LOS ANGELES – A group of seven pastors is suing Fox Television Network for allegedly misleading them during their participation in a reality show, "Catch a Tither By the Tail."
The program, which airs in September, features the pastors vying for the affections and attendance of a Christian man worth $100 million. But producers introduced a twist: The millionaire didn't believe in tithing. Would the winning pastor love and care for the man anyway, or would the lost opportunity for large tithe checks ruin the relationship?
"We were duped," says pastor Ron Hazeley, the lead complainant in the suit. He and the others say they were lured to participate under false pretenses. They hope to keep the program from airing.
"It's not about the money; it's about integrity," he says. "You can't lie to people just to make good television."
But producers say the pastors were happy to participate until the twist was revealed.
"They were the most agreeable bunch of neck-huggers I'd ever seen," says one producer. He says they don't want the world to witness their brutal competition.
Preview episodes depict the pastors talking behind each other's backs and playing up their own big vision to the millionaire to attract his allegiance. One pastor pulled him aside and prayed for him. Another shed tears while describing his vision for a Christian elder-care facility.
"Whenever [the millionaire] was around, they were seven of the most sensitive, caring people you could imagine," says a producer. "They fawned all over this guy, pretty much salivating on his wallet."
But producers say they caught plenty of disputes on tape as the pastors co-habited in the millionaire's beach home in Malibu for a week.
Late one night, tension erupted between a Southern Baptist pastor and a charismatic pastor in the hot tub. Producers, who are using the hostile exchange to advertise the show, say it was a "doctrinal dispute gone violent." Others say the Baptist had provoked the other pastors with repeated remarks about his church's size. The charismatic pastor finally challenged him saying "most folks on your membership rolls are dead or came from Mars in the first place." The Baptist lunged at him as if to hit him, then grabbed his head and gave him noogies and said, "I love you with the love of the Lord, brother," between clenched teeth.
When the final twist was revealed, insiders say, the winning pastor's face became ashen, and he grew hostile toward the millionaire and the crew.
"He went from 'Welcome to my church,' to 'Maybe God has a better place for you' in about 20 seconds," says a producer. "There are plenty of priceless moments."
A judge will decide Tuesday if the show may air.
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Originally Posted by LionHeart
