It took weeks of harsh criticism, low ratings and one extremely damaging Buzzfeed article, but the reality series “8 Minutes” is officially gone from A&E’s schedule.
The network confirmed that the “high stakes” show, which followed cop-turned-pastor Kevin Brown as he coerced sex workers and victims of sex trafficking to leave the trade for a better life, will not air its remaining three episodes.
Each week, Brown would pose as a client in a hotel room. Once the sex worker arrived, a camera crew appeared (as did a victim’s advocate) and Brown tried to persuade the woman to escape her situation and promised to help. The “eight minutes” is the maximum amount of time a woman can decide to leave with Brown’s team before her safety is in jeopardy.
The show pulled in few viewers. Then a story appeared Monday night on Buzzfeed, in which several women featured on the series alleged that after producers said they would provide professional help and privacy, the show didn’t deliver on either promise.
“This show, these people, it’s a disaster in my life,” a woman named Kamylla told the site. “I kept on calling them, and nothing happened.” She said that even though producers promised “medical, dental, housing and employment” help, she received $200 and then radio silence. Later, she said, when she was forced to turn back to sex work to make money, she was arrested on prostitution charges.
A&E had no comment on the allegations, though a representative confirmed that “8 Minutes” has been pulled from the schedule. (Episodes were also taken off the show’s website.) When reached at his church in Orange County, California, Brown initially said he did not read the Buzzfeed article and then said all other questions should be directed to A&E. Executive producer Tom Forman also had no comment.
The idea for the show originated when the Los Angeles Times ran a story about Brown, at the time the head of Safe Passage OC, a religion-based nonprofit to help former sex workers. On its Facebook page, Safe Passage said it is no longer affiliated with Brown, his church or “8 Minutes.”
Emily Yahr, The Washington Post
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