R. Kelly's ex-wife Andrea Kelly
With our 2019 technology you'd think big American networks would be able to deliver Big Impact TV to the world at the same time, but no, we still get third rate treatment from them. Bah!
In this case, it's the broadcast of the controversial documentary Surviving R. Kelly, which debuted on American TV on 3 January this year with an after quake that shook the world.
It aired on Lifetime in the US but it's airing on Crime + Investigation in South Africa - only from Wednesday, 6 February.
It starts at 20h00 and will air in a double bill, at 20h00 and 20h50.
There are six episodes in total and the remaining four will air weekly at 20h00, with the finale on 6 March.
The week after its premiere it's going be followed by a documentary about the accusations against Harvey Weinstein and Sexual Predators in Hollywood.
It's called The Harvey Weinstein Scandal and will air on Wednesday, 13 February at 20h50, after the third episode of Surviving R. Kelly.
Here's a description of each, with a trailer:
Surviving R. Kelly
Surviving R. Kelly delves behind one of the biggest scandals in music to date - with women emerging from the shadows and uniting their voices to share their stories of abuse at the hands of musician R. Kelly.
The show has been met with reaction from international stars including Lady Gaga, who has apologised for once collaborating with the singer (in 2013). South Africa's Pearl Thusi and Jimmy Nevis have called for a boycott of him and his music.
Celebrated by many as one of the greatest R&B singers of all time, the 52- year old’s career and playboy lifestyle has been riddled with rumours of abuse, predatory behaviour, and paedophilia. In 2002 he was indicted on 21 counts of child pornography but was acquitted of all charges in 2008.
Now, for the first time, survivors and people from R. Kelly’s inner circle, are coming forward with new allegations about his sexual, mental, and physical abuse.
With over 50 interviews including civil rights activist Tarana Burke, musicians John Legend and Sparkle, talk-show host and former DJ Wendy Williams, ex-wife Andrea Kelly, brothers Carey and Bruce Kelly, and many others, the story of R. Kelly’s controversial past is revealed beginning in 1970 through present day.
The premiere episode explores his rise to fame and power as an R&B icon where he formed relationships with younger singers and dancers including marriage to his then 15-year old
protégé Aliyah.
Trailer:
The Harvey Weinstein Scandal
The documentary examines the rise and fall of Hollywood media mogul Harvey Weinstein and other men in power. It explores milestones from Weinstein’s life, career, relationships and his rise to mega stardom. It reveals the creation and many successes of Miramax and The Weinstein Company.
On October 4, 2017 a New York Times article lit the spark detailing the personal stories of sexual assault victims of Harvey Weinstein. Now that spark has become a blaze and is shedding light on three decades of abuse by Weinstein and other dominant figures.
The documentary takes a deep look inside Hollywood and the abuse by powerful men in the industry and includes exclusive interviews with people who knew Weinstein, women who have come face to face with him and re-enactment scenes.
Weinstein is to stand trial in New York this May on five charges including rape. He is alleged to have sexually assaulted over 70 women dating back decades. He has denied all these accusations citing that any sexual encounters were consensual.