USA’s ‘The Rev’ Star Pastor Richard Hartley Talks Reality Show, Family Life, and More

USA’s hilarious new inspirational TV series The Rev has been delivering the kind of comedy only eccentric Pastor Richard Hartley can deliver. Consisting of eight 30-minute episodes, the series captures the world of the larger-than-life pastor and his family.

Richard “The Rev” Hartley is the outspoken and quirky founder, pastor, and choir master of Haven International Ministries in Queens, NY. After traveling the world for years to coach choirs, he is happy to be back home with his family and ready to make his congregation’s choir world class.

A former singer and musical director, Richard has spent much of his career helping major artists and choirs sound their best. He has performed with Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Diddy, Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, among others, and he’s appeared on the Grammy Awards, BET, The David Letterman Show, The Phil Donahue Show, The Donnie McClurkin Show, and more. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Richard to talk his new show, his congregation, and surviving his family.