Exclusive: T.D Jakes On His New Talk ShowPosted by Wilson Morales
September 19, 2016
After premiering last Monday, September 12, locally on 70 markets, the new syndicated daily one-hour talk show hosted by T.D. Jakes, “T.D. JAKES,” will air today on the OWN Network.
The network will air “T.D. JAKES” Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. ET/PT. Produced by 44Blue Productions, EnLight Productions and T.D. Jakes Enterprises, the show is currently filming in Los Angeles.
Bishop T. D. Jakes also serves as senior pastor of The Potter’s House, a global humanitarian organization and 30,000-member church located in Dallas. Named “America’s Best Preacher” by Time Magazine and CNN, Jakes is the recipient of numerous humanitarian awards and his worldwide impact is also felt through high profile conference series such as MegaFest Dallas. He is also the founder the T.D. Jakes School of Leadership. His communications empire spans film, television, radio, best-selling books, including the box office hit “Heaven is for Real” and the latest # 1 New York Times Bestseller “Instinct.”
In speaking exclusively with Bishop Jakes, he talks about the format of the show and why he chose to do it.
What will the format for the show be?
Bishop T.D. Jakes: It’s going to be a very diverse talk show. We’re going to do some celebrities but by in large, it’s ordinary people. It’s going to be subject driven and subject are going to be the gambit; from family life to crisis intervention to health and wellness to politics and life. It will have a lot from different perspectives. I think it’s going to be really engaging.
When did you know you wanted to do a talk show?
Bishop T.D. Jakes: I’ve done it before in the faith based space for years, on TV in various forms, including talk shows. I did a stint on BET. I did a test tour to see if I would really like it because you imagine that you would like something and then when you get to it, you really don’t like it. I also wanted to see if the public had any interest in it. We tested it out with Tegna Media in four markets and the results were pretty strong and impressive. We decided to go further with it and we’re able to syndicate it.
Is there anything you won’t do on the show?
Bishop T.D. Jakes: I won’t do anything that conflicts with my values but I will talk to anybody about anything. I think you will see everything on the show. I just interviewed a couple where he was a Christian who converted to Judaism and she was Jewish. I have had Muslims on the show and different people from different walks of life. I have had people who were agnostic on there. This is an intersection of all of America and we’re going to have conversations, but our conversations will representatives of one perspectives, but no more than anyone who interviews people on a talk show.
How many talk shows are you taping per day?
Bishop T.D. Jakes: Right now, I’m taping three talk shows a day. The show airs five days a week.
With all the other projects that you are involved with, will you be scaling back on some of those?
Bishop T.D. Jakes: I let go of several things. I don’t travel anymore evangelizing. I didn’t accept any conferences this year. I’m just going to pastor my church and do the talk show. I’ll still dabble in the film industry, but I let a lot of things go that I enjoy doing for 40 years, but it’s time for another generation to do that. We evolve and make room for other men and women who are in the field.
Were will the show be based?
Bishop T.D. Jakes: California. I chose to do it there. I could have done it in Dallas but in order to have access the level of talent, and I don’t mean just guests, but producers, script writers and directors, there are plenty in Hollywood and not as experienced in Dallas yet. I didn’t want to compromised the quality of the show for the convenience of the host.
What time will show air?
Bishop T.D. Jakes: On OWN, it will air at 6pm, but on the local stations around the country, it will fluctuate between 2pm and 3pm in most markets. In a couple of markets, it will air around 10am. The conglomerate of local markets will have it in 50% of the country and then OWN has the over template, who has second run rights of the show and will air them in the evening. We debut Sept. 12 on local stations around the country and on Sept. 19 on OWN.
What have you learned so far that’s different from the platforms you have done before?
Bishop T.D. Jakes: It’s a business. The model is different from the traditional model of doing talk shows. Most talk shows are owned by networks not local television stations. This is a very unique model. It’s a business but it’s also an opportunity to which we can reach a broader and more diverse audience. Learning how the business works has been interesting and intriguing. I learned a long time ago not to be artistic and that you remain ambivalent to the business aspect. I’m involved in every part of it. I’m particular about my brand and with 40 years in the business, I’m careful to what I put my name on at this point in my life.
Will there be encore showings on the same day?
Bishop T.D. Jakes: Yes. That’s what OWN be showing as it’s the second run from what aired earlier in the day in the other markets. It’s OWN’s decision if they decided to air more showings on the same day like the way Dr. Phil has his show.
Can fans see the show online?
Bishop T.D. Jakes:I’m not sure if we will offer that now that we are syndicated. If they do, it will be second run shows so that I don’t compete against myself.
Is this the endgame for you if the show is successful and will take up a lot of your time?
Bishop T.D. Jakes:That’s a great question. I see this as a part of the family of the entertainment company that we own. I don’t see the talk show as the endgame above the films. I will continue to do films. We want to continue to be in the entertainment space. We have been for a number of years.
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