To Catch Ratings…And A Few Predators

For those that do not know, To Catch a Predator is the greatest show on the NBC network. The basic premise is that this division of Dateline hires a social activist group, Perverted Justice, to talk to men (and perhaps women) online about all things sexual while the group pretends to be underage boys or girls. The decoys then invite the predator to a sting operation in which the actual police arrest them. However, before the arrest is made, our intrepid reporter, Chris Hansen, interviews them about their intent on coming to the house and other information which drives ratings higher.

The show sounds like a good idea in that it takes perverts off the streets. Yet, somewhere between the altruistic intent of finding the perverts and arresting them the show loses its commendable objective. For example, in one show the predator is in the house talking to the decoy. The decoy asks if he ever ‘did it’ on a pool table. Chris Hansen’s voice over then takes over to say that we, the viewers at home, will not get a chance to see the man’s billiard skills. During the ensuing interview, Hansen is surprised that the man claims he is religious. He then asks the man if having sex with 13 year old girls is part of his beliefs. Keeping on the topic of religion, a different predator brings up his faith. Hansen responds by reading dirty chat logs and asks if those passages are in the Old or New Testament. In another episode, the man that comes to the decoy house is a science teacher. That fact is repeated over and over so that Hansen’s voice over has a humorous effect… “This science teacher is still hoping for a biological reaction.” Simply great journalism. Ironically, this predator had mentioned the Dateline show in the chat. In still another episode, Hansen asked a predator if he had seen the show and when answered in the affirmative, the follow up question is whether he likes the show. The predator responds “It’s a pretty good show.”

After the question and answer session ends, Hansen announces that he is doing a story for Dateline, which apparently never ends or changes. Once he says this, the crew of five or six men emerges into the room and virtually surrounds the predator. Usually, a predator decides to leave or ask Hansen what they should do next. He tells them they are free to leave, but leaves out the fact that police are waiting for them.

One thing that really irritates me as a viewer is when Hansen repeats the chat transcript, but bleeps out certain words. For instance, “I wnat you to ---- my ----.” [sic] What is dotted out? I don’t know. Dateline also repeatedly shows the nude pictures the predators send to the decoy, but they are always blurred. What’s the point of showing a picture of a predator masturbating if you are going to blur it out? When one predator says he likes to play, the decoy responds with the naïve “Play what?” The response is “I like to ---- ----.” What the hell does that mean? Throw us a bone Hansen!

After the predators leave the house and are arrested, Dateline either films or obtains footage of the official police interrogation. Usually, the men claim that “honestly” they were not going to do anything illegal. Too late, it’s illegal to use a computer to seduce a minor in the state that the sting takes place! Many seem regretful, others seem ashamed. However, the fun does not end once they are at the police station. One conversation went as follows.

Police: Do you talk to a lot of underage people online?
Predator: I talk to everyone.
Police: And do you send them pornographic pictures and videos?
Predator: Yeah.
Police: And of you masturbating?
Predator: That’s unfortunate.

It sure is! I bet the Dateline staff is laughing at the unblurred image of your staff.

While To Catch a Predator does expose potential child molesters and probably forces some sort of mark on their record, its primary purpose is to generate ratings. For this reason, and for this reason alone, the show deserves harsh criticism. The style in which the show is made also deserves criticism for its haughty commentary. While some might see this series as nothing more than apropos of modern times, it is somewhat painful to watch knowing that they are making money off the, albeit well deserved, misery of others.

Where others have failed, you can learn. What you can learn by watching this show.
1. Find out if you can be arrested for seducing a minor with a computer in your state. If yes, move.
2. The decoys are all 18 or older, but pretend to be minors online. You should also pretend to be a minor until you can confirm your targets real age.
3. Meet your chat buddy in public pursuant to #2.
4. What are you reading these tips for, Sicko! You disgust me and should be executed or at the least exiled to Thailand. Why Thailand? You won’t know if it’s a young girl or a young boy. Feel lucky today? And if that’s your thing, get out of America anyway.