8 Minutes

8 Minutes
GenreReality
Presented by
  • Kevin Brown
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes5
Production
Executive producers
  • Brad Bishop
  • Bryan Valderrama
  • Drew Tappon
  • Paul Harrison
  • Sean Gottlieb
  • Tom Forman
Camera setupMultiple
Running time60 minutes
Production company
  • Relativity Television
Original release
NetworkA&E
ReleaseApril 2 (2015-04-02) –
April 30, 2015 (2015-04-30)

8 Minutes is an American reality documentary television series that premiered on April 2, 2015 on A&E.[1] The reality show chronicles ex-police officer Pastor Kevin Brown meeting sex workers and attempting to convince them to quit the profession within eight minutes.[2] The show is executive produced by Tom Forman, who previously worked on another controversial sex-themed reality program Sex Box.[3]

Reception

The show has been controversial for its storytelling, tactics of approaching women with hidden cameras and myths about sex work.[4][5]

Cancellation

Eight episodes of the program were ordered, however only five have been broadcast in America.[3][6] In May 2015, A&E announced it was removing the program from its schedule following controversy surrounding the series, and the network isn't planning to air the remaining three episodes, effectively cancelling the series.[7]

Lawsuit

A group of three women who appeared on the show have filed a lawsuit against A+E Television, saying that they got stiffed after agreeing to appear on the series.[8] Some who were part of 8 Minutes also claimed that they were contacted days or weeks ahead of filming, rather than being surprised like it was depicted on the show.[9]

Episodes

No.Title [6]Original air dateUS viewers
(millions)
1"Welcome to Houston"April 2, 2015 (2015-04-02)1.05[10]
2"Trafficker in the Lobby"April 9, 2015 (2015-04-09)0.78[11]
3"Gorilla Pimped"April 16, 2015 (2015-04-16)0.80[12]
4"Couple Calls"April 23, 2015 (2015-04-23)0.58[13]
5"Two for None"April 30, 2015 (2015-04-30)0.49[14]

Broadcast

In Australia, the series premiered on the CI Network on July 6, 2015.[15]

References

  1. ^ "8 Minutes on A&E". The Futon Critic. July 7, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  2. ^ Roy, Jessica (December 11, 2014). "New A&E TV Show Gives Pastor 8 Minutes to Shame Women Out of Sex Work". Vulture. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Hibberd, James (10 December 2014). "Man has 8 minutes to convince prostitutes to quit in new reality show". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  4. ^ Massey, Alana (April 2, 2015). "A&E Completely Misunderstands the Reality of Sex Workers". The New Republic. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  5. ^ Seltzer, Sarah (March 26, 2015). "Appalling New A&E Sex Worker Intervention Show '8 Minutes' Met With Protests". Flavorwire. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "8 Minutes Season 1 Episodes". TV Guide. Archived from the original on 20 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  7. ^ Yahr, Emily (5 May 2015). "A&E pulls heavily criticized show '8 Minutes,' which claimed to help sex workers leave the trade". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  8. ^ Keneally, Tim (September 29, 2015). "Sex Workers Claim A&E Screwed Them Hard in '8 Minutes' Lawsuit". The Wrap. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  9. ^ Sola, Katie (May 5, 2015). "This A&E Reality Show Promised To Help Sex Workers. It Just Made Their Lives Worse". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  10. ^ Metcalf, Mitch. "Showbuzz Daily's Top 25 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 4.2.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on April 6, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  11. ^ Metcalf, Mitch. "Showbuzz Daily's Top 25 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 4.9.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on April 13, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  12. ^ Metcalf, Mitch. "Showbuzz Daily's Top 25 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 4.16.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on April 18, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  13. ^ Metcalf, Mitch. "Showbuzz Daily's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 4.23.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on April 25, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  14. ^ Metcalf, Mitch. "Showbuzz Daily's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 4.30.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  15. ^ "Duck Dynasty, The Brink, Finding Carter, A Place To Call Home and live sport". The Green Room. July 3, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2015.