Heads up for what promises to be a chilling series premier on A&E tonight at 10pm. It's time for a whole new generation of juvenile delinquents to shocked out of their ear-buds by a taste of life in the Big House. Beyond Scared Straight takes up where 1978 best documentary Oscar winner "Scared Straight" left off. Incorrigible teenage kids who are on the path to destruction are taken inside a prison to hear/feel/see what life will be like for them if they don't change their evil, evil ways.Personal note: I recall my first year working at KTLA-TV in Los Angeles when Director Arnold Shapiro won the Academy Award for his ground breaking film "Scared Straight". He walked into the lobby waving the gold Oscar statue around like a baton, and I got to hold it. In case you're wondering, an Oscar is super heavy.
Tonight's 90 minute opening episode takes place in Chowchilla, the California women's prison. If you click on the website link above, you'll get a sneak peak of what happens when some cocky youngsters get a cold, hard glimpse of reality behind bars. It's not for the faint of heart. These are not Martha Stewart prisoners, ladies and gentlemen. Who knew women could have so many home made tattoos?
Take a look at the promo below. Compelling television. And if it keeps one kid on the straight and narrow, all the better!
I certainly remember Arnold winning his Oscar and did tune for some of last night's show. Clearly the need for this kind of juvenile outreach hasn't lessened at all. Such a sad world for kids who go bad, hope this helps at least a few of them!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads-up on this interesting/important special!