AllMovie

This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, goes behind-the-scenes inside the world of televangelists. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode looks at the origins of televangelism, from the early days of religious evangelists speaking on radio and television, to more contemporary times. In recent years, televangelists have been marked with scandals that made people question the dedication of their service to religion and God. 20th Century With Mike Wallace talks with Jeffrey Hadden, author of Prime Time Preachers, and Cal Thomas, a conservative writer, who share diverse insights on the impact and business of televangelism. There are also interviews with some of the most prominent televangelists themselves, including Oral Roberts, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Robert Schuller, and Jimmy Swaggart.