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Comedy Cult Classic

A struggling TV station strikes gold—and chaos—by going full televangelist.

PRAY TV

1980 · 1h 26m · PG · Comedy · IMDB TMDB

A failing television station is bought out by a slick TV evangelist and starts making mountains of money in the guise of religious programming, which is actually just an excuse to sell merchandise.

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Quick Answer

What is Pray TV about?

Pray TV is a 1980 American comedy film directed by Rick Friedberg about a failing UHF television station that reinvents itself as a Christian broadcasting outlet, leading to a parade of eccentric religious programming and comedic chaos.

Programmer's Pick

Pray TV turns the dial to eleven on religious satire, serving up a parade of televangelist antics and merchandising schemes. Dabney Coleman heads a cast that gleefully lampoons every corner of the spiritual airwaves. If your idea of Sunday service involves a game show and a drive-in sermon, this one’s for you.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Pray TV delivers a satirical look at the world of religious broadcasting through the misadventures of KRUD, Channel 17, a failing UHF TV station. Desperate for survival, the station is rebranded as KGOD and pivots to Christian programming, quickly turning its fortunes around. The film unfolds as a series of sharp, comedic vignettes, each lampooning a different type of religious show—from faith healers and drive-in churches to Christian game shows and radical preachers. With its parade of oddball ministries and relentless pursuit of profit under the guise of piety, Pray TV skewers televangelism and media sensationalism, offering a playful yet pointed snapshot of late-70s and early-80s culture.

Details & Specs

Director
Rick Friedberg
Writers
Dick Chudnow, Rick Friedberg
Release
1980
Runtime
1h 26m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Comedy
Also Known As
KGOD

Why This Matters

This 1980 comedy is notable for its early satire of televangelism, featuring cameos by Dr. John and Devo, and has been cited by critics for its similarities in plot and style to the later cult film UHF.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Rick Friedberg Writers: Dick Chudnow +1 more
Dabney Coleman Dabney Coleman Marvin Fleece Newell Alexander Newell Alexander Network Executive Lewis Arquette Lewis Arquette Fred Wilson RB Roberta Barrera Secretary Matthew Beard Matthew Beard Willie Washington / Usher AB Alice Borden Mormon Wife Jaime Lyn Bauer Jaime Lyn Bauer Mary of Nazareth JB Joe Bratcher Joseph of Nazareth Deidre Hall Deidre Hall Sarah of Nazareth Charlie Brill Charlie Brill Dr. Ramirez SC Steve Carlson Frank Grimace Colby Chester Colby Chester Exorcism Reporter DC Dick Chudnow Newsboy / Mexican / Wino / Hassidic Jew / Possessed Boy Jacque Lynn Colton Jacque Lynn Colton Joanie WE Woody Eney Hal Tramer Archie Hahn Archie Hahn Fletcher Peebles Joyce Jameson Joyce Jameson Millie Peebles Charles Haid Charles Haid Buck Sunday DH Doug Hale Announcer Fawne Harriman Fawne Harriman Torch Singer BH Bobby Herbeck Scooter Hayes PK Phil Killian Delivery Boy Bill Kirchenbauer Bill Kirchenbauer Elvin Susan Krebs Susan Krebs Translator-for-Deaf PL Poppy Lagos Mother Mama Mary SL Sam Laws Baptist Reverend Rosemary Alexander Rosemary Alexander Mormon Wife Elli Maclure Elli Maclure Woman in confessional BM Biff Manard Billie Bob Joe Brown RM Richard Marion Rock Flynn Anna Mathias Anna Mathias Freedom Sunshine David McCharen David McCharen Mohandis Hani Jed Mills Jed Mills Farmer in Auditions Nancy Morgan Nancy Morgan Peggy Williams Roger E. Mosley Roger E. Mosley Willie Washington / Leroy Washington Paul Reubens Paul Reubens Jack Chudnowski Jeffrey Richman Jeffrey Richman Jesus RS Ruth Silveira Viola Malo RV Ron Vernan Tony Marcia Wallace Marcia Wallace Alice Kidd VW Vernon Washington Jimmy Dick Yarmy Dick Yarmy Dr. Ben Gay PZ Paul Zegler Dwayne Dr. John Dr. John Dr. John and The Holy Moley Singers Bob Casale Bob Casale Dove [DEVO] Gerald V. Casale Gerald V. Casale Dove [DEVO] Robert Mothersbaugh Robert Mothersbaugh Dove [DEVO] Mark Mothersbaugh Mark Mothersbaugh Dove [DEVO] Alan Myers Alan Myers Dove [DEVO]

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Why Cult

Televangelist Parody

Skewers the world of television preachers, faith healers, and opportunistic ministries with irreverent humor.

Comedic Vignettes

The film unfolds in a series of satirical sketches, each poking fun at a different kind of religious broadcast.

Money and Merchandise

Highlights the intersection of religion and commerce, as the station’s newfound faith is mostly an excuse to sell products.

Eccentric Characters

Features a colorful cast including radical preachers, faith healers, and even a Christian game show host.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was Pray TV released? +

Pray TV was released in 1980.

Who directed Pray TV? +

Pray TV was directed by Rick Friedberg.

How long is Pray TV? +

Pray TV has a runtime of 86 minutes.

What genre is Pray TV? +

Pray TV is a comedy film.

Where can I watch Pray TV? +

Pray TV is available to watch on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

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