‘8’ keeps company with sleazy TV fare
It says something about our attention spans that A&E has devolved from “The First 48” (8 p.m.) to “8 Minutes” (9 p.m.). As we’ve been told for years, the 48 in “48” indicates the two-day period that murder investigators have to wrap up an investigation before evidence grows cold.
“8 Minutes” has an ent i rely different agenda to go with its abbreviated stopwatch. Police of f icer-t u r ned-pa stor Kevin Brown (and a camera crew) travel the mean streets of America to intervene in the lives of prostitutes. The ladies of the night agree to meet with him in hotel rooms, where, they assume, he’s out for a sexual assignation. Instead, he uses his time to try to talk them out of the working life. He only gives himself eight minutes, because after t hat, pimps tend to get suspicious — making matters dangerous for Brown and his wouldbe rescue.
Brown hopes this series will help its documented subjects and shed light on the problem of sex trafficking around the world.
“8 Minutes” has a lready received attention, much of it negative, and drawn protests f rom a curious coalition. Some a rg ue that not all sex workers are victims and that they should be left alone. Others in the religious community contend that Brown is demeaning t he idea of ministering to prostitutes by turning t hem i nto spectacles for television voyeurism and “entertainment.”
Documenting the vulnerable for programming has become common fodder for A&E. The network has aired “Intervention” for years and has showcased the clearly mentally ill with its long-running “Hoarders” series.
Pastor Brown can defend his own motivations, but “8 Minutes” is already in some pretty sleazy company.
We’ve yet to see what happens when Ragnar and his gang of marauders get to Paris. But we can say for certain that “Vikings” (9 p.m., History) will return for a fourth season.
If the second season of “Vikings” was about “Godfather”-like alliances, season three has concentrated on the implications of the Norsemen’s collision with Christian culture. Last season, Floki (Gusta f Skarsgard) thought that Ragnar was treating him like Fredo Corleone. This season, Floki frets t hat Ragnar’s flirtation with the God of the Cross may put Odin and Thor in peril. After all, what good are gods when nobody believes?
Speaking of old gods and the drama they inspire, Syfy debuts “Olympus” (9 p.m.) set among the gods and mortals of ancient Greece. Asking viewers to choose between this and “Vikings” seems like an act of programming hubris. Not available for review.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
A teacher is found dead amidst book stacks on “Bones” (7 p.m., WHBQ-TV Channel 13).
Students on a field trip get an eyeful of something awful on “Grey’s Anatomy” (7 p.m., WATN-TV Channel 24).
A con artist targets t he wealt hy on “The Blacklist” (8 p.m., WMCTV Channel 5).
AWOL from rehab, a witness turns up dead on “Backstrom” (8 p.m., WHBQ-TV Channel 13).
David continues his war on B613 on “Scandal” (8 p.m., WATN-TV Channel 24).
A homicidal hack targets the competition on “Elementary” (9 p.m., WREG-TV Channel 3).
Tales from Richie’s past may be his undoing on the season finale of “The Slap” (9 p.m., WMC-TV Channel 5).
Carter jumps bail on “American Crime” (9 p.m., WATN-TV Channel 24).
“The Red Road” (9 p.m., Sundance) returns for a second season.