« Assessing Obama and McCain's TV picks | Main | Olympics opening ceremony reviews »


August 08, 2008

A&E shot pilot with controversial Christian biker gang

A&E prides itself on its gritty, street-level reality shows. Now it's gotten involved with an outfit that might be too hardcore even for the home of "Intervention" and "Dog the Bounty Hunter."

The network has been developing a reality show with the controversial Christian motorcycle gang Set Free Soldiers, a group whose leader and six members were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of attempted murder.

The arrests stem from a July 27 double stabbing that occurred during a barfight between the Anaheim-based group and members of Hells Angels. The bikers were rounded up during a series of raids by SWAT teams and federal drug enforcement agents.

The A&E project, working titled "Saints and Sinners," was ordered from production companies the Firm (A&E's "Criss Angel: Mindfreak") and Outfit Media Group.

An A&E spokesperson said a pilot was shot a couple months ago and that the network doesn't believe that any of the bikers involved in the show were among those who were arrested.

Sources said "Saints" centers around a SFS halfway house where bikers reform alcoholics and drug addicts. A&E had hoped the project would make a proper companion for tough-love shows such as "Intervention" and "Dog."

The Los Angeles Times reported that the gang is described on its now-defunct Web site as "a group of men who love Jesus and love to ride hard."

Though no decision has been made on the show, it seems unlikely that A&E will proceed with the project, especially since members of the "Dog" cast have been plagued with legal issues that have drawn negative publicity to that show.

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451d69069e200e553d5d0b58833

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference A&E shot pilot with controversial Christian biker gang:










Sign up for The Live Feed daily email newsletter:

If you wish to only receive the morning ratings, get the Hollywood Reporter's ratings alert.
Follow us on Twitter;
Subscribe using RSS.
New: The Live Feed mobile-friendly version.
Get headlines delivered to your Google or Yahoo homepage:
 Add to Google Reader or Homepage





Ain't It Cool News - Coaxial
Deadline Hollywood Daily
Drudge Report
Fancast
Fark: Showbiz
Gawker
Hollywood Reporter
Hollywood Wiretap
Huffington Post
Just Jared
Lisa de Moraes
Michael Ausiello
NielsenWire
NY Post: Vulture
Perez Hilton
Pop Candy
Reality Blurred
Television Without Pity
Televisionary
The Futon Critic
The Wrap
THR BLOGS: Heat Vision Blog
THR BLOGS: Hollywood Reporter Pilot Log
THR BLOGS: Risky Business
THR BLOGS: Buzz
THR BLOGS: THR, Esq.
Tim Goodman: The Bastard Machine
Time's Tuned In
TV Barn
TV by the Numbers
TV Decoder
TV Squad
TV Tattle
TV Tracker
Warming Glow

The Hollywood Reporter is Your Complete Film Resource

The columnists and bloggers who write for The Hollywood Reporter have their collective finger on the pulse of the boxoffice. From Martin Grove and the rest, THR columnists deliver their thoughts on the film industry in an uncompromised style. Subscribe to THR today and get the latest views from these film experts and get the latest movie reviews as well.