A&E Network's "Beyond Scared Straight," the Emmy-nominated series that profiles unique crime prevention programs aimed at deterring troubled teens from jail, premieres its ninth and final 11-episode season on Thursday, June 25 at 9PM ET/PT, immediately followed by the series premiere of the new original documentary series "American Takedown," from executive producer Morgan Spurlock, at 10PM ET/PT.
Inspired by "Scared Straight!," the Academy Award and multiple Emmy-winning documentary film by Arnold Shapiro, "Beyond Scared Straight" follows teens who pride themselves on bad behavior ranging from theft, drugs, promiscuity, gang affiliation, violence and arson. These defiant teens are forced to spend a day (and sometimes a night) in jail, interacting with convicted felons who give them first-hand experience of life behind bars with the hope that they see where the path of destruction they are headed down could lead them. Since the series' inception in 2009, 'Beyond Scared Straight' has profiled 331 teens in crime prevention programs in 29 prisons and jails across the county.
"While it is sad when a successful series ends, I've decided that it's time for 'Beyond Scared Straight' to come to a close," said series creator and executive producer Arnold Shapiro. "I am so proud of the teenage lives that have been changed and even saved over our 83 episodes and six years of production. It gave kids who were heading down the wrong path a preview of their future and a road map on how to change it. Happily, the majority of them made life-altering adjustments to their dangerous behavior."
In the season 9 premiere of "Beyond Scared Straight", James, an aggressive 15-year-old whose attacks on his mother have forced her to use a Taser and pepper-spray in self-defense, is sending him on a tour of the harsh Fulton County jail in Georgia. 16-year-old Darica finds her boyfriend is incarcerated at the jail she is visiting and reveals to him that she thinks she is pregnant. The series finale, "Beyond Scared Straight: Lights Out" will air on Thursday, August 27 as a special retrospective of infamous teens, memorable one-liners, explosive moments, the most bleeped episode and biggest turnarounds in series' history.
From executive producer Morgan Spurlock, "American Takedown" is a documentary series showcasing highly specialized tactical law enforcement units across the U.S. that protect and serve against some of the most cunning and dangerous criminals in the country. The series gives an inside look at the unique and critical work that America's top investigators, specialists and agents carry out to keep our nation safe. Each week, a different police force and the crime worlds they investigate will be profiled. The cases featured will include Utah's S.E.C.U.R.E. Strike Force's probe into a resident procuring fake government papers for undocumented immigrant workers; the Florida Department of Financial Services' Auto Fraud Squad's inquiry into a local insurance fraud ring being run out of a chiropractor's office; and the Humane Society of the United States' investigation of a man suspected of breeding, training, and selling dogs for dog fights in Tennessee.
In the series premiere episode of "American Takedown," The US Coast Guard's Maritime Safety and Security Team must track down a go-fast boat smuggling over $7 million worth of cocaine before it is brought into the US.
"Beyond Scared Straight" is produced by Arnold Shapiro Productions for A&E Network. Executive Producers are Arnold Shapiro and Paul J. Coyne. Executive producer for A&E is Laura Fleury.
"American Takedown" is produced by Warrior Poets for A&E Network. Executive producers for Warrior Poets are Morgan Spurlock, Jeremy Chilnick, Matthew Galkin and Ethan Goldman. A&E executive producers are Brad Abramson and Evan Lerner.
