SkimIt
Network: TLC
Genre: Reality TV
TV Rating: TV-14
Other Choices: 19 Kids and Counting, Sister Wives, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Available On: Online
Common Sense Says: Pastors' wives pray, play, and argue in reality drama.
Common Sense Rates It:
Parents need to know
Parents need to know that The Sisterhood features typical reality show antics, this time with a focus on women who are married to Evangelical pastors. There are lots of references to God, the Bible, and other religiously oriented things. Expect loud arguments between women and sometimes between pastors, plus references to past drug use. Conversations can get spicy, and one episode features a condom-use demonstration (using bananas) for teens.
- Families can talk about what it is like to be the spouse or child of a leader of a religious community. Do you think they are held to a higher standard than other people? Are some of these expectations are too high? Do you think this series offers a realistic picture of what life is like for families of church leaders?
- Why do you think these women agreed to be on this show? Is it to show their human side vs. what people expect them to be in the church? Is it for publicity? For money?
What's the story?
THE SISTERHOOD is a reality series about a group of strong, fashionable, and outgoing women in Atlanta, Georgia, who just happen to be married to evangelical pastors. It stars Domonique Scott, who is married to Pastor Brian, of the now closed Good Life Church; DeLana Rutherford, who is married to Pastor Myles of the Worship the Wonders Church; Ivy Couch, the wife of Pastor Mark of the Emmanuel Tabernacle; and Christina Murray, who is married to Pastor Anthony of the Oasis Family Life Church. Also joining the group is former Los Angeles resident Tara Lewis, who is married to aspiring televangelist Pastor Brian of the Phenomenal Life Church. From starting a church and running its day-to-day operations, to raising children and keeping marriages going, each of these wives (known as first ladies) must find ways to be true to themselves while publicly serving their congregation as upstanding members of the community.
Is it any good?
From conversations about sex to catty arguments, these first ladies are using a typical reality entertainment platform to give viewers a chance to see their human side, which is often unexpected and/or overlooked thanks to their husbands' profession and the expectations placed on them by the members of their respective churches. It also highlights some of the culture surrounding Evangelical communities, which often includes conservative values, church scandals, and consistent references to God, the bible, and other religion-based things as a way of understanding -- -and coping with -- the world around them.The Sisterhood is milder than most reality shows of this kind, but there's lots of awkward moments, especially during interactions with pastors who fall outside of the traditional Atlanta Evangelical community and/or folks who seem uncomfortable with a first lady's personal choices. Folks may find the way these women negotiate the church life with their personal lives somewhat interesting. There's also enough gossipy drama and heated exchanges to keep it voyeuristically entertaining, too, if not necessarily enlightening.
The Good Stuff
Messages: God, church, faith, and Evangelical religious beliefs are discussed as positive forces in the women's lives. Some typical reality show-style drama between the women, sending the stereotypical message that women have a hard time getting along.
Role Models: The pastor's wives are viewed by the community as role models, and are expected to behave as such, but they can be catty, jealous, judgmental, and even rude to each other.
What to watch out for
Violence Fighting, usually in the form of yelling and proselytizing, break out between the wives (and occasionally between a few pastors). Occasional references to "killing," but these are made comically.
Sex: Some sexual innuendo, plus references to some sexual acts, and conversations about having a good sex life. Teens are shown being lectured about safe sex, STDs, and being shown how condoms work (with bananas).
Language: Not an issue
Consumerism: Domonique's store, The Queen Maker Boutique, is prominently featured.
Drinking, drugs & smoking: At least one first lady had a drug problem before turning to God and changing her life. References are made to smoking crack and other activities.
