Dateline NBC’s To Catch a Predator franchise has become one of my guilty pleasures. They should have a channel where the programming is all about luring perverts into a house and getting them on camera. They should team it up with Law & Order, NBC’s only other bankable cash cow. They could get rid of CNBC and show nothing but Law & Order reruns in all incarnations alternating between Dateline’s various online stings.
On the other hand, I’m also a fan of certain criminals. Specifically, I like the grifters. This probably goes back toThe Rockford Files, but I love me some con games. Anything with Ricky Jay, I’m there. Especially if it is written by David Mamet.
These worlds collided with a con so fantastic in its conception, yet so simple it has been right here in front of us. Two grifters started their own To Catch a Predator deal and fleeced the pervs out of their money. Fucking brilliant!
Banking on the fact that sexual relations with minors is a felony crime, often resulting in lengthy prison terms, the couple would rob the men — explaining that if they did not do what was asked, they would turn the predator’s photograph or video in to authorities along with a transcript of the Internet conversation.
If that wasn’t persuasive enough, Mr. Barnett and up to seven possible accomplices were waiting with baseball bats.
July 20, 2006 at 3:16 am |
And you ran this above the poat below?
July 20, 2006 at 3:24 pm |
Like you I’m completely enamoured of heist movies. (Notable exception: Ocean’s 12)Have you ever seen Foolproof with Ryan Reynolds? That’s actually a pretty good entry in the heist/con genre.
July 21, 2006 at 4:07 am |
No, but I will check it out.