Made for TV – Jerry and the J’s!
The Pitch
I first had the idea for a television series centred on teenagers and their band in 2018. It’s not really surprising. When I was a kid I loved The Archie Show, an animated sitcom musical that appeared on TV in the late 1960’s. I was a busy young mum when British pop group S Club 7 came along in 1998. They played fictional versions of themselves in a children’s television series named Miami 7. Every episode was an adventure and they performed a song. Twenty years later I’m a Nanna journaling ideas for Kid’s Ministry and I think, ‘Wouldn’t be great to have a comedic, half-hour television show about a band of Christian teenagers who work with kids in their local Church? Every week they’d be asked a question and they’d have to go on a mini-quest to find the answer. It would be funny but also have spiritual depth.’
Over the following five years, I often thought about the series and made extra notes. Names of characters. What if they ran a Friday night Kid’s Club? Why not set the show in a rural Australian town and use the local town hall? Teenagers need guidance. Who would they go to? Their pastor or reverend. Where is he? Always busy in the community. Wouldn’t it be fun if they interrupted him in the middle of things? At a wedding or even a funeral!
July 2023 I finally decided I couldn’t wait for a television show. I wrote the series in short story form. Jerry and the J’s of Johnson’s Creek was born.
Cast
Jerry is the leader of the band. He plays the lead guitar and is the lead vocalist. He does most of the teaching at Friday night Kid’s Club. His best friend is Jandi. She is the keyboard player. Jazz is cool, calm and collected and she plays bass. Jericho is the drummer and he is accident-prone. Even though he manages to trip or fall over every piece of equipment, he’s never hurt. Jax is their sound engineer. He is also their self-appointed manager and a part-time DJ at community events. Johnson’s Creek is a small town situated in western Queensland and is surrounded by sheep stations. Reverend ‘Mac’ Mackenzie is the pastor of the Church Jerry and the J’s attend. He may get exasperated by their timing but he always helps Jerry and the J’s.
Episodes
Every Friday night Jerry is asked a question by one of the kids attending Kid’s Club. Jerry doesn’t brush kids off with a glib answer because he’s too busy or to hide the fact he’s not sure. He knows it’s okay to ask for help so he understands what the Bible has to say. Jerry and the J’s seek out Reverend Mac who explains the answers to them so Jerry and the band can give an explanation to the kids.
Story 1: How do I know God loves me?
Jerry and the J’s barely beat the Bride down the aisle so they can ask Reverend Mac, ‘How do I know God loves me?’ Reverend Mac explains that God is committed to loving them. So committed that He sent His only beloved Son, Jesus, to die for the sins of the world!
Visit:https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Story-1-How-Do-I-Know-God-Loves-Me.pdf
Story 2: Why do people have to die?
Jerry and the J’s hog the front pew at Mr. Moody’s funeral so they can ask Reverend Mac, ‘Why do people have to die?’ Reverend Mac explains that human life is temporary and that dying is the beginning of eternal life in heaven. The important thing is knowing you will spend eternal life with God!
Visit:https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Story-2-Why-Do-People-Have-to-Die-.pdf
Story 3: How come God was never born and never dies?
Jerry and the J’s interrupt Reverend Mac’s baby-holding practice before the dedication to ask him, ‘How come God was never born and never dies?’ Reverend Mac explains that God is eternal. He created time for the benefit of people but He is present always!
Story 4: Why Does God Let Wars Happen?
It’s time for the ANZAC Day dawn service and Reverend Mac is about to officiate at precisely 4.28 am. Jerry and the J’s fumble in the dark till they find him to ask, ‘Why does God let wars happen?’ Reverend Mac explains that wars do not come from God but from man’s sinful nature.
Visit:https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Story-4-Why-Does-God-Let-Wars-Happen.pdf
Story 5: What If I Don’t Want to Forgive?
Reverend Mac is perched perilously on a board above a tank of water when Jerry and J’s ask him, ‘What if I don’t want to forgive?’ It’s the Church fete and the main attraction is ‘Dip the Shepherd’. He tells them that if they wait till they feel like forgiving it will never happen. Forgiving someone is a choice.
Development
So, to any television executive producers or showrunners out there, you can see Jerry and the J’s of Johnson’s Creek is ready for development. I even wrote the theme song. Call me!
Opening Theme Song
Jerry and his band
Are here to help you understand
The answers that you seek
To life’s big questions every week
There’s Jax the sound engineer:
‘Testing, 1, 2, 3. You sound great guys!’
Jandi on the keys:
(Keyboard solo) ‘There you go!’
Jazz on the bass:
(Bass guitar solo) ‘Cool.’
And Jericho on the drums:
(Drum solo followed by a crash) ‘I’m okay!’
And Jerry on lead guitar:
(Guitar solo) ‘Awesome!’
They’re Jerry and the J’s of Johnson’s Creek
You’ll hear from them every week
Drop by Kid’s Club on Friday nights
In the old Town Hall
With the help of Reverend Mac
And God’s wisdom, there is no lack
To answers you ask every day
They’re Jerry and the J’s!