Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath -US pace- A&E

Agent Coulson

Not sure to weather this should go in the TV, Reality TV or Documentaries thread.

Yet another Scientology doc this one comes from former member actress Leah Remini.

“Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath,” Remini’s eight-episode docuseries about the Church of Scientology, has been given a premiere date by A&E: Nov. 29 at 10 p.m.

In the series, Remini meets and interviews former Church members, who all allege abuse and harassment by the Church. A team of former high-ranking Scientology officials helps Remini delve into these stories.

“For too long, this multi-billion-dollar organization bullied victims and journalists to prevent the truth being told,” Remini said. “It is my hope that we shed light on information that makes the world aware of what is really going on and encourages others to speak up so the abuses can be ended forever. I hope that people who have left now feel they have a safe place to go. I hope others who have also experienced abuses will come forward and help us to do something about it.”

Remini left the Church in 2013, after being a member for 30 years. Her departure came a few years after producer Paul Haggis’ high-profile split with the Church and just months after the publication of Lawrence Wright’s “Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief,” which served as the basis for Haggis’ HBO documentary of the same name. Remini came out with a memoir, “Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology” in 2015.

“Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath” is produced for A&E Network by the Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC). Executive producers for IPC are Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman. Leah Remini serves as executive producer for her No Seriously Productions. Alex Weresow serves as showrunner and executive producer.

http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/leah-remini-scientology-docuseries-november-1201902763/

paleoperson

I'll give it a look. I love Leah Remini in King of Queens, not convinced we need 8 episodes to show all the interesting things about scientology though.

Can't be any more of a let down than the Louis one

Agent Coulson

What might make this one more interesting than anything we have seen before is Leah reported Miscavige's wife as a missing person to the LAPD when she left Scientology in 2013 his wife hasn't been seen in pubic since 2007 that indecent alone seems more interesting than Louis doc.

jonski

I presume by Louis ye are referring to Louis Theroux ?

I'm just wondering how ye have seen this already , I thought it didn't get a release in Ireland ?

Loveinapril

jonski wrote: »

I presume by Louis ye are referring to Louis Theroux ?

I'm just wondering how ye have seen this already , I thought it didn't get a release in Ireland ?

The internet is a wonderful thing 😉

Agent Coulson

jonski wrote: »

I presume by Louis ye are referring to Louis Theroux ?

I'm just wondering how ye have seen this already , I thought it didn't get a release in Ireland ?

Louis Theroux My Scientology Movie is available to rent on Google Play & iTunes in Ireland.

jonski

Yeah , sorry lads , I just worked it out after I posted . I'm looking forward to watching that as I like his stuff .

naughto

jonski wrote: »

Yeah , sorry lads , I just worked it out after I posted . I'm looking forward to watching that as I like his stuff .

I have watched a good lot of his docs this one is by far one of the worst

Agent Coulson

The first episode is out and it's already better than Louis My Scientology Movie.

numorouno

Is it on any channel on sky?

brevity

She did an AMA on Reddit as well for those interested.

DEFTLEFTHAND

Just watched a clip of her on Howard Stern from about 10 years ago where they all goofed on her for being a Scientologist.

Interesting to see that she's now left, although I hope she doesn't divulge any secrets that could put her jeopardy.

Agent Coulson

Episode 2 was really good the whole episode was with and about Mike Rinder.

Mr E

Watched the first 2 over the weekend. The more it went on, the less weight the Scientology disclaimer carried... They really are a scary organisation.

You'd wonder if Tom Cruise left, would be suffer the same punishments as others who have gone before him?

Great show though, well worth a watch.

Berserker

Watched Louis' Scientology offering and it was a little disappointing. I have watched some of Leah's work on the CoS and I like her, so I will give this a go.

Agent Coulson

Another really strong episode this week.


Next weeks could be something new as Leah interviews Miscavige's father.

Agent Coulson

A really good episode this week with Miscavige's father being interviewed.

Mr E

There was a good special on during the week where Leah and Mike (and some special guests) answered some viewer questions from a Reddit AMA. It had the potential to be filler, but it was very good. Some really awkward flirting between Leah and Mike though...

It's labeled as s01e00 if you are looking for it.

Berserker

Watching this each week and some of the stuff that went on was just incredible. Is it possible that this church could crumble some day?

Agent Coulson

Without Miscavige & Cruise it may survive as the peaceful church a lot of the followers believe it to be but without the money those seem to be able to bring in it's hard to know.

SouthernBelle

Where is this being shown?

Berserker

SouthernBelle wrote: »

Where is this being shown?

You can find it online. It is shown on US tv.

Yggr of Asgard

Speaking as a God myself, you puny earthlings and you religions always fascinate me, it's amazing to see how you invent stuff just to justify your own existence and try to reach higher level of existence.

What I liked about this particular show is that it's still respectful about the individuals that have chosen this religion, be it ex or current members.

Unlike other shows that label everybody as "idiots" for falling to this particular brand of religion this actually does try to avoid it and concentrates on individuals and how they got onto their individual journey in and out this church without condemning everybody with the same blanked approach.

It's criticism of certain members or practices for me is legit and it's interesting to see how people who were in charge of certain parts of this church are now living their life's and how they deal with the horrors they have inflicted on others.

And while I appreciate A&E being under pressure to display disclaimers every time they come back from Commercial, that really does the church more harm than some of the statements in the actual segment. I get it, the church thinks these people are heretics and every religion has their own ways of dealing with those, but this is just overkill. One disclaimer would have been enough.

In any case, I'm going to watch the rest of the season once it's out as I find it interesting to see this done a little different than the usual shows about this topic. 

Agent Coulson

This really is the best thing I have watched on Scientology.

Last nights episode had an interview about forcing members of the Sea Org to have abortions if they got pregnant :eek:

Yggr of Asgard

I agree with your assessment, however this is also still one of the most respectful documentaries about the church because while it's critical it does not resort to make only fun about the more "out there" elements of this religion.

It's easy to talk about volcanos , magic underwear or [insert whacky ritual/theory of a major religion] without addressing the important question behind it and this is looking at the other stuff rather than just making fun of it.

I'm of the opinion that you can belief in what ever you want as long as you leave me alone with your nonsense and you don't cause harm to others and their rights.

The more I watch of this documentary the less I believe that my position is actually defendable when it comes to the church of scientology.

I know I might become an SP but in my own religion I'm a god so I don't care and I have a son with a big hammer that I can use to strike down my enemies so I'm ready to defend my religion against those who think theirs is better if needed.

What I wonder is if this documentary is actually going to bring some change in the public opinion or in public policy especially in the US. While it's hard to see President Trump's Administration changing the tax exempt status or investigating the claims in more detail, commercial pressure (i.e. People refusing to see a Cruz movie) might be what brings change to how they treat people that leave the church? But than again, it's the US, so the hopes are low.

Yggr of Asgard

The church has actually created a website to address the issues raised in this program:

http://www.leahreminiaftermath.com/

Shows how good their PR machine is, they got the domain matching the program's name even before A&E could.

I always like to hear both sites and some of the videos/letters on that webpage are quite interesting as it will allow a person to draw their own conclusions and decide for themselves what they want to believe.

Agent Coulson

What I have enjoyed about this so far is we are seeing a lot more than the usually talking heads.



Leah seems to be able to get more of the those who left the church to open up with their stories and not her's (Yet) where other documentary makers always seemed to just go to Mike Rinder & Marty Rathbun who have both been in this but but it's not about them Mike is more Leah's guide.

Yggr of Asgard

I am skeptical about Mike Rinder to be honest so I'm glad to see that he is more a guide to introduce and make some comments to put stories / facts into perspective than being the sole focus.

But indeed this documentary is getting different persons in front of the camera than the usual pool of people, however most of them seam to have left years ago and are not recent leavers, so how much stranger it got since than is another question.

Berserker

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

I am skeptical about Mike Rinder to be honest so I'm glad to see that he is more a guide to introduce and make some comments to put stories / facts into perspective than being the sole focus.

What issues do you have with Rinder?

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

The church has actually created a website to address the issues raised in this program:

http://www.leahreminiaftermath.com/

Shows how good their PR machine is, they got the domain matching the program's name even before A&E could.

Why would A&E bother buying that domain? Followed one of the links on that site to the CoS site and the article about the opening of their office in Merrion Square last year, is more than a little inaccurate.

Yggr of Asgard

Berserker wrote: »

What issues do you have with Rinder?

I'm not entirely convinced that he is telling the whole story or truth. He was excellent in his job at the church and did not tell the truth for a long period of time and did several activities that caused harm to others. 

That takes a special type of character to be able to work for such a company / church in such senior position and goes beyond just being a loyal follower.

Now he is using the same energy to go after his ex employer so in my mind there is a question of how much of his claims are actually true and what his motivations are. 

If you work for x years for company A, than leave that company and now trash that company, than I will have issues believing all that you say. That does not mean that I think you are lying all the time, but to a certain extent there is areas where I don't fully trust you. You for years spun the story of company A and now you work for company B or your own company making money going after company A and that makes it more suspicious.

And yes, organized religion is a business that is why I am drawing on my business experience. While working at certain companies I also have spun their story and once I left my tone changed to them. Not as drastically as Mr. Rinder but inside the bubble it's different than outside.

In so far hearing from other is good as it gives some more validity to what he is saying.

Berserker wrote: »

Why would A&E bother buying that domain? Followed one of the links on that site to the CoS site and the article about the opening of their office in Merrion Square last year, is more than a little inaccurate.

Because it makes sense for them to have the domain so that they can use it as part of their advertising campaign for example. To leave it to the church is kind of strange to me. But that is my opinion.

Berserker

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

Now he is using the same energy to go after his ex employer so in my mind there is a question of how much of his claims are actually true and what his motivations are.

His claims regarding the CoS mirror those of countless other ex-scientologists. Nothing overly unique in what he is claiming.

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

Because it makes sense for them to have the domain so that they can use it as part of their advertising campaign for example. To leave it to the church is kind of strange to me. But that is my opinion.

Not really, they have their own methods of advertising in place. This CoS were always going to create a site to counter the claims in this series. Trying to buy all the domain names which they could use for that site would be a waste of time and money.

Yggr of Asgard

Berserker wrote: »

His claims regarding the CoS mirror those of countless other ex-scientologists. Nothing overly unique in what he is claiming.

Maybe, but I still have my reservations about him.

Berserker wrote: »

Not really, they have their own methods of advertising in place. This CoS were always going to create a site to counter the claims in this series. Trying to buy all the domain names which they could use for that site would be a waste of time and money.

Well I disagree, if I would have been a producer I would have snapped that particular one up. It's just to near to the show's name to leave open. And they must have known that the church is going to use it for their own purpose. It's 0.99$ and an automated program to snap them up just takes a minute or two. If this is really about bringing attention to the issue than in the age of internet you snap up any domain that remotely connects to ensure you can use it to your advantage (which is why the church did snap it up).

Agent Coulson

I say it every week but again another great episode the best thing every done on Scientology.

Yggr of Asgard

I wish I had your TV provider, I'm always so behind your viewing schedule.

Liam McPoyle

Myself and the missus have been watching this.

Certainly the most eye opening work I've seen on the subject to date.

One thing she picked up on though, pretty much everyone that is being interviewed left the church in 2005.

It seems a little bit too coincidental that they all left in 05 and then decide to be a part of a show denouncing the church.

One thing is for certain, if even half of what the interviewees are saying is accurate, that is one messed up organisation.

bnt

I watched ep.1 last night and plan to catch up over the next week. So far it hasn't told me anything I hadn't heard already from Going Clear or from Paul Haggis, and I'm OK with it focusing more on the human stories.

I saw Mike Rinder in the credits as "Consultant", so I expect he's being paid in some form, and I don't have a problem with that. He's been active online about Scientology and not getting paid for it. The question raised early on about Shelly Miscavige are currently making news, with Remini asking the LAPD to check up on her and recent reports of sightings of Shelly in a "frail state".

Agent Coulson

John Sweeney who did an investigation for BBC'S Panorama was on this weeks episode along with two others who have done stories on Scientology.

Again another really good episode.

Yggr of Asgard

About to go to the couch to watch it, so am looking forward to it, Sweeny usually knows what he is doing.

Agent Coulson

I should have said that was the final episode to the season.


I hope it gets renewed and we can find out how she got on with her lawyers if TMZ don't break the news first.



Edit; Second season talks are on.

When Leah appeared on ABC's 20/20 just days before the season finale, it was revealed that talks of a second season are underway. But until a final decision is made, the self-proclaimed troublemaker has some plans of her own.

http://www.eonline.com/news/821046/what-s-next-for-leah-remini-and-the-church-of-scientology-following-a-e-s-shocking-docu-series

Yggr of Asgard

It was interesting to see how the journalists interacted with Mike Rinder and how he called them his personal friends.

In any case, let's see if their is a second season or if there is any news about the meeting with the lawyers that comes out in the meantime.

It just continue to surprise me how the government can continue to allow made up mad people (and I'm including other religions I that one too) to range free just in the name of free speech and give these people who clearly run an enterprise tax exempt status. 

Yggr of Asgard

Agent Coulson wrote: »

I should have said that was the final episode to the season.]

I'm not sure if this really was the final of the season.

AETV shows an episode called "Apostate" as S01E09 for 24 January 1000 PM ET.

The Summary is "Leah shares her personal story of her connection with the COS, charting her exposure to it at an early age, through her rise as a celebrity and opinion leader, to her misgivings and eventual break with the church".

Some TV schedules show S01E08 "Heretic" for the same time slot which makes sense giving that we had S01E07 last. 

So there clearly will be another Episode coming, but the number of AETV of S01E09 makes me confused.

Anyhow, I'm looking forward to that episode as it gives an insight into why she is doing this.

Mr E

Last week (episode 6) had a DOG at the bottom of the screen that said the next episode was the finale. Hard to what to believe.

Regardless, the latest episode felt like the one before the finale, not the finale itself. It was a weird and unsatisfactory place to end.

Agent Coulson

It was just a second AMA from what I can see I will check the A&E app when I get in later to see if that's all it is.


Edit; Yes it's just a second AMA episode not a season finale episode.

Yggr of Asgard

S01E08 was an AMA (part 2) and S01E09 which airs on 24 January 1000 PM ET is as I outlined above. That than will be the season finale.

Agent Coulson

No episode shown this week.

Mr E

Renewed for a 10 episode second season.

http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/leah-remini-scientology-aftermath-renewed-season-2-1202009388/

Agent Coulson

There was a standalone episode last night in the States titled

Merchants of Fear.

Leah Remini and Mike Rinder explore the historical relationship between the Church of Scientology and its often vocal critics; guests describe their experiences investigating controversial stories about the Church, and how the Church responded.

It became clear to us that although we were telling painful stories of former members of the Church of Scientology, this show was resonating strongly with people everywhere. The show is really about standing up for what is right and not letting bullies have their way. I feel it is important for people to know that you can take action to bring about change, both for yourself and for others. Our intention is to send a clear message to abusers that they will not go unchecked and will not be permitted to continue harming people without being questioned and challenged. We have been deluged with messages from those who have stories to tell who feel the show is a forum where their voices can be heard. We have been overwhelmed with support from well-wishers and fans of the show from around the world. But most importantly we felt compelled to proceed with another season to continue to reveal truths and seek justice for all victims.

Agent Coulson

Season 2 starts Tuesday, August 15th on A&E.

The second season will include 10 hour-long episodes that will further explore accounts of former Scientology members whose lives have been significantly impacted by the Church’s practices.

The new season will continue to follow Remini, along with former high ranking Scientology employees and Church members, as they delve into stories of abuse and heartbreak. This season stories will include losing loved ones to suicide, growing up in the Church’s paramilitary organization (The Sea Organization), and Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis’ own harrowing personal journey.

http://deadline.com/2017/07/premiere-date-leah-remini-scientology-and-the-aftermath-1202132218/

Agent Coulson

It won best reality-series at the TCA's last night.

Yggr of Asgard

Episode 1 of Season 2 is now available and it's not good news for the Church if any of these claims are true.

How Mike Rinder sleeps at night is really not clear to me, he has done some crazy stuff while in the church.