‘To Catch a Predator’ Became a Ratings Sensation By Exposing Internet Sex Predators. A New Sundance Documentary Examines Its Complicated Legacy

by

In the early 2000s, much like many other Americans, documentary filmmaker David Osit found himself captivated by the TV show “To Catch a Predator”. This program featured investigative journalist Chris Hansen and law enforcement in undercover operations, targeting adults who were attempting to engage in sexual activity with minors.

He confesses that it was both captivating and peculiar, yet oddly irresistible. In numerous aspects, it served as a blueprint for today’s true crime television series.

However, he hadn’t given NBC’s series much consideration until many years passed, when he stumbled upon an article regarding Bill Conradt, a Texas assistant district attorney who took his life in 2007 following a police warrant related to one of Hansen’s online investigations targeting suspected pedophiles. Hansen and his team were present at the scene when Conradt ended his life. The episode eventually aired, but NBC’s journalism was heavily criticized for crossing ethical boundaries, and Conradt’s family filed a lawsuit. “To Catch a Predator” was taken off the air the following year. This story sparked Osit’s curiosity, leading him to delve deeper into the show’s impact. He found a small but passionate online fanbase of “To Catch a Predator.” They had gathered, using FOIA requests, raw footage from the production of the show. Watching this footage left him feeling disoriented.

He recalls that observing it was unlike any other emotional encounter. The unrefined footage stirred feelings of sadness within him for those men, emotions he had never experienced while watching the program. Yet, reading their chat logs left him repulsed once more. However, listening to their phone conversations with a decoy would prompt sympathy from him yet again. Thus, this emotional rollercoaster within me led me to contemplate how intriguing it could be to base a movie around this experience for an audience.

Osit’s investigation into “To Catch a Predator” culminated in the production of a new documentary titled “Predators,” which will debut at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. This film includes interviews with Hansen, along with numerous individuals associated with the show, such as adult actors who posed as teenagers and law enforcement personnel who made arrests. The completed work sparks intriguing, at times unsettling discussions about the delicate boundary that can exist between journalism and vigilantism, as well as our peculiar attraction to tales of depravity.

Often, true crime TV shows reach a point where they validate people’s existing fears,” he notes. “They reinforce the belief that law enforcement is our primary defense against societal issues. In essence, these shows suggest that the police are the ones who can mend society when things go wrong. However, there’s an alternative scenario that could be presented in a show like ‘To Catch A Predator’. Instead of just arresting the offenders, they could also encounter a battalion of therapists ready to help them deal with their issues and heal from their past traumas.

Osit is stating that it’s important to clarify that he doesn’t believe Osit minimizes the abhorrent actions of child sexual predators. Instead, his concern lies with the show “To Catch a Predator,” which he feels may not delve deeply into understanding what motivates these individuals to act on their reprehensible urges. Furthermore, he questions whether such a program, intended to serve the public good, can also be considered entertainment.

He points out that everyone has an inherent sense of morality, encompassing concepts like good, bad, right, wrong, and evil. However, we all possess both empathy and cruelty within us to varying degrees. This duality is fundamental to our civilization. The show, he observed, effectively utilized this concept as a means of captivating audiences. In fact, many reality TV shows, true crime programs, and documentaries share this ability. There’s a version of this movie that could have presented clear-cut right vs. wrong. But instead, it delved into a more intricate range of emotions, avoiding simple binaries.

Osit acknowledges that “To Catch a Predator” did accomplish some of its stated goals.

It’s clear that these individuals were apprehended for violating the law by supposedly contacting minors,” he explains. “Consequently, they were detained, imprisoned, and added to the sex offender registry. That much is accurate. However, what I find intriguing is the broader implications for our society. Did this action address the root of the problem? Is it meant to prevent potential predators from becoming such in the future? Does it provide victims with a sense of security? We lock them up, but do we then step back and consider the issue systemically? Do we ask how this cycle continues?

Similarly, certain online platforms feature imitators who mimic Chris Hansen’s approach, luring suspected sexual offenders into staged encounters and publicly exposing them for a large audience.

Osit notes that these aren’t typical television shows; instead, they’re raw, live-streamed content. He expresses genuine concern because it involves ordinary people interacting with others. In some footage, you might witness a person being harassed or attacked, and the camera crew will simply depart. There have been cases where this activity has resulted in fatalities for both participants and those behind the cameras. It’s a risky endeavor, he warns.

20 years after “To Catch a Predator” stopped airing, Hansen continues his work. In 2020, he co-founded TruBlu, a true crime streaming service, and still hosts programs featuring undercover operations. The true crime style he pioneered has led to an abundance of movies, documentaries, shows, and podcasts.

Osit notes that this medium, which seems to grip us strongly, remains a mystery to us. Many shows depict the world using clear-cut contrasts, like night and day. However, he prefers viewing it with a more nuanced perspective, where shades of gray are more prominent.

Read More

2025-01-26 20:47