Sundance Channel has given the green-light to 'One Punk, Under God,' an original six-part observational documentary series on the alternative Christian minister Jay Bakker. Produced by World of Wonder, the series takes a behind-the-scenes look at the life of Bakker as he faces the professional, emotional and financial struggles of running his Revolution church in Atlanta, Georgia. The announcement was made today by Laura Michalchyshyn, Executive Vice President, Programming & Marketing, Sundance Channel. The series will debut on Sundance Channel in December 2006.
Jay Bakker, the only son of former Praise The Lord leaders, Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Messner, a tattooed and pierced preacher, is not necessarily the image of an American evangelist. His resolutely maverick stance and open tolerance for alternative lifestyle choices irritate traditional religious leaders and make keeping his Church afloat challenging. But by fusing together punk and Christian values to create a non-denominational and inclusive parish, he is working to show the world just how hip and welcoming today's churches can be.
'In the hands of World of Wonder, this series on Jay Bakker and his church -- with a focus on his alternative approach to the ministry and open questioning of what it means to be Christian -- will make for provocative programming that will engage and entertain the current Sundance Channel audience while potentially bringing in new viewers,' commented Michalchyshyn.
World of Wonder principals Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey said 'since we first met Jay eight years ago while filming The Eyes of Tammy Faye we have wanted to make a film about him. Thanks to the Sundance Channel's bold vision and commitment to documentary filmmaking, and thanks also to the talents of Jeremy Simmons and Thairin Smothers we now have that opportunity.'
The director and supervising producer of 'One Punk, Under God' is Jeremy Simmons, whose credits include the television documentaries Sundance Channel's 'TransGeneration' (produced in association with LOGO) and MTV's 'School's Out: The Life of a Gay High School in Texas' (both GLAAD Award nominees for Outstanding Documentary) and AMC's 'Gay Hollywood.' 'One Punk, Under God' is produced by Thairin Smothers and executive produced by award-winning filmmakers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, founders of film and television production company World of Wonder. As directors/producers, their credits include the documentaries Inside Deep Throat, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, and Party Monster: The Michael Alig Story , as well as the 2003 drama Party Monster. Executive producers for Sundance Channel are Laura Michalchyshyn and Lynne Kirby. Ann Rose is the supervising producer.
Based in both Los Angeles and London, World of Wonder most recently produced 'TransGeneration' for Sundance Channel in association with LOGO. The company is best known for award-winning films and documentaries such as The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Party Monster (both Sundance Film Festival favorites) 'Monica in Black and White' (HBO) and 'The Hidden Fuhrer' (Cinemax). World of Wonder has a long and distinguished track record making sensitive and engaging films about sex and sexuality from 'Gay Hollywood' (AMC) to 'Schools Out' (MTV) to 'Plushies and Furries' (MTV). Most recently World of Wonder have created and produced the hit series 'Show Biz Moms and Dads' and the popular sequel 'Show Dog Moms & Dads' for Bravo. World of Wonder has also produced and created numerous documentaries and non-fiction programs for Court TV, VH1, MTV and A&E, as well as BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5 and ITV in the UK. World of Wonder also publishes a daily blog The Wow Report at http://www.worldofwonder.net with half a million unique visitors per month.
