'Absurd Religion' Show Picks Up 4 Emmy Nominations
A Christian comedy TV show that features "Saturday Night Live style of humor" has reeled in four Emmy award nominations this year in two categories – "Religion" and the highly competitive "Human Interest" category.
"The Steve & Kathy Show," which begins its third season Sept. 14, received nominations for three humorous skits entered in the category of "Religion" – "Real Preachers of Genius: Mega Church Pastor," modeled after the Super Bowl commercial of a similar name; "Cheaters: Church Edition" and "Church of the Week: Smoker's Church." Nominated in the category of "Human Interest" was "Inspiring Story - Autumn D.," the personal account of a young woman devastated by a dark secret that left her suicidal, but who found hope through a powerful encounter with God.
"This is great news for Christian programming," commented Steve Gray, co-host, creator and executive producer of The Steve & Kathy Show, in an official announcement. "We have created a show that pushes the boundaries of traditional Christian television while offering people a religion that works. I am excited for everything this means."
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Airing in Kansas City on KCWE Channel Sunday mornings, as well as on 12 stations in 16 major cities across the nation and on Sky Angel 2 and Direct TV Channel 376, "The Steve & Kathy Show" uses humor "in a fun and innovative way" to reach those disheartened by "absurd religion."
The award-winning TV show features a late-night format with original skits, jazz music, and real-life stories of dramatic encounters with God. It also ends with a traditional presentation of the Word of God to introduce audiences to the truth of the Gospel.
The creator of the Kansas City-based show, Steve Gray, is senior pastor of World Revival Church of Kansas City and has distinguished himself early in his short career in television, capturing 29 Telly Awards in the first season and raking in 19 additional awards the following year.
Gray writes most of the copy for "The Steve & Kathy Show" and has assembled a team of "homegrown" producers, directors, and camera men. Production of the show is a community effort involving over 100 cast and crew, many of whom are volunteers.
"We wanted to produce something that was top quality through the equipment, cameras, stage, the band, and everything you need to produce a great show," Gray stated to the press last year.
"The show is unique," he added. "Though we use humor and satire, there is a purpose. We are exposing the absurdities of religion while bringing hope to the very ones who have been excluded by it."
Earlier this year, "The Steve & Kathy Show" came across some controversy over its "Sexy God" video, which led to Gray's ban from GodTube.com, the highly popular Christian alternative to YouTube.com. It has since increased its presence on YouTube, "expos[ing] the hypocrisies of Christianity and offer[ing] a solution for the crisis Gray sees in American Christianity," according to the show's promoters.
"Not for the religiously inclined, these spoofs help the American public see through the gimmicks of religion and consider a better way to do church," they explained in a press release.
As of Friday, "The Steve & Kathy Show" has posted 34 videos on YouTube, the latest being a promotional video for its season premier this coming Sunday.
Its two most viewed videos are "Cheech & Chong at the drive thru" and "Real Preachers of Genius: Seeker-Sensitive Megachurch Guy," both of which have tallied over 40,000 views.
On the Web:
The Steve & Kathy Show clips on YouTube.com
The Steve & Kathy Show website at steveandkathygray.com.
