I recently spoke with my old friend Dr. Susie Meister on her Brain Candy podcast. Susie has interviewed me before and it’s always enjoyable and she asks the best questions. She may not look like the stereotypical Religious Studies PhD, but she is one smart cookie. She is perhaps more well-known for her MTV reality show appearances back before she became a religious scholar, and in this case we talked a lot about “reality” TV and making The Aftermath.
Interestingly, and entirely coincidentally, Susie’s husband, Adam, was a Sound Engineer on The Aftermath. He is as nice and as smart as she is.
You can listen to the podcast here— it’s just over half an hour. Hope you enjoy it.
I hadn’t realized that my two favorite podcasts had gotten together like this. I love it. Can’t wait for your book Mike!
I went to high school with Susie. She was the year ahead of me – she graduated with my brother. I remember when she did road rules…. it was pretty cool to recognize someone on TV. A few years ago I remember her doing something (maybe a podcast) with some of the moms from Dance Moms (show filmed in Pittsburgh- our hometown) and I think she was getting her PhD at that time. Anyway, I remember them being funny. I look forward to listening.
What really piqued my interest in this post was the comment about Susie having participated in an MTV “reality” show. I hadn’t thought about The Real World or Road Rules for eons now. It seemed like a cool thing to participate in when I was in junior high and I remember watching both series from 1998 to 2000 (I can’t say I have distinct memories of the season of Road Rules that Susie was on, but I definitely know I watched it at the time). By the time I hit high school I was flabbergasted that I had ever thought those shows entertaining. It was obvious that the shows’ goals weren’t to reflect any type of reality about college-age young adults, but rather place them in scenarios where they were encouraged and rewarded for hooking up and/or fighting with their fellow roommates.
I came across this great article penned by Susie: https://medium.com/@susiemeister/cast-aside-life-after-reality-tv-63bb7430977b. It discusses that exact phenomenon just mentioned about how the shows may have been unscripted yet they were still entirely set up to yield predictable results. None of that was surprising to me, but I was surprised to learn how many participants went through various struggles following the taping of their season. So if you ever watched one of those MTV shows I recommend checking out that article because it was definitely illuminating.
See what I mean about posting a lot of disjointed posts when I don’t take the time to watch the entire show and organize my thoughts?
Well, when I heard Mike talking about how he and his family can be having dinner in a restaurant and people approach him and ask for an autograph … it’s pretty easy to see there are both good aspects and bad aspects to that. But in the time of COVID, I know it doesn’t need to be said that you must be very careful when interacting with strangers in public … well … I’m sure you know what I want to say.
Oh Damn it! I cannot remain silent.
MIKE RINDER! You are one of the good people on this planet. If you get sick and die because you signed an autograph for some stranger who asked you … I will be so angry and disappointed with you.
You are one of the good ones here. We cannot afford to lose you. Please. Please. Please. Do not do anything stupid like that. I will be so disappointed if you do. Please Mike.
I know this does not have to be said. But you know what? It DOES have to be said. Damn it!
I just started watching. It would probably be best for me not to post until I have watched the entire show and organized my thoughts. Otherwise I have a tendency to make a whole lot of strange posts.
But when I heard Mike say he was happy because he felt that he and Leah had accomplished some useful result, I just couldn’t contain myself.
Mike! Just look at today’s headlines! You don’t think that you and Leah had something to do with the rape charges going forward? I think you two had a great deal to do with that. Please, do not sell yourself short. People (including me) believe you to be a hero for a some very good reasons – many good reasons in fact.
BRAVO MIKE!
P.S. Can you see about enabling us to use bold? I sure would have liked to put “BRAVO” in bold!
According to reports Danny Masterson is facing a court date in L.A. in September.
Actor Danny Masterson has been charged with “forcibly raping three women” between 2001 and 2003, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced on Wednesday.
Arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 18 in the Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles. He was charged with three counts of rape by force or fear.
According to the D.A.’s office, Masterson is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman between January and December 2001, and in April 2003, he allegedly raped a 28-year-old woman. Then, in between October and December of that year, he is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman whom he invited into his Hollywood Hills home.
Great Mike! Inspiring. It was really really cool to know what the Aftermath has done. Great news about the book you are writing. Please forward your mission. We are all with you.
I’ve listened to this podcast for a few years now. Glad to see you were on it, Mike.
Leah Remini and the Aftermath was an amazing show in exposing the exploitation and abuses of the Church of Scientology. It makes you wonder if Scientology could have ever been a good organization, even without the abuses. It seems like the they are a direct result of Hubbard’s teachings; ergo, an ultimate outcome of the actual religious doctrine, not just the current practice of the Church.
Reality TV? What?!!!!
It’s called a docuseries…!
What will happen if you land your hanglider here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHSNB0baQqU
Gotta link for the previous two interviews? Youtube and google are no help here.
Very nice interview. It was light with a lot of humor and meaning. It is great to hear a few facts about the behind the scenes actions. Keep up the great work.
Yes. I especially thought the part where Mike talked about Jack, toward the end, heartbreaking, touching and illuminating.
Not something people think about regarding the disconnection policy.
Goodie!
Can’t wait to watch.
Oh Mike..
Just wish you daily happiness and peace.
I’m coming up on another year anniversary of breaking free.
I’m so very different from the hollow-eyed devastated suicidal nothingness who lurked then whimpered on this board.
Things are so much better.
I love you for how you’ve helped me, and all these friends, your good heart, your strength of character.
🙂
Looking forward to seeing your cherub face and hearing your delightful twang.
It’s great to hear you’re recovering from the horror that is Scientology, I wish you and your loved ones all the best.
Haven’t watched the video yet but I just had to say that I love that photo, Mike! NO one gets to look like that during an “interview” with The Dwarfenmeister – such a telling proof of how much better life is outside the Scientology Bubble.