Ted Haggard Scores Reality Special on TLC
Sarah Palin and Kate Gosselin, meet your new neighbor. Disgraced evangelist Ted Haggard, who lost his mega-church empire following a male prostitute and crystal meth-fueled scandal, has scored a one-hour reality special on TLC.
Aptly titled 'Ted Haggard: Scandalous,' the show will presumably show how the pastor and his family rebuilt their lives since his epic fall in late 2006. It will also serve as a bit of a public relations device and document his announcement of a new ministry in Colorado Springs, Colo. The special airs Jan. 16.
"My family and I endured the darkest hours imaginable in the public spotlight, and have spent the last four years fighting and struggling to rebuild our lives, our faith and our family," says Haggard in a statement to
Entertainment Weekly.
The preacher, known as Pastor Ted to his followers, was the leader of the 30-million strong National Association of Evangelicals and head of the New Life Church in Colorado Springs when a male prostitute-masseur named Mike Jones alleged that Haggard had paid him for sex as well as crystal meth.
The pastor quit his post at the NAE and eventually left New Life. Since then, he's been getting therapy and has called himself a "heterosexual with issues." He remains married, and he and his wife Gayle have five children.
Haggard tells EW that he hopes "showing the world the new chapter of our lives will hopefully inspire others to find their own path to overcome their struggles and embrace the power of acceptance."
He says that if he can be redeemed, then anyone can. "The church is open to all, even those who have committed the darkest sins."
'Ted Haggard: Scandalous' is being produced by RelativityReal, makers of 'Broke & Famous' and 'Find My Family.' If successful, it could lead to more episodes down the road. (Dare we suggest a camping trip with TLC-mate Palin?)
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I think it is wonderful that we have so many people who are perfect. I was really worried that there was only ONE sinless person that ever walked the earth! What a releif. I am so thankful that Jesus Christ does not feel the way you all do.
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Dear Mr Haggard and Family, I just wanted you to know you guys are the greatest, I used to walk in so much in religious crap I would have been one of those people that would have said 'thats of the devil'. When I watched your show on I think it was TLC I had a very bad cold because if I hadnt felt so bad I wanted to jump up and down for you guys, you guys are what the body of Christ should do. I called my sister the next morning to talked to her about the show she will be moving to Colorado and I told her about the barn in your back yard she said she would visit I said back to her I wish I could I rather go to a church thats real with 50 people then go to one with 15,000 that stabs you in the back I wish you guys the best and your childern also..Tracy form Wilmington NC...
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Its obvious that most people on here don't have a clue about the forgiveness and grace of God.
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People like Haggard and Larry Craig give homosexuals a bad name! If they would just keep their mouths shut (no pun intended). Just admit you like d*** and quit living a lie. They rale against the homosexual lifestyle and yet . . . . And the meth. Am I missing something? Does he "involve" it to enhance the acts or does he bring it into the equation so that IF and WHEN he gets caught, he can BLAME the drugs and garner more favor for his actions and "weaknesses". Oh, puh-leeze. What a total hypocrite. I'm not Miss Morality by any stretch, but for "heaven's sake" just own up to your cravings and acts and quit blaming someone or something else and stop with the condemnation of those who are brave enough to claim who they are.
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