Could Remini’s beef with Scientology apply to other faiths?
Now in its second season, “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath: The Conversation Continues” (8 p.m., A&E, TV-14) continues to profile disillusioned former members of the Church of Scientology and their tales of terrible treatment at the hands of church officials.
In tonight’s helping, Remini challenges the organization’s promise that it helps members make sense of a chaotic world and members’ claims that Scientology saved their lives or helped them focus on their careers. She offers refutation with stories of followers who suffered depression or even suicidal thoughts while under Scientology’s spell.
Remini’s argument — that Scientology doesn’t “work” — could probably be lodged against any religious organization. Taking a leap of faith probably removes one from the jurisdiction of the Better Business Bureau.
What is strange about “Aftermath,” is that one particular church’s malcontents have been given a weekly showcase to air their grievances. Would a similar series profiling lapsed Catholics, embittered Evangelicals, ex-Mormons or bankrupt followers of “Prosperity” ministers be as popular or as compelling?
Given the number of money-raising “religious” series on television, there’s got to be an audience for those who feel they have been underserved, abused or bamboozled.
A harrowing example of people taking a stand against a church that failed to protect them can be found on the seven-part Netflix series “The Keepers,” a true-life tale of former students of a Catholic girls’ school looking for the killer of their favorite nun and discovering a conspiracy of silence and widespread abuse.
DISNEY DOC
“American Experience” (8 p.m., PBS, TV-PG) repeats its 2015 documentary “Walt Disney,” a two-part profile of the artistic entrepreneur. This generally positive biography showcases a driven Midwesterner who innovated and even revolutionized at least three fields of big business while putting a very personal stamp on the American dream.
With Mickey Mouse in 1928, he turned the animated short into franchised gold. His 1938 “Snow White” demonstrated how animation could hold its own with motion pictures. As Americans grew more prosperous in the post-World War II era, Disney was there to offer them televised
fantasies as well as theme parks that promised a Space Age future and “A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” while at the same time extolling the virtues of Main Street, USA.
Part one covers Disney’s life and art through “Snow White,” “Bambi” and “Fantasia.” “Disney” continues and concludes on Sept. 5. On Sept. 8, PBS’ “American Masters” will profile animator Tyrus Wong, whose work on “Bambi” reflected a major change in style for the Disney studios.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
› A dozen acts perform live on “America’s Got Talent” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
› Nancy Sinatra sings the theme song to the 1967 Bond adventure “You Only Live Twice” (8 p.m., Starz Encore), starring Sean Connery.
› Courtroom competition with a whiff of romance on “Bull” (9 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-14).
› The search for the tattooed man gathers speed on “Somewhere Between” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
› Couples discuss their first encounters and how they grew to know each other on the new series “Black Love” (10 p.m., OWN).
› Gibbs goes undercover on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-14).
› Cahill needs help on “Lethal Weapon” (8 p.m., Fox, repeat, TV-14).
› Couples cavort on “Bachelor in Paradise” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
› Abra Kadabra arrives on “The Flash” (8 p.m., CW, repeat, TV-PG).
› Ben’s big day on “The Mick” (9 p.m., Fox, repeat, TV-14).
› A serious flashback on “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” (9 p.m., CW, repeat, TV-14).
› Gina Gershon guest-stars on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (9:30 p.m., Fox, repeat, TV-14).
› Thieves seize Navy weapons on “NCIS: New Orleans” (10 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-14).
› Jane Lynch hosts “Hollywood Game Night” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).