church' Down

American Bible Challenge from Thursday night (6/12)  had 536,000 total viewers, up four percent from last week's 512,000 viewers.

It Takes a Church from Thursday night (6/12) had 385,000 total viewers, down eight percent from its series premiere which had 417,000 viewers.

‘Duck Dynasty’ Season 6 Premiere Ratings Off Significantly

Season 6 of the A&E reality hit premiered Wednesday night, drawing significantly fewer viewers than the Season 5 premiere in January.However, the show still remains the number one cable show on Wednesday night.

Wednesday's “Duck Dynasty” premiere drew 4.6 million total viewers — nearly 4 million less than the 8.5 million who tuned in for the Season 5 premiere.

The slide continues a sharp downward trajectory for the show. The 8.5 million who tuned in for the Season 5 premiere was itself a dramatic drop from the 11.8 million total viewers who tuned in for the Season 4 premiere in August 2013. Granted, the Season 4 premiere set a record for the series, but still — those are pretty big back-to-back declines.

Wednesday night's numbers are also a drop from the Season 5 finale in March, which had 6 million total viewers.

Wednesday night's premiere featured a special guest appearance by Louisiana Gov .Bobby Jindal, who awarded Willie Robertson the inaugural Governor's Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence for his success in making the Duck Commander family business a multi-million dollar company.

"It was really neat to have the governor on our show," Willie Robertson told The Daily Advertiser. "His family loves watching the show, and they all came up to West Monroe to participate."

Jindal's guest appearance evidently did not do much to help the show salvage its declining ratings. Although many media outlets are blaming the drop in ratings over controversial statements Phil Robertson made to GQ Magazine last December, others argue that "Duck Dynasty" is simply following the usual, short lifespan of docusoaps.

"Critics and ratings-gazers will be quick to attribute Duck Dynasty's fall from grace to any number of factors -- one of them obviously being star Phil Robertson's controversial persona in the wake of anti-gay comments made in a GQ profile -- but the fact of the matter remains that docusoaps have a short lifespan. And A&E has already milked more out of Duck Dynasty than anybody could have imagined," wrote Michael O'Connor for The Hollywood Reporter.

Tamela and David Mann To Star in New Reality Series on BET

You've met the Browns, now meet the Manns. Grammy-Award Nominated Tamela Mann and husband David Mann will be the focus on "Meet The Manns" to launch on BET in 2015. Currently in production, "Meet The Manns" follows the lives of the Texas-based power couple and their family as they juggle their successful entertainment careers, marriage and adventures with the family.

Tamela and David shared "We'll take America behind the scenes of our day-to-day life, living out all our dreams as a family, at home and on the road. Of course, with 5 Mann kids, 8 grandkids, and extended relatives nearby, even the most ordinary family activities bring unexpected, outrageous results. There'll also be some news and reveals we're saving to share on the show - you'll have to tune in to find out what's in store."

Kirk Franklin Expresses Disappointment in 'Preachers of LA' Amid Suggestion Reality Show Turned People Away From God

Gospel singer Kirk Franklin, who declared months ago that fans would never see him on "Preachers of L.A.," stated during a recent radio interview that he was disappointed in the reality show, while a radio host D.L. Hughley suggested the Oxygen program has turned people away from God.

Franklin, asked during an appearance on "The D.L. Hughley Show" this week if he would appear on "Preachers of L.A.," revealed that he was not a fan of the show which gives an inside look at the ministries and personal lives of its leading men.

In a trivia segment of his radio program called "This or That," actor/comedian D.L. Hughley asked Franklin if he would "rather star in the next season of ("Preachers of L.A.") or have your beautiful wife, Tammy (Collins), star in the 'Real Housewives of Atlanta?'"

After Franklin declined to choose either one of the reality show options, Hughley went on to give his take of "Preachers of L.A.," which was renewed earlier this year for a second season.

"I lived in L.A. my whole life, and to me, I thought the purpose of that show was to drag nonbelievers, people who don't have access to God and don't have relationship with Him, that it would be so attractive that it would draw them to Him," said Hughley. "I think it's done the opposite."

Franklin responded by stating that there were people on "Preachers of L.A." whom he considers friends and whom he respects, but rejected the program. "I'm very disappointed in that show," he told Hughley.

The award-winning gospel artist and "American Bible Challenge" co-host previously had hinted at his feelings toward the faith-based reality show during a December 2013 concert in Detroit, Mich., when he told fans, "You'll never see your boy on real 'Preachers of L.A.'"

The Oxygen network reality show was controversial even before it aired, with some Christians debating whether the program would harm or help the faith community, while others called for a boycott. One of the major points of consternation for critics was the portrayal of the apparent flashy lifestyles of the ministers involved in the program.

Despite the controversy, "Preachers of L.A." was a major hit for Oxygen, averaging more than one million total viewers during its eight-episode run that started in Oct. 2013. In addition to being renewed by Oxygen Media for a second season, "Preachers of L.A." could have potential spin-off series for major cities like New York, Dallas, Atlanta and Detroit.

HGTV Pulls Upcoming Show Over Its Hosts' Beliefs

A recently green-lit reality series has been canceled by HGTV before its fall 2014 premiere after controversy erupted surrounding its hosts’ Christian viewpoints on issues like gay marriage and abortion.

Twin brothers Jason and David Benham were scheduled to appear on “Flip It Forward,” a renovation show that was set to feature them helping families make improvements to their homes.

But when some left-leaning media outlets began digging into their backgrounds and personal perspectives, everything changed.

HGTV quickly responded to media coverage earlier this week surrounding the Benham brothers’ views against gay marriage and abortion, among other issues, by first announcing a review of their arrangement with the brothers and then, within just a few days, axing the show altogether.

This information apparently led HGTV to cut ties with the brothers.

“HGTV is currently in process of reviewing all information about the Benhams and we will provide an update as soon as possible,” the network wrote on its Facebook page Tuesday evening after apparently learning about the controversy.

By Thursday the network had decided to completely cancel their arrangement with the Benhams, writing, “HGTV has decided not to move forward with the Benham Brothers’ series.”

According to an official description of “Flip It Forward,” the brothers, both fathers and real estate entrepreneurs, were set to put their sibling rivalry on display while they helped families transform fixer-upper homes.

Noting that his family didn’t try to hide their views from HGTV, Flip said that all parties knew controversy could end up erupting.

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Candace Cameron Bure Says Her Life Revolves Around Christ, Gets Cheers From Dancing With the Stars Audience

Candace Cameron Bure has continued to make it known that she won't be donning skimpy outfits on Season 18 of Dancing With the Stars. On Monday, the Full House alum received huge support from the audience when she once again spoke about her values and Christian faith during her pre-taped rehearsal footage.

"I'm a Christian. My life revolves around my relationship with Jesus Christ," Bure, 37, said before dancing the rumba with partner Mark Ballas. "So with the overall tone of the dance and the costumes I'm not going to take a backseat. My voice will definitely be heard."

When Bure mentioned her faith, "the entire crowd in the ballroom cheered and clapped really loudly," an onlooker told Us Weekly. She also had several family members attending the live show.

In the ABC clip, Bure and Ballas, 27, also discussed with the show's costume designers what vision they had for their dance. However, when Ballas said he would like to go shirtless, Bure quickly jumped in.

"Not without my permission! No, I have to think about that," she said. "This rumba is not a sexual dance," she added in her one-on-one. After Cameron Bure nixes Ballas' plans to go shirtless, he replies, "You're worse than Bristol Palin. And she was bad."

"This rumba is not a sexual dance," Cameron Bure justifies. "It's a sensual emotional dance. Sensual is more sexy than raunchy sexy, so I think this is going to be a beautiful dance," she said of the rumba, which the duo performed to tune of "Say Something."

After last week's season premiere, Bure opened up to US Magazine about her modest wardrobe choices. "I won't be the sexiest one out there. I am a mom and I want to be a good role model for my children and my husband," she told Us at the time. "I think for each dance we'll wear what reflects the dance but in the most classy way possible."

Candace Cameron Bure hasn't been shy in the past when opening up about her 'submissive' role in her marriage, so how does the former Full House star justify shaking her stuff on a sexy show like Dancing With the Stars?

"You know, I feel like a sexual woman...I've been married for 18 years," the mother of three responded when host Erin Andrews asked the star how she balances her religious beliefs while performing a sexy dance. "I am a sexual woman. But, you know, I want to reserve certain things for my husband. So we did, I think, the best that we could with the rumba that I still felt comfortable doing."

"I'm a Christian. My life revolves around my relationship with Jesus Christ, so with the overall tone of the dance or the costumes, I'm not going to take a backseat. My voice will definitely be heard," the conservative star says in the clip.