The success of Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" has inspired several
religious versions of the talk show. Jim Bakker, in his autobiography Move
That Mountain! , recalls getting the idea for the format after coming home
late at night from a revival meeting. When he went to work for Pat Robertson's
Christian Broadcasting Network in 1965, he began developing plans for such a
program. "The 700 Club" premiered on local television in Virginia
Beach in November 1966, and Jim Bakker was its original host. Since then the
talk show has taken a permanent place as a major vehicle of religious
broadcasting. A quick look at three of the "talkies" follows.
