'Brother Jed' to star in his own reality show

Standing under tree branches behind Woodburn Hall on Friday, a 70-year-old man wearing a bow tie gestured with his staff as he discussed the origin of life with a skeptical student.

George Edward “Brother Jed” Smock’s audience is about to get much larger.

The traveling evangelist is working on a pilot episode with a Hollywood agent and may soon have a “Brother Jed” reality TV show on Country Music Television.

“It’s another tool of getting the message out,” Smock said. “It could double the size of the crowd.”

Smock’s potential TV presence does not bother freshman Greyson Yandt, who engaged in an argument earlier in the afternoon with one of Smock’s followers.

“I’ve heard that he really only has a few good stories, so that won’t last too long,” Yandt said. “What’s he going to do? Is he going to tell me that I’m going to Hell until his time runs out?”

If Smock had offended Yandt during his preaching, he met his goal, Smock said.

“I’m glad they’re offended,” Smock said. “That shows me down deep they know they ought not to be living the way they’re living. I’m more concerned about people who pass by and aren’t offended.”

Sophomore Justin Meredith calls himself a “devout follower of Jesus,” and he said he felt compelled to try and reason with Smock on Friday.

“The way they’re speaking about these things is completely wrong,” Meredith said. “I don’t think they deserve the mocking from students, but I think they need to be corrected and put on the right path.” 

Smock made the announcement through a post on his Facebook page Wednesday, saying Hollywood producer Roger Nygard had signed a contract to film a pilot for the show about Smock and his family.

“Where should we film the campus part of the show — Indiana University, Indiana State or IUPUI?” Smock said in his Facebook post.

After its pilot run, Smock’s show will have a chance to air on CMT. If all goes well, he could have multiple seasons, he said.

“As of right now, ‘Duck Dynasty’ doesn’t have to worry about me,” Smock said. “In another year, they might have to worry about me.”

Even though student James Owens stuck around to speak with Smock, he said he did not agree with Smock’s opinions.

“I can’t say that my beliefs have changed after this conversation,” Owens said. “But it was definitely a good experience to be able to talk to Jed to understand exactly what he’s trying to accomplish and what his views are on things.”

Smock said he hopes his presence on television will turn non-believers into followers of Jesus.

At the very least, it will get young people thinking, Owens said.

By calmly discussing the origins of life with a single student, Smock said he yielded success.

“I trust I’ve given him something to think about,” Smock said. “That’s a start.”

Follow reporter Hannah Alani on Twitter @hannahalani.