'The Rev': Is cornbread the secret to a great relationship? Richard Hartley feels dating is 'dead' without it

'The relationship is dead without a cornbread,' declared Richard Hartley while discussing relationships and dating with millennials at his church
Richard and Judea Hartley (USA Network)
Richard and Judea Hartley (USA Network)

Dating is anything but easy, especially in the millennial age. So pastor Richard Hartley's daughter, Judea Hartley, decided to hold a workshop on dating in the millennial age. When Judea pitched the idea to her father about conducting the workshop at their church, New Haven International, Richard jumped instantly onboard with the idea. But he felt that he would be a better facilitator rather than Judea because she has never been in a relationship. 

Judea reluctantly agrees to her father dropping by the workshop and sharing some of his wisdom with her peers. During the workshop, the 27-year-old tells her peers how it is important for young people to focus on their education and building their careers. He points out how a person might check all the boxes when you see them on dating apps or social media, but when you meet them in person, you might realize that the person isn't exactly what they portrayed themselves to be.

Richard and Judea Hartley during the millennial dating workshop (USA Network)

Richard was appalled on hearing Judea dissuading the youngsters from dipping their foot in the dating pool. He quickly jumps in and takes over the workshop, by saying that if they listened to his daughter then they would all be single for the rest of their lives. He encourages the youngsters to put themselves out there, and focus more on meeting people in person rather than digital love. 

When one of the girls from the audience questions about doing research on people they come across online, the pastor was completely lost on hearing the names of dating apps, and background checks. He reminds them that they were only looking for a date, not doing FBI's work. In his green room interview, he reminisces about how aback in his day, when one wanted to date someone, they got the flowers, and met their parents, went on dates, etc, and didn't rely on dating apps, or doing a background search on their potential dates.

Richard Hartley (USA Network)

As Judea continued to tell her peers to be cautious while dating online, Richard once again cuts her off, by ranting about cornbread, He declares that the secret to not be single for too long is "cornbread". He continues by saying how a person online might lie to align with your interests, or fake about having multiple degrees, and similar hobbies, but "the relationship is dead without cornbread". Judea disagrees with her father, but Richard remains adamant about how cornbread is the answer to having a strong and healthy relationship. In case you're wondering what's the relationship between cornbread and a relationship, then our best guess is that Richard's analogy might be a play on the saying the way to someone's heart is through their stomach. 

'The Rev' airs every Thursday at 10:30 pm ET/PT on USA Network.

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