American Idol Visits…Michael Sarver’s Hometown
Check out video from Michael’s home visit, HERE.
I had a hunch. I posted about Danny Gokey’s home visit here. Michael Sarver has been busy, too. Friday night, he had American Idol camera crews at his church, they also visited his family, the streets of his hometown and will be visiting the oil fields where he works.
From a fan blog:
From The Beaumont Enterprise
Like he has a thousand times before, Michael Sarver walked from the back prayer room to the stage at Jasper’s Harvest Church on Friday. But this time, about 500 screaming fans greeted the “American Idol” contestant, and he looked so relaxed, the film crew documenting his trip home asked him to go outside and enter again.Fame has brought the 27-year-old Jasper man’s talents to the world, but he remains the same good ol’ boy and man of God he was before, said Sara Smith, 17.
And this:
For one day, Sarver visited Jasper with his wife, Tiffany, and their son and daughter. Camera crew in tow, they visited family, walked the streets of the town of 8,000 residents and stopped for a homecoming party at their church where Sarver sang and worshipped for the last nine years.
More photos HERE. The original Beaumont Enterprise article HERE.
From the Enterprise article:
Footage from Friday will air in three weeks when the top 12 Idol contestants begin competition after the final 12 spots are chosen in the next two weeks.
Crews will also visit the oil fields where Sarver once worked, said Toby Gorman, an “Idol” producer leading the Jasper trip.
I wonder if Alexis Grace belongs to a church? Heh.
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63 Responses to “American Idol Visits…Michael Sarver’s Hometown”
Amen, bean99. For Gokey, I think his livelihood was being a worship leader, so showing him in action would be no different than showing Daughtry at the car dealership. For Sarver, apparently his church is the venue in which he regularly sings (we know his job is on the oil rig), so if they showed Anoop singing with the Clefhangers from UNC or Alexis with her band at a bar it would be the same thing. But I do not doubt that some serious thought goes into casting the final contestants in this show, and the more interesting or outrageous (“Chicken Little” Kevin in Season 5), apparently the more viewers. I think TPTB are salivating over having someone like Sarver and Adam together.
Danny is from a blue state…Michael is from a red state. So I don’t get the blue state/red state argument. All this proves to me is that there are Christians in blue states as well as red states.
edit: read my guidelines!
The only church being ripped on is Faith Builders and I don’t think there is anything wrong with it because what they preach is, in my opinion, a bastardized version of Christianity. Others are free to say otherwise. They are a modern day PTL Club, existing primarily for the financial gain of Pastor Pruitt. FBIM and Pastor Pruitt aren’t going to get the benefit of the doubt from me anymore than Jim and Tammy Faye did.
Up until Danny Gokey I have not had a problem with contestants who talked about their faith, not even Mandisa, who was also controversial. I find Danny, his backstory and his calculated use of his wife’s death repugnant. Seeing that he is tied to FBIM just sealed the deal.
That is a fabulous word.
Great post, Niall.
Oh, you know what I mean. Ultra conservative vs. ultra liberal showdown.
oh boy. This isn’t about ‘persecuting’ Danny or Christians. It’s about Danny looking like a manipulating douchebag with the help of AI and using his widower status to further an agenda, whatever that may be – maybe it’s to win American Idol, maybe it’s to further other interests – who the hell knows. Of course people are going to look at his church, especially after reading the pastor’s message. Let’s face it – there have been a ‘few’ problems with churches like this and a lot of people are suspicious of their focus on money and fundraising. Like it or not, this is the way it is and kind of what Danny has brought on himself.
sorry, MJ, I probably should have posted this in the other thread.
Yes, and it’s like nearly everything else of public interest in this country, it seems to apply to all religions and beliefs OTHER THAN Christianity. IMO and based on my experience and observations only, YMMV.
Religion is a personal matter and doesn’t belong on a secular show. What is offensive to one is not offensive to another, and vice versa. Safer and more fair to leave religion off the show and not make it a central highlight. Some love it but others, do. not. Some of us have our own beliefs, spiritual and otherwise, and don’t appreciate the constant pushing down throats of Christianity. So yes one gets defensive after enough of it.
Message to Oh! Snap!
Welcome to my blog. Now read my guidelines and follow them please.
http://mjsbigblog.com/?page_id=1172
People who sign up to engage in sanctimonious finger-wagging will be edited and deleted.
Nevermind.
After this weekend fury over the religious slant, I will be curious to see what AI will do next. Perhaps they will have a change of heart? Naw.
At this point, I have no complaints about Michael other than he did take the place of two other fine singers. Thank you, Simon.
These blogs are quite amusing.
Why is someone’s religion such a big deal to worry about? AI will show tidbits about the contestants lives. A big part of Michael’s life (and Danny’s for that matter) is his faith. That’s not changing and that is a part of who he is. He has actually been a worship leader for many years. People choose occupations in the religious arena and he did for a while…then he decided to work on an oil rig. In Texas that’s not so abnormal.
BTW…The church has a small area that serves coffee, other beverages and some food items. It is run by volunteers and it is also not a big deal. There are a few members who really enjoy coming up with new coffee drinks, etc. It’s not a mega church with a jet or anything crazy like that. It does however have some creative members who like to add a little paint on a wall or a coffee shop(pe) to the building.
I have a question for these fun little bloggers: AI is a reality tv show…we get a small glimpse into the personal lives of these people. What’s wrong with them being honest about the personal aspects of their lives such as their faith?