TV Land’s ‘Impastor’ TV Show Features an Impostor Gay Pastor

By Alison Lesley --
30 Jul 2015 --

By vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England (Michael RosenbaumUploaded by MaybeMaybeMaybe) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Conservative Christian groups call the show a mock and an insult.

On July 15, 2015, TV Land premiered its very own comedy series Impastor based on the story created by Christopher Vane. The weekly series which is now on its 3rd episode stars comedy actor Michael Rosenbaum together with Sara Rue, Mircea Monroe, David Rasche, and Mike Kosinski.

The story revolves around Buddy Dobbs (Michael Rosenbaum) who is on the run from his creditors. Feeling desperate, the gambler attempted suicide but was saved by the gay pastor Jonathan Barlow which eventually ends up dying on the scene. Upon learning that the pastor is on his way to his next assignment, Buddy assumed Barlow’s identity and becomes the new pastor of the small town.

Throughout the series, Buddy Dobbs who is trying to act as a pastor slowly exhibits characteristics that are not typical of a church leader. He becomes the subject of several controversies like being associated with drugs, crimes in the town, including love triangles and sexual relations. But amidst such controversies, secrets, and problems that he shall face in the town, he will eventually realize that the community is actually the family that he longs for.

So just so we're clear @tvland won't air #DukesOfHazzard but WILL anti christian garbage like #Impastor cc @AFAradio
— ReaganWasRight (@Shawn_Mize) July 13, 2015

Groups say TV series mocks Christianity

As everyone expected, several conservative and far right Christian groups label the new series as a mock and insult to the Christian religion. For them, the evidence is very obvious. The show depicts pastors in a very negative manner. Perhaps, it’s the only show where one can find statements like “trying to boguard The Lord”, “I saw him light his dick on fire”, “You’re blowing the pastor”, etc. The show is also filled with drug, crime, sexual content, and foul jokes.

These groups are calling on the public to boycott the series and TV Land. They are also calling for advertisers not to support the show. In the end, the offended Christian groups want the show off the air.

Michael Rosenbaum defends the Impastor

In an interview with the Executive Producer and lead actor Michael Rosenbaum, he admits that they have already expected the backlash coming from conservative groups. But the actor clarified that the comedic story was never meant to mock Christianity or any other religion at all.

Rosenbaum cites that: “We’re just trying to tell good, funny stories here. I will tell you that I know a couple of pastors who have watched the show and they told me they weren’t offended. So take away from this what you will, but all we’re trying to do is tell funny stories about people in interesting situations”.

In the end, the actor invites the public to watch the series to be able to make an unbiased judgment on its content. He promises that he and the story will make viewers laugh.