Cults and Extreme Belief
GenreDocumentary
Presented byElizabeth Vargas
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes9
Production
Executive producers
  • Aaron Saidman
  • Alex Weresow
  • Amy Savitsky
  • Elaine Frontain Bryant
  • Eli Holzman
  • Evan Lerner
  • Rachelle Mendez
Running time41-43 minutes
Production companyThe Intellectual Property Corporation
Original release
NetworkA&E
ReleaseMay 28 (2018-05-28) –
July 22, 2018 (2018-07-22)

Cults and Extreme Belief (also known as A&E Investigates: Cults and Extreme Belief) is an American documentary series on A&E.[1] The show premiered on May 28, 2018, and is hosted by Elizabeth Vargas and the first under A&E Original's A&E Investigates journalistic banner.[2] Each episode examines the world of fringe religions and organizations, alongside their former members.[3][4]

Episodes

No.TitleOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"NXIVM"May 28, 2018 (2018-05-28)1020.89[5]
A former recruiter for multilevel marketing self-help group NXIVM, Sarah Edmondson exposes the organization as a destructive sex cult in October 2017 and works to support the criminal prosecution of the cult's leader, Keith Raniere.
2"Jehovah's Witnesses"May 29, 2018 (2018-05-29)1010.72[6]
Former Jehovah's Witness Romy Maple, a survivor of child sexual abuse, embarks on a journey to uncover why her pleas for justice were systematically ignored by top members of the organization. Former Jehovah's Witness Bethelite Barbara Anderson reveals evidence of CSA cover-ups which she uncovered while working at the world headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses.
3"Children of God"June 5, 2018 (2018-06-05)1060.51[7]
Amy Bril recounts her childhood growing up in the Children of God, a group notorious for pedophilia and religious prostitution; Amy and others born and raised in the group band together to address a suicide epidemic among fellow survivors.
4"U.N.O.I."June 12, 2018 (2018-06-12)1030.51[8]
Forced into child labor, physical abuse and squalid living conditions while growing up in the United Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad seeks justice for himself and the other children abused by UNOI and the teachings of its leader, Royall Jenkins.
5"World Peace and Unification Sanctuary"June 19, 2018 (2018-06-19)1070.45[9]
Former "Moonie" Teddy Hose attempts to alert the public to a gun-obsessed Unification Church offshoot known as the Sanctuary Church of Newfoundland, Penn., which preaches an extreme gospel and guns at the center of worship.
6"Twelve Tribes"June 26, 2018 (2018-06-26)1040.45[10]
Despite their hippie persona and rustic community businesses, the Twelve Tribes stand accused of abusing children and subjugating women; disconnected from her family, ex-member Samie Brosseau works to expose the organization's abusive practices.
7"FLDS"July 3, 2018 (2018-07-03)1050.45[11]
Many believed that when Warren Jeffs was sentenced to life in prison for child sexual assault, the problems within the FLDS community would be solved; instead, devoted followers are forced to fend for themselves in a world they were taught to fear.
8"The Survivors Speak Part 1"July 15, 2018 (2018-07-15)1080.51[12]
Former members of different groups meet to discuss their shared experiences with Elizabeth Vargas.
9"The Survivors Speak Part 2"July 22, 2018 (2018-07-22)1090.38[13]
Former members of different groups meet to discuss their shared experiences with Elizabeth Vargas.

References

  1. ^ "Elizabeth Vargas talks about investigating NXIVM for new series "Cults and Extreme Belief"". Newsweek. May 28, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  2. ^ "Elizabeth Vargas Signs Overall Deal With A+E Networks". TheWrap. April 18, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  3. ^ "Cults and Extreme Belief: Elizabeth Vargas Series Coming to A&E This Month (Video) - canceled TV shows - TV Series Finale". canceled TV shows - TV Series Finale. May 9, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  4. ^ Petski, Denise (May 4, 2018). "'Cults & Extreme Belief': A&E Investigates To Focus On NXIVM In Series Premiere". Deadline. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  5. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (May 30, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.28.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 2, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  6. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (May 31, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.29.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 4, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  7. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (June 6, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.5.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 10, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  8. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (June 13, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.12.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  9. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (June 20, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.19.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  10. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (June 27, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.26.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  11. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (July 5, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.3.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on July 5, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  12. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (July 17, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.15.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  13. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (July 24, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.22.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
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