‘Cultureshock’ Documentary Series Preview Monday On A&E

Monday, July 9 at 9pm ET/PT: “The Rise of Trash TV” – This documentary takes a look at the rise of the raw and salacious real-life television theater of tabloid talk shows like “The Jerry Springer Show” and “Geraldo.” The film explores how these series laid the groundwork for reality television shows today. Featuring interviews with Jerry Springer, Sally Jessy Raphael, Geraldo Rivera, Laura Grindstaff, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Maury Povich and more, “The Rise of Trash TV” tells the inside story of how this new wave of television emerged and its lasting cultural impact.

Monday, July 16 at 9pm ET/PT: “Freaks and Geeks: The Documentary” – Brent Hodge (“I Am Chris Farley”) directs a profile of the cult classic series and original dramedy, “Freaks and Geeks,” that captured the sad yet humorous difficulties of teenage life, and for the first time, offered protagonists who weren’t stereotypical “jocks and brains.” Cancelled after just one season, the series holds the unique position of still ranking high on Time Magazine’s Greatest 100 Television Shows of All Time. The series, created by Paul Feig and executive produced by Judd Apatow, launched the careers of Seth Rogan, Jason Segel and many other A-list actors. The film features interviews with Feig, Apatow, Rogan, Segel, Linda Cardellini, Busy Philipps, and most of the primary cast who discuss their time on the series and beyond. Also interviewed are the NBC executives who commissioned “Freaks and Geeks,” plus former NBC Entertainment President Garth Ancier, who ultimately cancelled the series. “Freaks and Geeks: The Documentary” premiered at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival.