The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Tammy Faye LaValley falls head over heels for Jim Bakker while attending North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Despite her mother Rachel’s disapproval, they tie the knot and leave college behind to spread their message and inspire Christian communities across the nation. The couple’s passionate preaching captures the attention of Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), leading them to host the beloved children’s show Jim and Tammy. Jim eventually becomes the first host of CBN’s The 700 Club, welcoming their daughter, Tammy Sue.

At a party, Tammy and Jim encounter the conservative pastor Jerry Falwell, who shows interest in collaborating with CBN. However, after a heated disagreement where Tammy criticizes the intertwining of faith and politics, she encourages Jim to set up their own television network to maintain control over their programming. Consequently, they leave CBN and establish the PTL Satellite Network, with their flagship program, The PTL Club, gaining popularity over time. In an effort to support their family, Tammy invites her mother Rachel and stepfather Fred to stay with them at their Tega Cay, South Carolina estate, where Rachel’s suspicions about PTL’s financial practices begin to intensify.

As public scrutiny increases regarding PTL’s finances, Tammy’s relationship with music producer Gary S. Paxton becomes flirtatious, prompting Jim to dismiss him after the birth of their son, Jay. Throughout the 1980s, Jim devotes himself to developing a Christian theme park, while Tammy struggles with addiction to pills and becomes disillusioned with Falwell’s political influence. Her advocacy takes a bold turn when she invites AIDS patient and Christian pastor Steve Pieters for an interview, promoting support for the LGBTQ+ community, which starkly contrasts with Falwell’s condemning remarks.

Amid tensions, Tammy collapses during a broadcast, igniting a fierce argument with Jim over their crumbling relationship. As scandals surrounding PTL’s financial mismanagement and Jim’s alleged affairs come to light, Falwell seizes control of PTL. Ultimately, Jim is imprisoned for fraud.

By 1994, amidst the fallout, Tammy and Jim have officially divorced. With Rachel gone, Tammy grapples with reviving her career and finds herself hesitant to accept an invitation to be the special guest at a Christian concert at Oral Roberts University. With trepidation, she performs a heartfelt rendition of Battle Hymn of the Republic, envisioning a powerful gospel choir accompanying her.

An epilogue reveals that Falwell passed away in 2007, Jim returned to televangelism with a revived PTL after his release from prison, while Tammy passionately supported LGBTQ+ communities until her death on July 20, 2007, at her home in Loch Lloyd, near Kansas City, Missouri, after an eleven-year battle with cancer, at the age of 65.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 19:17