The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021) - full transcript

Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker

were the most famous
televangelist couple in America,

and, by far, the most prosperous.

Ken and Barbie
of televangelism.

And they seemed honest.

They brought encouragement
and hope to lots of people.

He's the president

of a multi-million dollar
religious organization

called the Praise The Lord Club.

PTL also
operates Heritage Village

in Fort Mill, South Carolina.



...Christian Disney World

where PTL members
can vacation with inspiration.

They are among the best-known figures

in the world of television evangelism.

But tonight they are out of business.

...following the scandal that led

to founder Jim Bakker's
resignation last week.

There's debate about
how much the Bakker scandal will hurt

all the television ministries
and quiet concern...

Modern warfare among the TV preachers.

In this electronic age,
the stakes are high

- with millions of followers...
- ...and recriminations.

And caught up in the fighting

are their fellow evangelists
Jimmy Swaggart,



Oral Roberts, Jerry Falwell.

Now, about what some people around here

are calling "pearly-gate."

Pearly-gate is the story
of Jim and Tammy Bakker.

It's remarkably like Watergate,

which tainted the name "politician,"

and such an episode is bound
to taint the name "preacher."

The Bakkers
couldn't even get out of their car.

There were so many people
waiting to see them

after three months of seclusion.

...busloads of tourists,

hoping to get a glimpse
of the elusive evangelists,

but they had no better luck
than the waiting newspeople.

Okay, I'm gonna start
by taking some of this off.

Okay.

Gonna take your foundation off.

M'kay.

And then we'll start fresh.

Can you take your lips off?

- Okay.
- Do you want a little remover?

Oh, no. That's it.

That'll be all.
They're permanently lined.

Oh.

And my eyes are permanently lined

and my eyebrows are permanently on,

so there's not a whole lot
you can do.

My goodness,

- I... I didn't know.
- Mm.

Have you never done pictures
without those eyelashes?

Nope, and I never will

because that's my trademark.

And, you know, if I take that away,
then it's not me,

and no one's gonna wanna look
at me without my trademark.

So, I hold onto that.

Even if we softened 'em up and kept...

No. No, you can do anything you want,

but my eyelashes stay
right where they are.

That's really you.

Mm.

Oh, yeah, this is who I am.

I didn't know
what the words "glory" or "hallelujah" be

because the devil is all around us!

Oh, yes, he is!

And it's up to you to resist
his temptations. Hallelujah!

If you're not saved by Jesus,

you open yourself up to demons

and the devil will make a home in you!

Glory to God!

When God spoke peace to my heart,

I didn't know how to say glory
or hallelujah,

but I got saved!

I leapt upon that altar.

Jesus told me He loved me,

and He will love you.

He speaks through her.
Say, "Hallelujah!"

Hallelujah!

She is with
the Holy Spirit right now!

Feel the spirit! Say, "Glory.

"Glory to God."

Glory to God!

You too, sister!
Feel the spirit.

Raise your hands up, folks.

I was here.

Here the whole time.

Little girls go to Hell for lying.

Honest and true.

I wanna be saved.

If you let me come in with you,

God'd love me like He's supposed to.

There's reasons
you can't be seen in church, Tam.

Grown-up reasons.

Is it because everyone thinks
you're a harlot?

And I come from a time

before Fred made you
respectable and stuff.

Only reason they let me back

is 'cause nobody but me
can play the piano.

But you remind them I was divorced.

They see you,

all of us is going to be banished.

The souls of all your brothers and sisters

burning in Hell because you don't listen

and you can't sit still.

Stop performing.

You're going to Hell, Tammy.

You don't belong here.
You don't belong anywhere.

You're ugly.

You've got a demon inside you.

But I don't wanna go to Hell.

If they loved you,

they wouldn't leave you here.

They love me.

They love you not.

Jesus, come into my heart

and forgive me my sins.

I don't know what this is
everybody's getting,

but if it's real,

then, please, Jesus, give that to me.

Amen!

Be strong in the Lord
and His mighty power.

Put on the armor of God

so that you can take your stand

against the devil's schemes.

For our struggle isn't
against flesh and blood,

but against the powers
of this dark world!

Casting down imaginations

on every high thing that exalts itself.

- Do you feel love?
- Yes.

You feel it, sister!
I know you feel it!

You too, brother?

If you feel the love,

- say, "Hallelujah!"
- Hallelujah!

- Say, "Glory to God!"
- Glory to God!

Accept the blood!

Feel love forever!

Hallelujah!

Praise the Lord!

Are you ready to accept the love?

Yes.

Tammy Faye!

I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry.

No, Tammy!

Tammy, get up.

He is with us!

She's peeing herself! Praise God!

Yes!

- Tammy, I said get up.
- Shush now.

This baby is a miracle.
Don't you take her from us.

Mr. Bakker?

Yes, sir?

Thank you.

Um, sorry.

I would like to start with a verse.

"Beloved, I wish above all things
that thou mayest prosper

"and be in health,
even as thy soul prospereth."

That is John 3, verse 2,

and it's written right here
in the good book.

He gave me this verse last night.

God, He came right down
and He whispered it in my ear.

He said, "Jim Bakker,

"I intend for you to thrive,

"to live, and to love

"in this life."

He said it to me.

But us Christians,

we've been taught
that we're supposed to

expect failure.

When Jesus calls you home,

you think you're going to get a bonus

if you make yourself miserable?

You think if you deny yourself
indoor plumbing,

or if you don't have shoes

on your feet...

I'm... I'm sorry.

Go ahead.

You know, Heaven,

Heaven is heaven, that is for sure.

But God's hope for us

is that we live and we thrive
and we love here

in the promised land.

Here and now.

Here and now,
and in this very, very moment.

Hallelujah!

God does not want us to be poor!

Oh, no!

He will gift the faithful
with eternal life,

eternal love, and eternal wealth!

Hallelujah! Praise God!
Praise Him!

Be right to remember,

"Blessed be the poor," Mr. Bakker.

Doesn't sound very blessed to me.

You two are here to learn the ways
of the Lord through scripture, yeah?

Yes, sir.

And to spread the word of God.

Oh, yeah. You know,

I'm gonna sing the word in every tent,
in every church.

You know, God told me that
that's what He wants for me.

With makeup on your face?

Ahem. Jezebel.

"I do my best to maintain always

"a blameless conscience,

"both before God and before men."

"A man who keeps company with harlots

"wastes his wealth."

Proverbs 29:3.

"Your stature is like that of a palm
and your breasts

"like clusters of fruit.

"I will take hold of the palm tree."

"And I will take hold of the fruit."

That's the Song of Solomon.

7:7.

I'm sorry I couldn't
drive you someplace nice.

Oh, this is someplace nice, Jim.

Tell me something. Tell me a secret.

Something that no one else knows about.

Oh, I have no secrets.

I'll tell you anything you wanna know.

We'll start with everything.

Okay.

I'm the oldest of eight children

and I'm a very practical person.

And what you see is all there is of me.

You know, I don't pretend
to be something I'm not

because what you see is all you get.

And I love people.

I have a genuine,
genuine love for people.

And I hurt when people hurt,

and probably a little more dramatic
than people would like me to be.

But I enjoy that.
That's just who I am.

I've never met anyone quite like you,
Tammy Faye.

Okay.

So, um, do you have any secrets, Jim?

Well, one or two.

Well, tell me.

Well, before God found me,
I wanted to be a radio deejay.

- No.
- Yes.

I used to love to make people dance.

Have fun.

Little Richard.

And Buddy Holly and...

Oh, and Fats Domino.

What happened?
Why didn't you do it, Jim?

Ah.

Never mind that.

Tell me.

Um, I don't think...

Well, all right.
I'll tell you, Tammy. Um...

Two years ago,
I was on a date

with my girlfriend, Sandy, and...

- Mm.
- Oh, no,

with my girlfriend at the time.

- Mm.
- But, anyhoo,

I borrowed my daddy's car
to take her out,

and there was all this snow
on the ground

and Fats was singing Blueberry Hill

so loud

and I... I was having these urges

that only the devil would approve of

and I lost control of the car.

And I ran over a little boy,

little Jimmy Summerfield.

I ruptured Jimmy Summerfield's lung...

...with my daddy's tire.

I didn't sleep all night.

I was just up worried sick
about that boy dying.

So, I...

I made a bargain with God.

I said to Him,

"I will forsake my dream
of being a deejay.

"I will stop peddling in rock and roll

"and I'll dedicate my life
to Him and Him alone.

"If He sees fit to save that boy's life,

"He will win two souls
right then and there."

And what happened to Jimmy Summerfield?

He lived.

- Oh.
- Yes.

- Praise be to God.
- Yes, praise Him.

So...

You still like me?

Oh, sure, I do, Jim.

Oh, even more now that
you were honest with me.

I'll tell ya, I do miss dancing.

I found my thrill

On Blueberry Hill

I found my thrill

When I found you

You're so loud.

Dance with me, Jim.

Here? No, I can't.

In front of all these people?
Like, no...

Please?

The moon stood still

On Blueberry Hill

And lingered until

My dreams came true

Oh, we can't.

I know.

- We can't.
- I know.

Oh. Oh, we can't.

I know.

Yeah!

What'd you do?

Hello, Mother.
This is Jim Bakker,

my husband.

Hello, Mother.

Oh, it's such a blessing
to finally meet you.

No.

No, Mother, we can't go back to school.

They have a rule against
students marrying one another.

Did you know they had that rule
when you did this?

If I know the two of you,
you're just gonna love Jim.

Oh, he's so motivated.

He has so many big ideas.

Did you know?

Well, you can educate yourself
right out of a relationship with God.

He has a plan for us.

- God or that Jim boy?
- God.

What'd He tell ya to do this time?

Come spring, me and Jim
are going to be traveling preachers,

bringing God's love to all people.

Anyone who's hurting
or they feel like they've been left out.

Jim will preach and I'll sing.

And we'll be like
Oral Roberts and his wife.

Oral Roberts went to college.

He has one named for him.

God said that we're supposed
to have a good life.

That way, we can help
bring his love to all people.

There's a limit to God's love,
Tammy Faye.

No.

No, there's no limit to God's love,
Mrs. Grover,

and there's no limit
to Tammy Faye and I either.

We're soldiers in Christ.

We've been called to serve
in a very real way.

God smiles on a husband and wife.

"As a young man marries a young woman,

"so will your Builder marry you;

"as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride,

"so will your God rejoice in you."

Isaiah 62:5.

It's something we do.

Fred said that we could stay
until the weather changes.

Got some bubbles at the swap meet.

I'm sorry, Tam.

I feel like I'm letting you down.

She doesn't like me.

- No, Jim.
- No, she doesn't.

Of course she likes you.

Oh.

It makes Tammy sad
to see you so sad.

How's there supposed to be bubbles

if there isn't enough water
to work up the bubbles?

Oh, I can work up the bubbles, Jim.

All I gotta do is dunk my hand.

And I swirl...

And swirl.

Am I doing that all right?

Uh-huh.

Well, hello there, Tammy Faye.

Hello, Mommy.

What are you doing with those things?

Well, we're gonna use these
puppets as part of our sermon

and show the kids how wonderful God is.

And if we can get enough children to come,

they'll bring their mothers
and their fathers.

And before you know it,
we'll have our own church.

Have you counted
your blessings today, Tammy Faye?

No, not yet, Susie.

Time to count your blessings,
for they are plentiful.

Okay, well, thank you for my husband.

Oh, you're so welcome, Tammy.

And thank you for Mother's understanding,
even if she doesn't understand.

Oh. You're welcome.

And thank you, God, for love.

Hmm.

Jim! Whose car is this?

No.

Get in. Get in. Come on.

Okay.

Roll that window up.
I got the heat on.

This fine vehicle

with the leather interior
and the chrome on the wheels

is a gift from God
for us to do His work.

But how
can we afford it, Jim Bakker?

Who is this?

I'm Susie Moppet.

Aren't you cute? Well, do
you know about God, Susie?

Oh, I do.

Well, God has cancelled
the claim of poverty

and deprivation in our lives

and He has placed
all the powers of heaven

and the First Bank
of International Falls,

Minnesota, at our disposal.

Oh.

Oh, this is the nicest car
I've ever seen, Jim.

"Everything works for good
for them that love God."

Everything.

But you have
to have faith in Him

and in me and in us,
'cause if you don't,

I don't know
what I'm doing here.

- Oh, I do, Jim.
- You do?

Does she, Susie?

Oh, she do, Jim!

She really, really do!

You sure...

It's all right here.
In Psalm 37:4.

"Take delight in the Lord

"and He will give you
your heart's desires."

God starts turning
those wheels in your life!

You better believe it!

- Oh, now who is this?
- Oh, I'm Susie Moppet.

Well, hello there, Susie Moppet.

Hi! Nice to meet you!

She jumped up.

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

The Bible tells me so

Hitch up your wagon to God.

He's greater than any problem.

Us Christians, we're just
stuck in the mud

like that old game.
Remember that old kids' game?

God wants us just to run free.

Well, this is a fun song,
boys and girls.

So, hit it, Allie.

Jesus loves me

This I know
For the Bible tells me so

Yes, Jesus loves me

The Bible tells me so

You're watching Pat Robertson

on the Christian
Broadcasting Network.

Come on.

Season all your grain offerings...

Oh, come on!

- Okay, okay, okay.
- ...with salt.

Do not leave the salt
of the covenant of your God

out of your grain offerings.

Add salt

to all your offerings.

You know, he's not terribly
dynamic for a charismatic.

I know, but people just eat him up.

...focus on the foundation.

- Tammy, did you see that?
- Hmm?

Watch close.
Every now and again,

he glances up at the camera.

It is upon Him that you
can place your strong...

- See that?
- You're right.

He's talking right to you
in the comfort of your living room.

Well, if I could have watched a preacher

on TV in my own home telling me about God,

that would've made such a difference.

Mm. Amen.

Especially from someone
who preaches as good as you do, Jim.

- You think?
- Oh, yeah.

...blow your home over?

You know, we could do that.

You're so much more handsome than he is.

Keep calling.

Gotta do my homework, baby.

The numbers are on your screen.

Mm. Stop it.

You're distracting me.

...voices of angels.
I hope you enjoy them,

and we have a variety...

Well, we'll have to call the preacher
down in Raleigh

and let him know we got
a better gig down here.

Don't make him cross at you, Jim.

We wanna have him want us back.

Hold on.

What?

The car.

I...

I... I parked it here.

Yep, you sure did. Uh-huh.

Well, must've got stolen...

What?

Oh.

Oh, maybe it got towed.

No, I know I made the payments, so...

I think I made the payments.

Oh, Jim.

Maybe they didn't get
the payments or maybe...

Oh, no.

I don't think I forgot.

- I think I...
- Okay.

- Oh, Tammy, I don't know...
- We need to pray.

Oh, did I? Yes, yes, yes.

Oh, Lord,

we are good soldiers.

- We are here for good.
- Oh, I'm sorry, Tammy.

- We are here for your good.
- I'm so, so, so sorry.

And we ask that you shine your light...

I shouldn't have put
so much faith in that bank.

God, I'm so sorry.

Jesus, I'm so sorry.

Tammy, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Jim.

Hey.

Hey, I saw you preach last night.

Those puppets of yours filled me. Deeply.

Oh, thank you.

Thank you.

I'm staying in the room next door.

- Can I help you with that?
- No!

Well, that's very kind of you...

...but we don't rightly know
where we're carrying it to.

I work at a local television station

with a minister by the name
of Mr. Pat Robertson.

He'd get a kick outta you two.

Yes, honey,
and that's $25 a pledge.

CBN.

Can I take your pledge?

Well, I'm trying to focus.

And you're just distracting me.

You make me laugh.
I was happy to find...

You're so funny, Graham.

- Jim?
- Hey, honey.

Hi, I got a new outfit for the show.

Oh, yes, I love it.

- Jim.
- Yeah?

You didn't even look at me.

Oh.

I'm sorry, Tam.

Have I ever told you

that I am the luckiest man
on the face of this planet?

Have I ever told you that?

- Not today.
- Not today, no?

I'm going to tell you something, too,

but I'm not gonna tell you right now.

You're gonna have to wait.

- No, no, no!
- Yeah.

You just have to.

And there he is.

Every time I try and talk to him,

he just keeps making excuses
not to see me.

Well, my surprise is gonna
make you feel so much better.

I'll be right back.

No, Jim,

- the show's about to start.
- Hey, Pat!

- Jim! Hey!
- You got a second?

Have you given more thought
to our show idea?

All right,
let me get you set up.

Don't you already
have your hands full

with those puppets?

Biggest earner we got.
You stay focused.

Well, yes, of course,

but you shut down CBN at 10 p.m.

Why not do a late-night show?

Just kind of like Johnny Carson
for Christians?

No, Christians don't stay up that late.

Oh, I do.

- I don't sleep at all.
- What about Tam?

Well, she's gonna miss you at night.

- Tammy loves the idea.
- Tammy, we're on.

Okay, we're live
in five, four, three.

Oh, hello, everybody!

Hi, Tammy!

Well, Jim is a little bit late today,

so, um, the theme of today's show,

how about we make it
all about the importance

of being places on time, hmm?

Oh, no! Oh, no!

- I'm sorry, kids!
- There he is.

I'm sorry, Tammy!
I'm sorry, everybody.

I was just having a little,
fun little chat

with Uncle Pat just behind the barn.

Oh, yeah, and what'd you two
fellas get up to without me?

Oh, well, it's actually
something all you kids...

- Mm-hmm.
- ...are gonna wanna

tell your parents about.

It's a brand-new show just for them

right here on CBN!

Well, amen!

And it's gonna be called
The 700 Club.

Now, isn't that happy news?

Hallelujah! Yes! Yes!

- Hi, kids.
- Oh.

Hi, Susie Moppet.

Hi, Jim.
Today's a happy day.

Isn't it, kids?
And you know why, Jim?

Why, Susie?

Well, you're gonna have
a new show, kids.

Yes.

And Jim is gonna have

a baby.

Look at Tammy,
she's right behind you.

We're gonna have a baby?

Isn't the world just
full of blessings, Jim?

Huh?

That's right, folks!

We're gonna have a baby!

Oh-ho-ho!

It's not a drag to be saved.

It's not a boring thing.

That's religion.
See, you got 'em mixed up.

Religion is boring and dull,

but Jesus is life.

Now, my next guest is
a new friend to The 700 Club,

and I can smell his chicken,
yes.

The Colonel, Colonel Sanders
in The 700 Club!

Oh, the crowd appreciates you.
I think they like you.

I think they're wanting
some of that chicken.

I guess
the housewives of America

are thanking you for fixing dinner...

Hello.

Oh, hi, Mom.

Do you know what time it is?
Why are you calling so late?

Well, Jim says that I need
to rest for my pregnancy,

but, oh, you know me. I can't rest,

so thought I'd call my mother
to keep me company.

I never got a rest.

Oh, I miss working, though.
You know?

It's so lonesome at home all by myself.

Wow! Oh, wow!

And he barely touches me anymore.

And when he does, it's not enthusiastic.

Well, it's up to the wife
to make herself desirable for her husband.

I do that. Oh, I do.

He's just really busy.

Really?

So, are you watching Jim's show?

That new talk show of his is on.

Serving God don't feel like

it should be
a money-making opportunity.

Yeah.

You know,
I wanna do what he's doing.

And I wanna sing
and not in a puppet voice.

And I wanna talk about issues
that affect people's daily lives.

And there's so much
that we don't talk about.

There's so many secrets,

and, you know, everyone says
I'm supposed to be tired,

but I just wanna love people.

You got me out of bed

to talk to me about how you're not tired.

Does that make sense to you?

No.

- Sorry.
- Night night, Tam. Take care.

Good night, Mom.
I love you.

Bye.

Okay, bye-bye.

Who was it?

That was Tam.

How is she?

Well, it seems like
she's having some trouble

with the pregnancy.
What'd I miss?

...a second childhood.

I don't know.
The sound was off.

You love kids, don't you?

- You love children.
- I do.

I have five grandchildren
and 14 great-grandchildren.

Wow!

I bet they're spoiled.
Do you spoil them?

Oh, dear Lord God.

What doors are you gonna
open up for me to walk through?

What can I do for happiness?

Oh, I wanna get back on TV.

I'm going back to work for you.

Well...

What do you think he pays himself?

Oh.

I should have worn the other dress.

You look fine, honey.

Oh.

There he is.

Dede's wearing a mink.
That's a real mink!

And it's warm outside.

You know, we...
we paid for all this, Tammy.

You and me,
from the swimming pool to the hot tub,

and Dede's dead animal.
We paid for it.

Well, the fruit isn't dropping our way,
that's for sure.

My little stars!

Hello. Hey, Pat!

- What a beautiful place!
- How are you?

- Oh, thank you, thank you!
- Paradise!

Look at that little baby, too.
Positively a chipmunk.

Thanks.

Hey, that's a nice coat.

Oh, thank you, dear.

Must be hot though.

No, not in the least.

Oh.

Hey, Jim, I've been thinking.

Mm-hmm?
- Have you given any thought

to taking some time off
to be with your family?

These times do not come back.

- No.
- Trust me,

they are precious, precious times.

- No, sir.
- Mm.

I can do The 700 Club for a time.

We can air reruns of
Jim and Tammy for a few weeks.

- Hmm.
- A couple of months even.

What do you think?

It's very...
It's very kind of you, Uncle Pat.

Thank you.

But, you know, I got that bond going
with my audience, you know?

We're on the up-and-up.

I couldn't think
of abandoning them right now.

- Well, we'll think about it.
- Oh, Pat, Pat, Pat!

- Oh.
- He came.

Oh, my goodness!

- Hello! Hello!
- Honey.

- I see, I see him.
- Go say hi!

I know, I see him.
We'll sit down, we'll sit down.

Was your drive in okay?

- Jim, go say hi!
- I don't wanna say hi.

I'm fine. We'll say hi later.

You remember Jim and Tammy Faye?

Hey, now, the puppet people!

Oh, my goodness, just...

What a pleasure, Mr. Falwell.

A pleasure and a blessing.

You are truly an inspiration to me.
It's an honor.

Nice to meet you, Jerry.
I'm Tammy.

Tammy Faye and this is Sissy.

Aren't the three of you

as cute as a button?

- Aw!
- Yes, sir!

It's a moral issue...

...feminist revolution.

You know it was fate.

It was when my youngest
was being baptized,

she was such a little-bitty thing

that we had to put a little milk crate

in the baptismal for her to stand on.

Come on, let's go see Daddy.

Hi!

Could I sit down?

I have the baby, you know.

It's kinda hard to eat and, you know...

Sure. Um, yeah.

Using the fork and the knife
at the same time

and, you know, get the food to my mouth.

Well, why don't...

- I think...
- And I wanna hear

all this interesting stuff.

- Yeah, but...
- Honey...

Well, I'll be right back.

- Tam.
- Oh.

She's a firecracker, Jim.

- Jim.
- Yes.

Come on.

Okay.

Okay.

Well, very nice.

As you were saying, Jerry?

Let's call me Reverend Falwell.

Of course.

Young people today
are raised on television.

It's taught them an immorality.

But now, we are on television.

When I created The 700 Club,

all I needed was 700 people
to keep us going.

A year later,
we're in six markets and growin'.

Hundreds of thousands of folks
are hearin' the word.

Now, God has a voice in this fight.

- Amen.
- Mm-hmm.

Mm. Who's He fighting?

The liberal agenda.

The feminist agenda.

Homosexual agenda.

It's time for a reversal of these trends.

The only hope's in saving America.

Get back to the good old days.

Mm. Mm.

Well, I love our country,

but America is for them, too.

Uh... Well...

- Oh, Tam?
- Mm?

Will you mind getting me another Coke?

Jim, let your wife speak.

Debate. I think it gets us
all back to unity.

Oh, I don't want to debate you, Jerry.
I love you.

- I love all of you guys.
- Reverend Falwell.

Um...

We love you, too, Tammy Faye.

Yes, we do.

God as my witness,

I made a pledge to continue
to expose the sins in this country.

The Bible explicitly
forbids homosexuality.

There's no gray area.

Mm.

Well, you know, I don't think
of them as homosexuals.

I just think of them as other
human beings that I love.

You know, we're all just people
made out of the same old dirt.

And God didn't make any junk.

Right, honey?

- Tammy?
- Hmm?

- Tam.
- Hmm?

You can't...
What are you doing?

I'm changing the baby, honey.

You can't talk
to him like that.

That's the big boss man.
We need him to like us.

- Jim.
- No, Tammy.

Look, listen to me.
I'm trying to build something here.

I'm not messing around.

God told me He wants me
to have what Pat has.

But if you keep acting like that,
if you keep talking to Falwell that way,

I'm not gonna ever get there.

Well, God's been talking to me, too,
you know, Jim?

And He said that I gotta speak up.

So, here goes.

You can't leave me at home all alone,

feeling unloved, and useless.

And He said that I belong on TV
just as much as you do.

And that I should sing
and I should be funny.

And I should talk about real things
for grown-ups.

Just, you know, just the way you do.

And...

He says I'm not gonna tell people
who's going to Hell, Jim.

We're in the business of healing people.

Yes.

Jerry Falwell's a powerful man,
Tammy Faye.

Jim Bakker

is a powerful man.

Jim Bakker.

Yes, he is, Tammy Faye Bakker.

I'm so, so sorry.
I forgot my own strength...

and my manly duties.

It's okay.

You know, we built CBN in four years

and we could build our own in half that.

Yes, I think we can.

Oh, yeah, we can.

Yes.

Jim Bakker is gonna
be a builder for Christ.

Oh, yes, he will.

And Tammy Faye Bakker

is gonna sing her gospel
all around the world.

We are gonna spread His word.

Oh, my!

Coming to you
from Praise The Lord studios

in Charlotte, North Carolina,

broadcasting live
across this great nation.

Praise The Lord television network

presents our five-year anniversary
Christmas special...

the Jim and Tammy Show!

Ooh we're blest

We are blest

Yes, we've got shelter
clothing and strength

We are blest

We're blest, we're blest, we're blest

We are blest

We don't deserve it
but yet we are blest

We don't deserve it but yet we are blest

Hi, everybody!

Nice to see you.
Hi! How are you?

Look at all of you! Wow!

My land!

What a beautiful audience!
Hi, how are you doing?

God has worked miracles!
I want miracles for all of us!

We've got a marvelous show for you today.
Little Richard is here!

God loves you.

He really does!

They are doing God's work
teaching skills to the homeless.

Providing housing for unwed mothers

and handicapped children.

PTL brings the word of God
and Jesus Christ

- to the whole world.
- That's it.

- God bless you, honey.
- It's a powerful thing!

Five years ago,
the PTL network

was little more than a prayer
and a dream.

Today, the nation's
fourth largest network.

We don't deserve it but yet we are blest

We don't deserve it but yet we are blest

Yes, people. We truly are blessed

because there is no condemnation for them

which are in Jesus Christ.

Therefore, if God is for us,
who could be against us?

Blessed are they that hunger
and thirst for His glory,

for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

We have gathered us into His kingdom
and made us priests of God his Father.

Give unto Him everlasting glory,
He rules forever! Amen!

Amen!

Wow!

My land!

Tammy Faye, ladies and gentlemen,

Tammy Faye Bakker!

And it's the happiest time of the year,
it's Christmas!

And remember, never forget it.

You know what I'm gonna say.
God loves you.

He really, really, really does.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

- Merry Christmas!
- Bye-bye, everybody!

I'm Fletcher, Jim's right-hand man.

Jim and Tammy are gonna be
so happy to see you.

I can't believe you've never
made it down to the studios before.

Well, the Carolinas are a long way
from International Falls.

Have you always been involved
with the church, Mr. Fletcher?

I've done all sorts of things.

Once, I was even a party clown.

You don't believe me, but it's true.

Come, this way.
Show's about to start.

Party clown?

We'll get you set up.

But the penile implant
of the inflatable type

is the one that we see here.

Mm-hmm.
And this is the newest one?

Well, it is. And when the man
wants to become erect,

he simply reaches down

and he squeezes that several times

and the man becomes firm.

I think that's fantastic.

Go ahead, audience, go ahead.

Well, you know something else
that's fantastic?

I'm so excited I'm just beside myself.

I would like to introduce you

to my mother and her husband,

Rachel and Fred Grover.

Stand up, everybody, stand up.

Come on. Stand up,

that deserves a big ol' round of applause.

Stand up, Mom.

Thank you.

So, here's the house.

Isn't it beautiful?
I just think it's so neat.

Our ministry's building lots of houses
on the PTL property.

There's one with pregnant teens
and one for kids with needs.

It's all part of our mission
to help people.

This is just wonderful, honey.

Yeah, I'm so glad you guys are here.

I got you set up in the guest room

and you can stay there
until your new house is ready.

Come on.
Let me give you a tour.

This is the relaxation room.

Oh, now that you're here,
I'm just gonna bug you any time I want to.

Oh, yeah, I'm gonna wake you up
any hour of the night.

I'm just so glad to have you here
in the PTL property with me, Mom.

All those people looking at me
and clapping.

Oh, no.

I don't appreciate
being bamboozled like that.

It's love, Mom.

Oh, yeah, that's God's love.

Every day, I have rapture.

Rapture?

You just spent an hour talking
about pumping penises.

Well, these things happen to people

and I'm just being honest
about the way that life is.

And I'm providing solutions

to make marriages better.

- Tam, where's the privy?
- On the left.

Okay.

Sit down, Mom.

Who paid for this house, Tammy?

Well, the ministry makes lots of houses.

We've got one for unwed mothers.

Wait till you see Kevin's House.

Oh, yeah, that one's for kids
with special needs.

And it's named after a sweet little boy
named Kevin.

Oh, he's 13 years old

and he is the sweetest,
tiniest little thing you ever saw.

His hands are attached to his shoulders

and he has no arms at all.

Bless his little heart.

Let me show you to your room.

Okay, everyone,
let's see if I can do this.

So, now, you're gonna
go in a circle.

Oh, mine looks a little bit
like it had an explosion.

You know what I'm gonna do?

'Cause normally when I use frosting,
it's not this thick.

I'm just gonna do that.

I think it's gonna be pretty.

You know, next time,
I'm gonna make you guys my fudge.

That's the best.
I think I've only made that,

you know, on the show,
like, a couple times. Mm.

I know! I wish we had smell-o-vision,

so you could smell this.

This is really nice.

Oh!

That one.
How much time do we have?

10 minutes, Tammy.

Oh, goodness!

Hey, Mom. Did you see the show?

Wasn't that fun?

I'm not sure what's so Christian
about decorating a cupcake.

Oh, Mom, you're so funny.

- Have you seen this?
- Hmm?

From The Observer.

Picture of you and Jim on the front.

Ah.

"PTL's Bakker diverts ministry funds

"for new building project."

What's that about?

Well, you can't believe everything

that you read in the newspapers, Mom.

How's Fred doing?
Is he settling in okay?

Smoke and fire
idn't just the providence of Hell, girl.

You know when I saw that
clipping with my face on it,

I thought for a second
that you were proud of me.

I'm hearing there are articles like this
in the paper every day.

The secular press hates us

because we're winning
millions of souls for Jesus.

Oh, Tammy Faye.

You follow blindly.

In the end, all you are is blind.

I don't know how to do it.

I just need it done.
That is your job.

Yes.

Yes.

God bless you.

You wonder why I don't snuggle you.

Maybe it's all that goopy stuff on you.

Well, it's better than
spending the night with an alligator.

Oh.

That newspaper.

She saved it like
it was a little treasure.

It made me feel so rotten.

Well, your mother's never been
all that nice to you.

Yeah.

Some people just don't change.

We're not doing anything wrong, though.

Is that a question?

No.

Tammy, sometimes, I fear

that what God wants of me
is beyond my abilities.

I'm building so much for Him

in His name and for His people.

- Yeah.
- And...

And He's giving me
more visions every day.

Giving me more orders all the time.

And then, every day, these creditors...

...and the people who are asking me
to save them.

I'm only one man.

I'm only one man, Tammy.

Oh, Jim.

Well, I only need one man.

You're enough, honey.

Okay, come on. Come to bed.

Honey, it's been two months,

and we said we were gonna try
to have another baby.

Tammy, I need your help.

I need you not to get in my way.

And I need you to not ask
more of me than I can give.

Okay.

Do you wanna talk some more?

Can you...

Can you talk to God?

I'm so tired and...

Yes?

I'll call you right back.

I'll take it downstairs.

Don't give up

You're on the brink

Of a miracle

Don't give up

Remember you're not alone

People, don't give up
You're on the brink

Of a miracle

Don't give up on the brink

Of a miracle

Don't give in

God is still on the throne

He's on His throne

Don't give up

You nailed it.

Really?

This is sublime.
This is top drawer.

You really think so, Gary?

I know so.

Your opinion means so much to me.

I haven't been this excited
about working with an artist

since I produced Monster Mash.

That's really sweet.

We could get a Grammy.

- Really?
- Really.

Tammy, it's time to go.
Time for the shoot.

Come on. We're...

Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?

- Yeah.
- We've been looking for you,

so, let's go.
We're live in 15 minutes.

Hey, hey, Jim, how are ya?

Blessed, Gary, blessed.

I'm sorry, Jim.
You know, I got lost in the music.

Gary here,
he just makes it all so awesome.

Wait till you hear it.

You're going to love it.

No, it's her voice, Jim.

I just turn the knobs here.
She sings like an angel.

Well, I'm never giving you
back to Nashville, oh, no!

It's such a beautiful way
to connect, Jim.

It's God's voice through my voice.

To the world's ears.

The things you say, Gary.

Tammy! You're not camera ready.

You know everybody's waiting for you
and it's a big day.

We gotta do 400 K today.
Can we shake a leg, please?

Thank you.
I'm sorry to drag her away, Gary.

Okay!

Shake a leg, please.

Sure thing, Mister.

Thank you.

- Jim.
- Thank you, Gary.

- Tam?
- Mm?

Ta-da! I made it!

30 seconds, everyone!

Light on one, please!

Hmm. How's that?

Yeah.

And we're live in five, four,

three, two...

Tammy and I are undergoing
the most vicious attacks

in the history of this ministry.

By now, perhaps you think
that we should be used to these attacks.

But it's been going on
for a long time, Tammy.

Oh, yeah, that's right, Jim.

It's been going on a long time.

We are being persecuted
by the secular press

who simply do not want you
to receive the word of God.

It is a witch hunt.

And on top of this,
we have numerous past due bills...

that must be paid

if we want to save the entire network

and stay on the air
delivering the word of God every day.

So, now is the time
for our prayer warriors

to rise up because we are in a war.

You know, Tammy and I,
we just hate to do this,

but if every person watching

could double their pledge right now,

that way, we can save
the word of God.

I'm talking about salvation.

Yours, mine, PTL's, the entire world's.

So, together, if we agree together,

let's give the devil a black eye.

Oh, the phones are ringing. Oh.

Praise Jesus and praise you!

And God bless you!
God bless you!

Hallelujah!

And don't forget, remember,
God loves you.

- He really, really does.
- He really does.

Cut! Very good, everyone.

That was not bad. How was that?

- How was it?
- Uh, that was good, Jim.

- We need to talk. Now.
- Jim, it was great.

We're still gonna
be over budget on that...

I just want the sleeves
a little shorter.

Everything's about proportion.

Okay, you ready to see?
Close your eyes.

I love it, Mother.

Oh, Sissy, you look so beautiful, baby.

Thank you.

Golly Moses,
this thing weighs a ton.

Oh, goodness.

Why do you have to do
so much shopping, Tam?

Well, I have to get my exercise somehow.

And, plus, I don't wanna balloon up
with the new baby coming.

Hey, everyone,
come here, come here.

Now, when she comes out,

make sure you all tell her
how great she looks, okay?

You know, she hasn't had
enough love in her life,

and it's time that we all change that.

Go on.

Good grief.

You look so good! Come here.
You do.

Right?

Okay, get up on the pedestal.

I am not getting up on the pedestal.

- Come on, Grandma.
- Come on.

- Come on.
- Don't push me.

Oh!

Isn't it fun?
We look like triplets.

I look like a bear.

You look like a beautiful bear.

- Oh. It's too much.
- No.

I already have a coat.

I don't need it.

Why are you so unwilling to accept
the love that God has for you?

Can you pay for this?

The pledges are rolling in, Mom.

People really like the show

and they're very happy to accept the love.

Take the coat, Mom.

Just take the coat.

Well...

Please, for me.

Well, it is attractive,
and it's very, very warm.

I just feel like a million dollars.

- It looks great, Jim.
- You think?

Yeah, very subtle.

I didn't feel a thing. Not a thing.

And I played golf the next day.

So, we'll have a girl's night.

We'll go to Maciano's, get some pasta.

Yes, yes.

- I love that place.
- Yeah? Oh, wait.

You know, why don't you go ahead,
I'm gonna catch up.

- I'm gonna go give Jim a kiss.
- Okay.

See ya.

And that reporter from
The Charlotte Observer

been poking around.

Calling some of our secretaries,
asking for comments.

I'm gonna put a picture
of that guy's butt...

...on a punching bag

and I'm gonna use it for practice.

We need to talk
about the deficit

we are running
on the expansion to studio...

Phooey! Fletcher, no,
you're such a worrywart.

We're gonna do a telethon next week.

The partners will not let us down.

Wanda, my nose is shiny.

Mm-mm.
- Yes, it is.

- No.
- I'm telling you, Wanda.

- It's fine.
- A little more powder, please.

Your nose isn't shiny, Jim.

You're just being fussy.

- Oh.
- Wanda, tell him he's fussy.

You're fussy, Pastor Jim.

Oh, how dare you.

You're wearing as much
as Tammy these days.

Careful, you'll end up
looking like a clown.

- Stop it! You can't talk...
- But you know it's true.

- You know it's true.
- Fletcher.

You got Wanda laughing.

She's not laughing.
What are you laughing at?

It's not funny.

It's not funny.

You guys!

Oh, I got a new one.

Penny, cover your ears.

What did the leper say to the prostitute?

- Oh, boy.
- What?

"You can keep the tip."

Oh, shit.

Jim, you mean jerk!
You're gonna pay for that.

I went too far.
I went too far. I'm sorry.

- I got you now. I got you now.
- Wanda! Wanda!

Wanda, come here.

Come here and powder his nose.

- No! No!
- "Wanda, help.

"Wanda. Wanda.

"My nose is shiny."

Let me powder your nose.
Let me powder your nose.

Somebody touched me

Hallelujah

Somebody touched me

Oh, I was blind
But praise His name

I now can see

I was in darkness

When Jesus found me

But since He touched me

I now am free

Wow.

That was beautiful.
That was lovely, Tam.

Gary.

Aren't you glad He touched you?

Truly. Yeah.

Hmm.

Well, this is perfect. I love this.

Well, it's all you,
Tam, it's all you.

Oh, no. No, no.
You know I couldn't do this without you.

You know, your voice
makes me feel closer to Him.

Like He's right here.

He is.

Tam...

when was the last time
that you were touched

in the way that a woman
like you should be touched?

Oh, well...

I'm eight months pregnant, Gary,

so back it up from there.

Does his touch tell you
how talented you are?

Gary.

Do his eyes tell you
how beautiful you are?

Does he listen to you?

Does he hear how amazing you are?

Tammy.

Yes.

Can I touch you like that?

In that way that you should be touched.

You can kiss me

- on my neck.
- Okay.

- Don't leave a mark, okay?
- Yeah.

Come here.

I wanna hold you.

- Oh, no. Oh, no.
- What?

- Leave them on.
- All right.

Oh, you're so beautiful, Tammy.

Oh, you're so big.

Oh, yeah.

I like this.

Yeah.

What? What's wrong?

My water broke.

Mm.

You're so beautiful.

He's so precious, Jim.

Congratulations, Jim.

I understand
that Gary drove you here?

We called the studio, Jim,
but you were on the air.

Tammy was real upset
that you weren't here for it.

No...

I'm just wonderful, Jim.
I'm... I'm so wonderful.

We announced his birth on air.
We got a real surge in pledges.

Praise the Lord.

We're gonna get
that expansion in Studio 3,

thanks to this little miracle.

Hmm. Congrats, Jim.

This is such a day of joy.

A day of celebration,

but I just can't help the feeling
that something else is going on here.

That something depraved

taints this day.

Depraved is a very big word, Jim.

But it's a fitting word, isn't it, Tammy?

Yes, Jim.

Well, Fletcher's waiting outside

and he'll get this man back to Nashville,
where he belongs.

- Oh, no. Jim, please, no.
- Tammy.

- Please.
- Tammy, I suggest

you don't talk right now.

Tammy.

Tammy, I hope you're not gonna
let him do this.

Tammy?

I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.

Sorry.

I'm so sorry, Jim.

I'm so sorry.

Can you take the baby away from her,
please?

Okay. All right.

Let me get you something to
help you sleep, okay, honey?

Yes.
That's exactly what I told you.

Formal living quarters
for some of the staff.

Wow!

- Yes.
- So ornate.

Inspired by European architect.

And over here,

that's the first Christian water park.

"We are fishers of men."

That's the bait.

That's good.

I wanted to show you this, too.

See, over here... Yes.

This is Old Jerusalem.

And it's a stunning replica.

Oh, it looks beautiful, Jim.

- Yeah.
- So detailed.

You know what they say about details?
God is in 'em.

- Yes.
- That's right.

You know,
for as long as I can remember, Roe,

I've dreamed of a vacation destination
for Christian families to come to.

A place where they can, um...

Hey, Tam.

A place where they know

that their children are gonna be safe,
you know?

Sure.

We're selling partnerships to fund it.

And that way, the partners,

they feel the sense of ownership

and a pride in this Christian paradise

that they've built.

Uh... Um, how many partnerships
do you have to sell in order to fund it?

Hmm. Well...

a lot.

Yes.

You know, because the partnerships
we've already sold,

they've had to go
to funding other projects.

- I see.
- Yes.

But I've been praying on it.

I've been hoping
that you could advance PTL

just a little bit of credit.

Just to get the bulldozers moving,
you know?

Hi, honey.

Uh, this is Roe Messner.

He's the developer of Heritage USA.

Well, I'm not the developer yet.

Yeah.

Hi.

The doctors have had
her on so many loopy things

since Jamie Charles was born.

Pills to make her normal.
Pills to make her sleep.

Um, as long as she's feelin' better.

Yes. Amen.

I love what you're trying to do here, Jim.

- Mm.
- I do.

I spent some summers with my wife

at Knott's Berry Farm.

Every year the jellies
got less and less fresh.

- Mm.
- And I'm convinced

it's 'cause they started
hiring the wrong kinds of people

to make the preserves.

I knew you were my man, Roe.

But, uh...

I'm not a gambler, Mr. Bakker.

- Oh, well...
- Oh, this isn't gambling, Roe.

Oh, no, it's faith.

I have seen him perform miracles.

Huh.

I haven't had anyone
claim to be a faith healer to my face

since I was about six years old.

Well, buildings are miracles.

Aren't they, Roe?

Well, it's amazing
anything ever gets built, that's for sure.

Yeah.

This is beautiful.

We must take a leap of faith for God.

Especially when the Devil
is makin' us doubt.

God's on our side, Roe.

Every time we fall,

God proves His love again

and we come back.

We come back bigger,
and stronger, and better.

"All things work for good
to them that love God,

"to them who are called
according to His purpose."

And I called you, Roe.

You're welcome.

You're owed a "thank you"?

He was nowhere near saying yes
until I sat down.

Oh, yes, to flirt with him.

Are you gonna divorce me, Jim?

I don't know.

I should.

But God hates divorce.

It ruined your mother.

It'll do the same to you.

You stopped paying attention to me, Jim.

You broke faith with me, Tammy!

Gary, he told me that I was beautiful
and that I was talented.

And he wanted me, Jim.

Don't touch me!

Gary wanted me, Jim,
in ways that you don't.

Oh, my goodness.

He was my friend.

You know, I got a letter this week, Tammy.

From the President.

The President of the United States,

Ronald Reagan himself,
wrote me a personal letter

thanking me for my support
in his election!

I'm an important man, Tammy Faye!

And people don't treat important men
the way that you treated me.

I'm gonna clear my head, I'm gonna pray.

I'm gonna think about what I want.

Jim?

Oh, God. How can I fix this?

God?

Where'd you go?

Where are you?

Why can't I feel you?

Where are you?

Oh...

Where are you?

Tammy? Tammy, it's all right.

- Jim.
- I'm here. I'm here.

It's all right. Shh. It's all right.

Um...

Tammy, I, um...

I prayed on it. And, um...

What?

You know,
maybe I've been a better builder

than I've been a husband.

- Yeah.
- Yes.

But I know for certain

that you are
the only woman on Earth

who understands me.

Oh, honey.

It makes me so happy
that you're saying that.

- Tammy.
- Baby.

I'm sorry.

Oh...

You really hurt me.

I know, Jim.

And I think you have to apologize.

I'm sorry. Oh, I am so sorry, Jim.

To the partners.

- Mm?
- On air.

Today.

Oh.

I learned the best
lesson in my whole life

because of something terrible that I did

that I cannot take back.

I learned how much I love my husband,

how much I care for my husband.

And I learned a lesson of loneliness

such as I never experienced
in my whole life.

All of a sudden, I realized

that there was a lot more to marriage

than just the sparkles.

We're with you, Tammy!

- PTL.
- PTL.

- How can I help you?
- Ah. Bless you.

Because of our satellite,
from this moment on,

the PTL Television Network
plans to broadcast 24 hours a day

till the second coming of Christ.

Jesus keeps on
takin' me higher and higher

Higher and higher
Higher and higher

Jesus keeps on takin' me
higher and higher

Higher and higher
Higher and higher

Hi, everybody!

God has a fixed law of giving.

He gives me a shove
Yeah

If you're not giving,

you cannot expect to have
abundancy coming back to you.

If you aren't giving,

you're gonna have a harvest of misery!

You're gonna have

- a harvest of pain!
- PTL.

You're gonna have a harvest of sickness!

If you can't go to Jerusalem,

you could come to Heritage
and you could go to the Upper Room.

Exactly what you could see in Jerusalem.

Except you don't have to get on a plane.

You know, if everyone watching

could double their pledge
just for one month...

If you haven't sent your pledge
for $15 a month,

do it now and I want to send you
Susie Moppet puppets.

God becomes your source when you give

and you sow in his kingdom.

It works.

Higher, higher, higher

Whoo

Wow

Whoo

The PTL TV network is
carrying out a master plan...

opening centers all across the country

to provide food, clothing, furniture,
and job bank centers.

Jesus keeps on
leadin' me higher and higher

Higher, higher
Higher, higher

Hi, everybody.

Higher, higher
Higher, higher

Higher, higher
Whoo

Higher, higher, higher
Whoo

Jesus keeps on
leadin' me higher and higher

I've seen the rich

and I've seen people with little

who are more blessed

than the millionaires that I've known
who are worried sick

'cause the stock market
doesn't know what it's doing!

It's going up, it's going down!

But people who have sown seed
in the word of God,

their stock is always up!

Higher and higher

That's why we chose this plot.

And with the help of your investment,

we could build a shopping complex
around the hotel

and then we're going to have a trolley.

Mm.

It's gonna wrap around the whole place,

making stops at everywhere there
at Heritage Island, the Heritage Grand,

and then here
at what is going to be our coliseum.

We're gonna have a coliseum.

- Coliseum.
- Yes.

You planning on sacrificing Christians?

Oh, no. No.

Oh, Jerry, no.
We rise again in our coliseum.

This is, uh, gonna be
Christian rock concerts.

Something for the kids.

I really wish you wouldn't
encourage these blasphemers.

- Isn't it beautiful?
- It really is. Mm-hmm.

The trees, the oxygen is...

Are you cold?

Are you...

Stupid question.
Of course you're not cold.

- Sorry.
- Oh, I'm super.

So, what do you think, Reverend?

We would be tickled pink
to have your support.

- Jim?
- Yes?

The coalition
that we delivered to Reagan,

Vice President Bush...

well, he's counting on us
doing the same thing for him in '88.

Um...

You know that Pat called me

and he told me that he's thinking
about making a bid for President.

Pat Robertson's a good man.

But if he runs,
he'll peel away vital Republican votes.

We're in a fight here, Jim.

This gay cancer is affecting our country,
our families.

Republicans can't win without us.

You need to understand
how powerful we are

in this fight for our nation's soul.

Mm.

We should just stay out of it
and keep politics out of the church.

Too much on the line.

Democrats are already trying to strip away
our churches' tax exempt status.

Oh, this time, we'll keep
the evangelicals in the tent.

When's lunch?

Well, hello, everyone,

it's just so nice
to have you here with us.

We have an experience today
that really is touching to me.

Right here on my right,
I have a young man named Steve Pieters,

and I'd like to introduce you to Steve.

Steve is a patient of AIDS

and he's so generously allowed us
to talk to him today.

He is presently taking chemotherapy
and is unable to travel.

So, we have a satellite hookup
live from LA.

- Hello, Steve!
- Hi, Tammy.

We're so glad to see you.

I'm so happy I could be here.

Okay, Steve.
At what time in your life

did you feel like you were different?

Did you feel like maybe you weren't
like some of the other guys?

I realized I was gay
when I was about 11 or 12.

I talked with a pastor in the church
where I grew up

and, um, he was freaked out.

Mm.

He told me, "Don't tell anybody."

Never tell anybody anything about it

and it will go away,

but it didn't go away.

Okay, I have another question.

So, the satellite
is directly above us?

Yes, it orbits us.

That's how we're able to reach
so many folks just simultaneously.

Let me ask you, Jerry,
what's your viewership

over at Liberty Broadcasting?

Oh, well, I'm proud to say
that we reach three million viewers a day.

My goodness. Praise God.
That's just wonderful.

And you?

Well, we here at PTL,
we reach 20 million viewers a day

in 56 countries
just because of that miracle

up there in the sky.

Oh, let's see who Tammy's talking to.

And, Steve,
because of this feeling,

did you try to make friends with girls?

And did you try to be
around girls and everything

so no one would think anything?

Oh, sure, I dated girls.

I tried to "program" myself to be straight

and it never worked.

So, what made you feel...

And what's this, Jim?

...like there was
no way for you to be straight?

I don't know.

- This is not...
- It was from meeting

other gay people who were happy
with the way they were

that made me realize
I could be happy with the way I am.

Now, I find this problematic.

Yes. Well, you know Tammy,

she... she connects in her own way and...

Okay, Steve. What did you feel

when you first heard the word AIDS?

Was it just a word to you, Steve?

Well, yes. Why would it hurt me?
I was a good Christian pastor.

I... I can't look at this.

No.

She must have programmed it
last minute or...

You need to get her under control.

No, no. Let me help.

Believe you me,
I will be having words with her.

- She's been acting very...
- Jim.

Yes?

We have our differences.

People forget sometimes
a pastor needs a pastor.

As Jesus says in Mark 5...

Reach out.

Yes.

What happened
when you told your mom and dad

that you were feeling this way?

- Well, my mother cried.
- Uh-huh.

And my father held my hand

and told me that I was his son,
no matter what.

Ah, thank God.

You know,
thank God for a mom and dad

who will stand with a young person.

I think that's so important

because no matter what happens
to a young person in their lives,

they're still your boy,
they're still your girl

no matter what happens in their life.

And I think it's very important

that we as mom and dads
love through anything.

And that's the way with Jesus, you know?

Jesus loves us through anything.

Jesus loves me just the way I am.

Jesus loves the way that I love.

And have you found it to be true

that people wanna stay away

and that they're afraid to be
in the same room as you

and breathe the same air that you breathe?

Yes, Tammy.

And how sad is that?

That we as Christians

who are supposed to love everyone

are afraid so badly of an AIDS patient

that we will not go up to them

and put our arm around them

and tell them that we care?

This is an emotional interview for me.

I just met Steve

and it's like meeting him in person
for the first time.

I wanna put my arm around you.

And I wanna put my arms around you,
Tammy Faye.

- PTL.
- PTL.

That's very good. Yes.

Every time she calls, she screams,

"Jim and his buddy had sex on me."

- Okay. Shh.
- "Now, I'm gonna kill myself.

"Jim Bakker'll have my
gosh darn blood on his hands."

Now...

Never heard
so many curse words.

Not even from my brother Pete.

Right.

- Did a caller upset you, dear?
- Tammy...

Yes.

Oh, I'm so sorry.
You know, when we do shows like this,

really, we're challenging Christians
to open their hearts.

- And some don't take it that well.
- Tammy, I will handle this.

Oh, no, I have this, Richard.

It wasn't about the AIDS man.
It was about Jim.

She's called before.
We all call her "The Shrieker."

She says Jim and his buddy
had sex on her.

Tammy, you're needed on stage four.

Gosh, we've been having
these pranks for a long time.

And some people,
they're just hurting so bad

and we just need to love them.

Anyway, Jim doesn't have that in him.
Believe me.

I know him better than anyone.

Join the PTL Club,

and Tammy wants to send you
a copy of her book...

about how to overcome fear.

If you haven't
sent in your pledge...

$15, that is all, $15 a month,

it'll change your life

and, uh, we could all use
a little bit of that.

So, Tammy, I think you oughta
sing a song for us.

Oh, I'm back here
looking at the boat, Jim.

Isn't this a magnificent thing?

Yes.

Right here in our beach.

Looks brand new, I bet.

One of the local boat companies

- loaned it to us, I bet.
- I'm gonna take my shoes off.

I'm gonna wade in the water.

I don't think
that boat's ever seen water.

Oh, it's fake. That's...

That's why.

"That's why" what, Tam?

That's why I can't hear Him.

Oh.

How can I hear Him when the sky is fake?

You want to stand up, honey?

We're trying to do a TV show here, baby.

You wanna come give me some help?

No? Well...

I guess it's a good time
as any to work on the tan.

Well, if Tammy's not going to sing,
I guess I am.

Oh, we're blest

We're blest, we're blest

We just got her home.

She's doing okay, she's fine.

No, yeah. We'll be taking her
to the Betty Ford Center in the morning.

She just needs to rest.
No shows for a while.

What's happening
with the other thing?

Can I just say
I love you so much?

I love you.

My friends are gonna be so excited
when I tell them that I met you.

Tammy?

You had enough drugs in your system
to kill a truck driver.

I did?

The doctor told us
if you'd waited a day longer,

you would have had brain damage.

You could have died.

You can't take all those pills, honey.

They're addictive.

I didn't know that. I'll stop.

The doctors didn't tell me that.

I'm not a drug addict.

I'm only addicted to Diet Coke.

You have to stay right here.

God doesn't want you yet.

I have always prayed to Him

that He would allow you to save the souls
that I wasn't able to.

And He has.

You do.

So, you have to stay right here.

Okay?

Okay, Mom.

Tammy.

Oh. Hi, Jim.

The Devil's coming for me, Tammy.

Can we talk about Satan later?

You know,
I'm trying to feel like myself again.

There was a woman...

Fletcher set it up

after you did what you did with Gary.

I did it to prove something to myself,
I think. I... I don't know.

I hated it.

I ended up just crying
in the bathroom.

I fell...

a long way.

I'm so sorry.

Say something.

I've been hurting so bad, Jim.

For years.

And there's never any release
to the pain.

There's never anything
to make it stop hurting.

And when I get up in the morning,

I feel like I'm just gonna throw up...

and throw up, and throw up.

And I have to self-talk myself,
"You can make it, Tammy.

"You can make it.

"Don't give up."

Damn it, Jim!

I'm so sick from my faith in you!

Well, I'm sick of you, too.

You try being married to Tammy Faye.

All I've been doing is trying
to keep our marriage together,

keep the ministry together,
working night and day

while you're just buying minks

and drinking soda pop

and cheating on me with that ape!

You used to take care of me, Tammy.

You stopped taking care of me.

I don't wanna take care of you, Jim.

I don't wanna be your mother.

A woman needs a man in a relationship!

- I am a man!
- You're a boy.

I built all of this.
I built you an empire.

You built you an empire.

No man could ever give you enough.

You're a bottomless pit.

And you keep on asking me for more

with that whiny, grating Betty Boop voice!

I thought you liked Betty Boop.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry, Tammy.

Me, too, Jim.

Um...

There's another thing.
The woman...

I gave her money to stay quiet,
but she didn't.

And, um...

And the money came from PTL donors.

Jim.

And Charles Shepard has the story
from The Observer.

And he's gonna print it tomorrow.

Oh, my God.

- I just... I know...
- Jim. Oh, my God.

I destroyed everything.

Our life's work, Jim.

I know.

Tammy.

Tam, my sweetheart,

if anyone falls, it's gonna be me.

You can let me be the man
that I was meant to be for you.

You don't know anything.

Oh, they're here.

Who's that?

It's all right.

These are the men
that are gonna help me fix this.

Oh, no, Jim.

- No, no.
- Reverend. Thank you so much.

- Thank you so much for coming.
- Jim.

Oh, it's love that carried me here today.

- God bless you.
- Tammy Faye.

Jerry.

Come in, please.
Please come in. Welcome.

Thank you.
Thank you for coming, fellas.

All right.

Well, here we are.

We think it's best
that we create a distance

between you and the ministry.

It'll only be for a couple of weeks.

Then, gradually,
we'll bring you back on the network

after all this unpleasantness
settles down.

Jerry, you're a Baptist.
You know, you're not a charismatic.

And our audience won't like that.

- Right, Jim?
- Audience?

I thought they were parishioners.

They are.

They're our partners.
We call them partners.

Mm.

20 million souls a day

touched by The Word.
Thanks to PTL.

Mm.

You go back there
right away, and...

Well, bless your hearts.

Look at the two of you right now,
so very pitiful.

They see you,
and they'll change the channel.

Jim,

all those souls you won

for Jesus...

I'm here for you.

- Thank you, Reverend.
- Mm.

Just make sure
you take care of our partners.

That is the only thing that matters now.

You're watching PTL,

The Inspirational Network.

Tammy and I are so very glad

that we've been granted the opportunity
to talk with you today,

and, um...

Say hello.

Hello, everybody.

And...

we want to say to you

that we are so very, very sorry.

And to thank the people
who are standing with us all over,

saying, "Jim, we do forgive you.

"We forgive Jim and Tammy
of all of their sins."

And we're so thankful
that God has forgiven us.

We don't know what the future holds,
but I believe, Tammy.

'Cause the God I know is still God.

I believe that the sun will shine again.

Oh, I do, too, Jim.

Do you wanna sing it?
Can you do it?

- I sure will.
- All right.

All right, Tammy Faye is
going to sing a song for us.

Well, maybe you're hurting,
and you need this song today, too.

So I'll sing it for both of us, okay?

The sun will shine again

Now, if you are facing a mountain so high

That just won't move away

We've heard
about your sinful behavior.

If you tell us what we need to know
about Jim Bakker,

we can protect you.

Oh-ho, listen, my brother

We don't want them destitute.

They're children of God.

We want to make sure

we don't leave them stranded
in the desert.

Write it down, what you make,

what you need, every little thing.

While you're in your time of healing,
he wants you to be safe and provided for.

I told him how fragile you are.

He wants to help.
He told me so himself.

You wanna start us off, honey?

- What should I write, Jim?
- Start with everything.

Start with what you need for clothes.

What's your salary, Jim?

One second.
I'll try calling Jerry again.

He hasn't returned any of my calls.

The other side whose storm

Is going to end

Well, your midnight's almost over

"Jim's salary for a lifetime

"at 300,000 per year.

"Tammy's salary for a lifetime
at 100,000 a year.

"Secretary for one year. Phone bill.

"House on the lake. Security.
Personal maid."

I don't see the repentance there.

I see the greed.
I see the self-centeredness.

I see the avarice that brought them down.

Jim, I have sat across the table

from men who have told me
about your homosexual advances.

And since then,
I have learned of fiscal irregularities.

It would be a disservice to God, Jim...

It's all over.

...and to the church at large
if I allowed you to come back.

I've been had.

How could you have trusted
people like that?

You understand
that I can't allow you to stay here.

Your home, and everything in it,
belongs to the ministry.

Your midnight's almost over.

And thank God,
the sun is going to shine again.

Praise, praise in the name of the Lord.

The charges being made
against you right now

are, in effect, that you stole PTL blind.

While PTL was suffering
through months after months

of $2 million negative balances,

you were paying yourself bonuses,

- you were paying Tammy Faye bonuses.
- No.

I don't know if you ever have
a positive balance in a ministry, Jim.

I've never known anyone
to have a positive one.

We're... We're always playing catch-up.

Jim Bakker went on trial

on charges of fraud today.

The prosecution called Bakker,

"A man corrupted
by love of money and luxury."

The founder of
the now-bankrupt PTL ministry

swindled followers

out of millions of dollars
to support a lavish lifestyle.

One couple showed up

in Jim and Tammy Faye masks.

...couple million dollars in PTL cash

for their personal use.

How much money
did you earn last year?

Salary, bonuses, and dividends,
and royalties...

No idea? You're starting...

I don't have the exact figure.

- Not exactly.
- I honestly, honest...

I do not know how much I make.
I never thought about it.

- She don't.
- I really don't.

To raise desperately needed cash,

PTL is auctioning off
opulent personal items

deposed Evangelists Jim and Tammy Bakker

bought with church donations.

They also brought new charges
of moral failure.

...having sex
with Reverend Jim Bakker.

Jessica Hahn,

Bakker personally directed
the payment of PTL hush money.

We grieve for the impact
all of this has had

upon the entire Christian community.

As for the homosexual advances
going back to 1956,

- you're saying that's a lie.
- Yes. Yes.

Yes, that's... that's... that's true.

What are you saying?

That's... That's a lie.

Yes. Yes. And, you know,

people need to know

that God loves homosexuals.

Preachers have to be awfully pious.

And when they fall from grace,
they fall harder.

People laugh.

Tammy, we have a bit of goop
on our face.

You've taken her makeup off.

I saw his wife.
I heard the accusations,

wife-swapping, homosexuality.

Have you seen this woman?

I'd swap her for a can of soup.

National news, special report.

Jim Bakker was found guilty
on all 24 counts of wire and...

- Guilty.
- Guilty.

He now faces up to a 120 years in prison

and $5 million in fines.

Ted, can I say something?

Sure.

I just wanna say, remember,
God loves you.

I wanna say that, too.
God loves you.

- He really does. Bye-bye.
- He really, really does.

All right. Thank you both
very much for being with us.

We're clear.

It's all right, honey. Don't cry.

No.

I didn't do anything. Please.

I have a song for you.

On Christ

The solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

God...

I followed you ever since
I was a little girl.

I loved you.

I served you.

And I worked for you.

God...

where have you gone?

It's not over till it's over.

Hey. Sorry I'm late.

Oh.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- Nice to meet ya. I'm Tammy.
- Nice to meet you. Stephen.

All right. You need a water or anything?

- Oh, no, I'm good.
- Okay.

My new headshot.

Yeah, all right. Nice.

All right. So...

I hear you're here to pitch me something.

Oh.
So I should... I'll... Yeah.

So, I have two ideas for you, Stephen.

And then I'd like to hear
what you see me doing.

Okay.

Okay. Um, the first one is about puppets.

I mean, it's serious, but it's also funny.

It's a talk show but with puppets.

And it's for kids and also for adults.

And it's a way for people
to talk about their problems,

but with puppets.

Okay.

Okay, I have something else
for you, Stephen.

- Oh, okay, another one.
- It's for teenagers.

You know, the biggest problem
that they say is,

"How can we get people to listen to us?"

And I would really love
to give them that chance

and, you know, go where they go.

I'd love to go to the piercing parlors
with them,

I'd love to go to the tattoo places
with them, and...

And you would call this show, what?

- "Tammy's Terrific Teens."
- Oh, yeah.

I thought that would be,
you know, a fun title.

I was just curious.

Well, what do you see me doing, Stephen?

I mean, you're the expert.

Well, have you reached out
to any Christian networks or anything?

Well, they won't have me.

Okay. Well, what I've learned
from doing these shows,

and I think you've learned as well, is,

you know, it is dangerous

to wanna be seen just
for the sake of it. You know?

Well, I do love the camera, but...

Why?

Well, because it's a person.

It's someone to talk to.

It's... It's God's love through me.

So what do you think, Stephen?

You know, would you like to do a show?

I don't know, Tammy.

I just don't think
it's a good fit for us right now.

Okay?

Well, well, I... I...

- I really appreciate...
- Thank you for coming in.

- Thank you.
- Thanks for coming through.

We'll take care
of your parking validation.

- Thank you.
- Okay.

You have a good one.

- Bye.
- Bye.

Oops.

Oh, man.

What'd she do to her face?

I told you she lived here.
What a freak.

- Oh, man.
- Hi.

Oh, shit.
She's comin' over here.

- You guys just hangin' out?
- Yeah.

So, you can talk about me.
That's all right.

But, you know,
you gotta shake my hand,

and you gotta say hi first.

- Hi.
- Hi, nice to meet ya.

I'm Tammy. What's your name?

- Um, Max.
- Hi.

But, you know, we're not strangers.

I live right there. We're neighbors.

Oh! Let me show you guys what I just got.

Who would like a picture?

Jolene, I cannot believe
that you have eaten

almost an entire jar of peanut butter.

Well, I'm sorry, Susanne.

I happen to be eating for two.

Don't beg.

Okay, you're being so good.

I say, have at it.

You know, Susanne,
since you're having

so much trouble collecting
money for your benefit,

I might be able to help you out.

You, how?

God bless you.
You've reached Tammy.

Leave me a message.

Hello, Mrs. Bakker.
This is Linda Thomas

from Oral Roberts School of Divinity.

You probably don't remember
but I volunteered at PTL.

You were always so nice to me.

Anyway, I'm calling to invite you to sing

at this year's festival
of Praise and Redemption.

I think you'd be a wonderful
addition to our program.

We'll check back with you
to find out if you're interested.

Thanks very much.

- Hi.
- Hi.

So, what's new?

Oh. I don't know.

I got an invitation
from Oral Roberts to sing.

- Wow.
- Yeah.

That's wonderful.

- I'm not gonna do it though.
- You should.

No, I haven't been in church for years.

Well, that's where you belong.

No, I don't belong with them.

They're gonna laugh.

I'm not gonna go.

It's my fault you feel that way.

I'm sorry for that.

All of it.

I pray for you, Jim.

And I pray that God will use you again.

Yes.

I appreciate you signing
the divorce papers, Jim.

I didn't want to, Tam.

I know.

But, you know, we've just been
through too much together

and, you know,
there's been too many hurts

that have happened over the years.

And that poor girl, Jim.

I know, I know. I know.

I'm ashamed of that.

I've been getting some real me
and God time in here

and everything looks very, very different

when you're looking at it
from the bottom up.

- Well, yeah.
- Yeah.

And I've just been thinking,

were we preaching

that God doesn't love you if you're poor?

Well, you know that I grew up poor.

It's not what you have in stuff,

it's the people that count.

- Amen.
- Amen.

Tammy.

Mom?

"We therefore
were buried with him

"through baptism into death.

"In order that,

"just as Christ was raised from the dead

"through the glory of the Father,

"we too may walk in newness of life."

Such a good service.

Hello, Tom. Thanks for comin'.

There you are.

Aren't you gonna come in,
have somethin' to eat?

I don't belong in there with them.

Yeah.

One good thing about your mum
kicking the bucket is

I never have to go to church again.

No, I shouldn't laugh at that.

- Oh, I did something terrible.
- Oh?

Oh.

You're forgiven.

Ooh. Wow, she really was blind,
wasn't she?

Mm-hmm.

I got somethin' for ya.

You recognize this?

I thought Falwell took everything.

She hid this.

She stole it.

Well, she said she'd be damned

if she was gonna hand over
this precious thing

her daughter
worked so hard for

to the fat Baptist.

We're opening the house now, Ms. Bakker.

People are taking their seats.

Well, hello there, Tammy.

Hi, there.

I'm scared.

Jesus, come in to my heart,
and forgive me my sins.

I know I cared about things
that I shouldn't have.

And I know I got lost...

and I forgot who you are to me...

but that's done now.

Yeah, I won't go forward

looking in the rearview mirror of my life.

On stage in 10 minutes.

Thank you.

Here, this is for the piano player.

Okay.

Ladies and gentlemen...

...please welcome tonight's special guest,

Tammy Faye.

Aw.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

I am genuinely, I am so happy

to be back where I once belonged.

This morning when I was
in need of some comfort,

I turned to my favorite scripture,

Psalms 91.

"He that dwelleth in the secret place

"of the most high

"shall abide under the shadow
of the Almighty."

And this is my favorite part.

"He shall cover thee with His feathers

"and under His wings

"shalt thou trust."

Well, I haven't had a concert
in almost a decade

and I am a little nervous.

But I'll do my best

to deliver Him to you folks tonight. Okay?

Mine eyes

Have seen the glory

Of the coming of the Lord

He is trampling out the vintage

Where the grapes of wrath are stored

He hath loosed

The fateful lightning

Of His terrible, swift sword

His truth is marching on

Glory, glory, hallelujah

Glory, glory, hallelujah

Glory, glory, hallelujah

His truth is marching on

I have read His fiery gospel

Writ in burnished rows of steel

"As ye deal with my condemners

"So with you my grace shall deal"

Let the Hero, born of woman

Crush the serpent with his heel

Since God is marching on

Come on, everybody!
Feel his miracle!

Glory, glory, hallelujah

Glory, glory, hallelujah

Glory, glory, hallelujah

His truth is marching on

Oh, how thankful I am

for the amazing grace of God.

Because without that beautiful grace,

I wouldn't even be here today.

That grace that reached down and said,

"Tammy Faye, I love you.

"And I love you just the way you are."

You know God's grace is sufficient enough
for you today, too.

And He loves you just the way you are!

Glory, glory, hallelujah

Glory, glory, hallelujah

Glory, glory, hallelujah

His truth is marching on

Our God is

Marching

On

Thank you, Lord,
for the United States of America.

We thank you, Lord,

that we live in this wonderful country.

God bless America. Hallelujah.

Oh, yeah.

It's not over till it's over.