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]
| 8 Minutes | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Reality |
| Presented by |
|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 5 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Camera setup | Multiple |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Production company |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | A&E |
| Release | April 2 – April 30, 2015 |
Reception edit
The show has been controversial for its storytelling, tactics of approaching women with hidden cameras and myths about sex work.[4][5]
Cancellation edit
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 edit
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 edit
| No. | Title [6] | Original air date | US viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Welcome to Houston" | April 2, 2015 | 1.05[10] |
| 2 | "Trafficker in the Lobby" | April 9, 2015 | 0.78[11] |
| 3 | "Gorilla Pimped" | April 16, 2015 | 0.80[12] |
| 4 | "Couple Calls" | April 23, 2015 | 0.58[13] |
| 5 | "Two for None" | April 30, 2015 | 0.49[14] |
Broadcast edit
In Australia, the series premiered on the CI Network on July 6, 2015.[15]
References edit
- ^ "8 Minutes on A&E". The Futon Critic. July 7, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Massey, Alana (April 2, 2015). "A&E Completely Misunderstands the Reality of Sex Workers". The New Republic. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
- ^ Seltzer, Sarah (March 26, 2015). "Appalling New A&E Sex Worker Intervention Show '8 Minutes' Met With Protests". Flavorwire. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "8 Minutes Season 1 Episodes". TV Guide. Archived from the original on 20 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Keneally, Tim (September 29, 2015). "Sex Workers Claim A&E Screwed Them Hard in '8 Minutes' Lawsuit". The Wrap. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Duck Dynasty, The Brink, Finding Carter, A Place To Call Home and live sport". The Green Room. July 3, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
