I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone concerned for the wonderful finale episode of The Aftermath which was recognized with our second Emmy last night. We were nominated 4 times and won twice, which is a pretty remarkable record.
It takes a LARGE number of people to make any TV show, it took an especially large number of people to make a complex, live audience show like that one with a subject matter that was very difficult, and particularly in light of the fact that Danny Masterson had not been charged at the time.
Let me start at the top. A&E were an amazing family to be part of on this journey. Lifelong friendships were forged during the process. Thanks to Elaine Frontain Bryant, Amy Slavitsky, David Sternbach and most especially to our champion and best friend, Devon Graham Hammonds.
And to our partners at IPC. Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman who stood with us from day one and took a great deal of undeserved heat and shit from scientology. And to the amazing Rachel Dax who made so many things happen.
The two producers IPC brought in for this special, Ray Dotch and Chris Rowe were in the trenches and on the firing line from day one to the end. These guys worked Sea Org hours and were a big part of why the show came together.
There are literally too many people in the crew to thank individually. From the camera operators to the sound and lighting guys, hair and make-up, editors, directors and everyone in between, it takes a coordinated team to pull off a show, and if any part breaks down, the whole thing fails. None broke.
And thanks to the experts who helped us and the audience understand: my friend Professor Marci Hamilton, ex-FBI agent James Ellis and psychologist Dr. Natalie Feinblatt.
But most importantly, there would be no show, no special, no podcast, no nothing without the brave people who stand up to tell their stories. Unless you have done it yourself, it is difficult to comprehend what it takes to bare your soul on national TV.
We had a live audience, and many of them were seen and heard from. I am not going to try to list everyone, but I have included a couple of shots of those who were there and many familiar faces who stand tall in the world of exposing scientology abuses can be seen (if you were missed, I apologize):
But I do want to make special mention of those who we talked to at length: Serge Gill, Joey Chait, Chrissie Bixler, Bobette Riales and Victoria Locke. Thank you all so very much. You inspired many people.
And finally, none of this would have happened at all without the force of nature that is Leah Remini. She fulfills the real definition of a humanitarian, not the phony paid-for scientology version. She puts herself on the line for the good of others, day in and day out. This is not a career path paved with Hollywood riches. It is standing up and announcing yourself as a prime target for a ruthless, multi-billion dollar bully that will stop at nothing to protect its interests. Leah is passionately committed to doing what is right and damn the torpedoes. She drives me to be a better person. And when she becomes your friend, she also becomes your fiercest ally and defender. Thank you Leah. More than anyone, the recognition, appreciation and accolades for The Aftermath belong to you.
To you Mike and Leah and all of the contributors and also to Ray Dotch, my highest regard, respect and Aloha. Having come from strong Catholic background, this program touched so many buttons and the additional information on Jehova’s Wittnesses was staggering in its hypnotic cruelty and their ability and willingness to continue without questioning the spoon-fed doctrines. Believe me, I know that this is not a simple process and I sit in judgment of NO ONE. Rather, as Ray said, it is time to renew the connection to the precious being that we all are within and that unconditional love includes everyone.
In your moment by moment journey, may you encounter the inner bliss of just being a worthy and precious creature who is unconditionally loved by God, no matter what. A hui ho and aloha kau ko.
That’s a really lovely acknowledgement from you and a wonderful acknowledgement for you.
Thoroughly deserved and perhaps a good indication that the message is definitely being heard and getting through.
I’m still subscribed to Rathbun’s/CSI’s diatribe, by the way, but it’s become so predictable and pathetic I don’t even bother looking anymore.
Man you guys ROCK! All of ya, the whole bunch. Fantastic news! Thank you for getting the word out and exposing the lies, criminality, abuse and psycho-ness of this “organization.” Congratulations!
Leah and Mike, Ha! Heads must be rolling at Flag for not squashing the A&E airing of The Aftermath and failing to bribe the Emmy judges.
Thanks, guys, for being our voices and standing up to the big buck crime syndicate bullies.
Congratulations to you both,Leah and Mike,on your Emmy win.And endless gratitude to all the brave men and women who agreed to be interviewed over the three seasons of your show.Their stories were truly heartbreaking.I wish them all the best in their healing process and future endeavors.
COngratulations!! to Leah and to Mike and to the whole team.
And heartfelt thanks to all the ex-victims who stood up and spoke out. Your bravery and committment are laudable.
Congratulations! I really like reading the list of large number of people that you have supporting you and Leah. Pretty amazing to think that you went from completely alone to all these people and an international platform to share truth. I also love seeing all the pictures of all precious people that were given a voice because of the show, your and Leah’s work and courage to leave. Congratulations again.
Excellent! Congratulations!!
Huzzah! And so well-deserved! Congrats to you, Leah, and everyone behind the scenes and who stepped forward!
To talk to the whole world is to talk to a human beings I.
Where ARS failed others make it.
It’s not complicated, it’s simple.
Brave make it, cowards fail.
Unlike the regular series of the Aftermath which were broadcast in the UK on the Crime and Investigation channel (very appropriate), the rumoured last 2 hour finale never was. Can someone throw some light on why this was.
Is there anyway it can be downloaded.
Thanks,
Andy.
Congrats on the award and in case you missed it Marty Rathbun posted on his page. Not about the Emmy
Wow. That was . . . Something. I’m not sure what that something is, though.
Jealousy…
Congratulations Mike and Leah! It seems like I remember somewhere (it might have been in Leah’s book) that Leah’s last words to Dear Leader were something to the effect of ‘You just f-d with the wrong person!’ And man oh man is she making him reap what he’s sowed. Nothing hurts worse than realizing that something you gave your LIFE to has been a lie. Some people get depressed while others get mad. Leah got mad. The greatest thing about Aftermath is how it opened up what has been going on with Sci Inc. to the masses that otherwise knew nothing about it. It has also shown that Hollywood is no longer in Sci Inc’s pocket. All those celeb apologists who said gleaming things about Sci because they wanted to remain on good terms with Crooze are now silent…crickets…crickets…even from the Crooze himself.
Revoke Tax Exemption! End Disconnection!
Congratulations. Demento must be eating his latest bottle of scotch in rage instead of drinking it.
I watched every episode. For someone who was in for 40 years but never joined the sea org I recognized the truth of episode after episode. The fact that you found these brave people to tell their stories was fantastic and Mike you and Leah were such fantastic guides through the amazing variety of stories.
The church is diminished by this volume of truth telling. I’m smiling.
Whoo hoo! Kudos Leah Remini and co-executive producer Mike Rinder! And to everyone else involved with Aftermath who made this happen. Wow, I’m really glad about this. Just perfect that the Masterson episode took the prize! Talk about a win “on all dynamics”, eh? Plenty more I could opine about the Dwarf’s reactions and about how Taryn’s and the ex Mrs. Rinder’s quaint disinformation campaign has been checkmated, but, listen, there’s time enough for schadenfreude, for now I’ll keep it all “uptone” …BIG Congrats you two!
Well done on the Aftermath, both Mike and Leah.
The criminality and affront to freedom by the Church of Scientology needs to be exposed. It’s about nothing other than protecting their income, has nothing to do with any imaginary Suppressives. Many of these “So-Called” Suppressives are merely folks exposing the criminality and fraud of that Make-Belief church.
I the Angry Gay Pope hereby declare that it is Christmas in September!
Congrats. This is well deserved.
Whooo Hooo! Congratulations to all. (Take that you OSA scumbags!) Well OSA and DM the head scumbag. Didn’t mean to be rude so – take that you lawyer scumbags.
Peggy, let it out 🙂 Don’t hold back 🙂 Seriously, though, I am SO tracking with you.
Oh good, I was trying to be subtle 🙂 I just knew you would understand it.
I’m good at reading between the lines 🙂
I was watching the show live and all of a sudden the category came up and I cheered when Ru Paul announced the winner. Mike, you and Leah and crew deserve the Emmy. It’s about good quality TV and a very altruistic message. I was so happy I could attend the show. There’s still work to do though but the Aftermath has made quite a dent in the corroded armor of the cult.
Here here! (Or is it, “Hear hear”?)
Cool.
Pretty good for a bunch of washed up S.P. has beens.
Yes, and NOW I can share what I thought of almost immediately upon reading this good news at Tony’s the other night.
Schadenfreude Alert:
Yo Taryn, Ms. Ex-Rinder and OSA et al,
We understand that Mike Rinder’s gains are always your losses.
We can well imagine what you must be experiencing now.
Tomorrow being Thursday with the inevitable 2PM.
We know, we know.
Rotten luck for you, that despite all your best, your most valiant efforts an Emmy was once more awarded to a show that Mike Rinder co-executive produced!
I mean, like, “Ouch!”
That must hurt!
ONE Emmy was bad enough, but my God!
TWO now.
Score another major win for Leah and Mike!
Ouch!
Nonetheless, your efforts deserve acknowledgement.
You gave it your best.
We know that.
And if perchance no one else is acknowledging how hard you tried; if everyone in the Sea Org and in Scientology is making you wrong and saying how severely you let LRH down, if Tiny Fists is blowing a gasket and threatening to throw you in The Hole (unless you’re already there) we want you to know that out here on the Fringes of the Internet, we Bitter Defrocked Types know the truth.
We KNOW you did your best.
You DID give it your best shot.
And when 2PM comes tomorrow, we’ll be thinking of you.
Of every one of you.
Much love,
Aqua
Very well done to all involved! Woohoo!❤️❤️
Congratulations to everyone involved with the show. The interviewees were allbrave and generous e
With their stories.Congrats to all cast and crewand of course to Mike and Leah as well, our 2 super novas.
Yes! (fist-pump) Fabulous news, Mike and Leah! Congratulations! It is so fabulous to see the Aftermath get recognized and win yet again! You two, and all those who shared their stories, are an inspiration. You have made an incredible difference! You may never know how many lives you have changed. You are true heroes.
Congratulations to all involved! The Aftermath was professionally constructed and had huge impact. Personally I never knew about the full negative impact of Scientology until Mike and Leah portrayed it so well. Hope to see more in the near future.
Well done to all concerned. I especially want to call out those who testified, you told your stories well and moved me and everyone who saw the show.
Now that the cat is out of the bag, I hope more come forward and testify. There are a lot more sad, sick, criminal stories in the Clammy jungle.
Many congratulations to Leah Mike and the production cast and crew of Scientology and the aftermath. Goes to show that doing the right thing it’s always the best thing to do.
You deserve all the accolades that you have received. For myself, without Leah and her book I would never have known what was going on in Scientology. I owe it to her to becoming a former Scientologist and activist against the abuses they have heaped on humanity.
Congratulations to not only the show, Mike, Leah and all the crew, but congratulations to all the people who escaped and have been courageous enough to speak out and continue to do so! You are the true heroes and each of you deserve your own awards!
Such a well earned award. Leah is indeed a force to be recognized. I hope the old saying that ‘good will win in the end’ is in fact fulfilled in her cause. Mike Rinder, you are an excellent Knight to stand by Leah the Queen. The game is moving in your favor, although I would like it to move faster.
Best to you both, and all your contributors.
“Mike Rinder, you are an excellent Knight to stand by Leah the Queen.”
That’s good. Nice turn of phrase.
Congratulations Mike and Leah. Your stats are straight up and vertical. They are EPIC! Very well done. Please….continue.
You are delivering blows to the cult of Scientology that is going to shut them down only if by stopping expansion. Wogs are getting the truth thanks to you both. We know the government won’t do anything, so you are and we all thank you.
Kind of like R Kelly.
Mad Mothers stopped that thug and he will rot in prison.
THANK YOU EVERYONE AT A & E……..THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for taking this on & allowing Leah & Mike to expose the truth about COS.
Anyone who has viewed the AFTERMATH SERIES is now well informed & aware as with many other cults the “dark side” of what’s been going on behind closed doors & HIGH FENCES guarded with cameras, lights & BARBED RAZOR WIRE AS IF IT’S A HIGH SECURITY PRISON.
WHAT RELIGION has to resort to the use of RAZOR WIRE FACING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS…ONE SIDE TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT…………..THE OTHER SIDE TO KEEP PEOPLE IN….. to keep those who seek OUT from getting out.
Secondly…for a religion to have to chase down & more or less CAPTURE the “escapee” as if it’s a PRISON BREAK of the most DANGEROUS FELON….& return them against their will to COS is unfathomable…….WHY can’t someone “JUST LEAVE”…..
A & E…………….WE NEED A FEW MORE AFTERMATH EPISODES….UPDATING IS NECESSARY AS MUCH MORE HAS GONE ON .
COS….WHERE IS SHELLY M & HEBER J??????
CONGRAT LEAH & MIKE & EVERYONE WHO BRAVELY STEPPED FORWARD!
Wonderful tribute. I am very proud to have been a small part of this series.
I would also like to extend the same kudos to you Mike. The show would not have been the same without your input and your courage and your stick-to-it-tiveness. You have created a good life for yourself since out and could have easily and understandably backed away.
Thank you so much for what you have done and persevered to expose the vile group known as the church of scientology.
A wonderful recognition for cast, crew and those willing to stand up and face down a juggernaut of oppression. Very well done to all of you. This world is a better place because of your actions.
As one who watched every episode with Leah, Mike and their guests, I can say those three-years-plus of Aftermath were exciting times to be a viewer of their honest TV presentations. I looked forward to every new episode. I might have some advance inkling of what was going to be presented; you can’t be a CoS watcher and not be aware of the range of their abuses. But the specifics of those who were abused, the people appearing live, and seeing their tears was incredibly moving.
My favorite episode was “The Ranches” with Nate and Tara recounting their horrible abuse at the hands of Scientology, where the teachers were more like concentration camp guards. It hit home to me because their ‘summer camp’ was so different, so opposite from my enjoyable public schooling and the two or three weeks of Scout and family camping that I enjoyed each summer.
During each episode I always learned some new facts that I didn’t already know, no matter how much reading I had already done about Scientology. Each Aftermath episode increased the simmering anger I felt at the CoS and its willingness to harm defenseless people in the name of a wealthy con man.
Leah and the rest of the Aftermath team deserve the accolades they have received. I thank all who were involved, and hope to enjoy their future endeavors.
And Scientology television has won how many Emmys? How many? Um, all I hear are crickets.
Congratulations to Mike and Leah and to everyone who spoke out on their show. Two emmies is an amazing stat! We’re so proud of you all.
If anyone from A&E is reading this, I would like to make a plea for the continuation of the AFTERMATH.
The show has done a tremendous service to humanity by raising awareness of just what this cult is about. But the job is only partially complete. These criminals are still operating thanks to their Tax Exempt Status and my plea is for A&E to produce more episodes of the AFTERMATH.
Whether it may be in the form of complete seasons or even just a few specials throughout the year, I plead to have this show continue to inform the general public of the status of this cult until it is finished. By finished, I mean that no one will be imprisoned against their will and the leaders of the cult who have broken all manner of felony laws are charged, arrested and brought to justice to pay for their crimes.
WOW! In total agreement!
Amen Skyler! It would be wonderful to not let AFTERMATH fade into oblivion & see only an occasional rerun of a show from a year or so ago. In hindsight I guess it’s better than NOT seeing any reruns at all…..
However, I am sure there is MUCH more to reveal, much more for the public at large to become aware of…much more exposure is needed. I want MORE AFTERMATH with Leah & Mike & any other former in’s who can give their own stories to waken up those unware of the “legacy” of what this “religion” has done & continues to do to people.
I would imagine that after the fiasco with FLDS the powers that be are tip toeing around afraid to get involved in another “sticky wicket”. …& all those OTHER CULTS are well aware of that so the tortures & abuses will continue.
Holding someone against their will, chasing after someone who exists secretly or “blows”….to bring them “back into the fold”…..& then PUNISHES them for leaving……it will never end.
We need to write more letters to A & E……so be it.
Off topic. I listened to the last podcast and as you said Mike was really touching.
Karen you went through something unbelievable. I admire your strength.
I was in the SO for about 15 years and even though I know to be someone else now, it is bit a shame to know to have lost years of my life in there and that I contributed to this cult and to their disgusting crap.
Thank you and please do well.
LMR, No! No! No! You have no reason to feel shame! You have much reason to feel proud!
You have accomplished the very best result you could ever accomplish. You were in and you decided to get out and one way or another, you got OUT! That is something to be very proud of. I am certainly proud of you and for everyone else who took the step to get out.
No matter how someone gets out, it takes a great amount of courage knowing what their criminal “Fair Gaming” is about and knowing what their criminal disconnection is about.
Yes. It takes great courage to get out knowing you may have to face the wrath of this billion dollar monster bully.
Skyler thank you so much. When one realize completely to have helped and contributed to a money oriented cult and its evil activities, then you feel like this. Karen’s story was touching. This cult it is all a big deception. Anyway this pandemic is cutting their legs in a way we couldn’t have predict and they know it.
“Clearing” this planet is really their last problem.
LMR……You have to begin to FORGIVE YOURSELF in order to heal.
You were at one time “all in”….unware of what this “religion” was all about. You honestly thought you were doing good & helping, as did so many others.
Yes indeed truly nice people are GULLIBLE….we think and believe that people are good, that they mean us no harm, that they’d never harm us or LIE to us. Sadly this is not true.
The BEST thing you ever did for yourself & others despite being a VICTIM because that’s what you are….was to get the HELL OUT. YOU had the courage to do so like many others on this blog….including those who are still too afraid to speak out & won’t post here……yet may “visit” the site & gain knowledge & hopefully one day blow too. To me & others, you are truly an inspiration.
You are to be commended for your open hearted honesty in letting others know the truth….stay well, stay happy, & live the best life you can because you are FREE.
My dear Ballet Lady I am totally fine. I thank you. It was just a moment when listening to the podcast with Karen de la Carriere that I realized to have really helped this scam and I felt her pain for her son.
There is no shame left in me now. Thanks God, I got myself back and I can see to be not that person I was at that time.
Thank you my friend for your presence.
I will do great. Please do the same.
LMR….so happy to hear you are doing well. It takes great courage to move on from a horror like that. Thumbing your nose & Living a GOOD & Happy LIFE is the BEST REVENGE!
Hey Balletlady. I am so happy to be a small part of a blog where people like you and Aqua and so many others always seem to be ready and able to help others with a kind word.
Someone recently posted (I’m sorry that I forget whether it was you) that we think there are good people in this world who will not do us harm. In my experience, many people are just consumed with their own problems and take the easy solution by cheating or stealing from others. It’s not that they want to hurt others. They just don’t care who they hurt so they can get what they believe they need – whether that is drugs or a mortgage payment or any one of a hundred other things.
It makes me so very happy every time someone like you comes forward and offers a helping hand to someone who needs it – regardless of what traumas they may be suffering.
I hope you will always remain a part of this blog and the same goes for all the others who behave the same way you do.
I know you will be humble about this and deny that you do anything special. But the truth is that I can feel just how special you truly are.
Again my best congratulations to you Mike and Leah. And to all those who contributed. You are just keeping a light on directly on the cult and the people now knows their bad deeds without anymore doubts.
The king is naked!
Thank you for all you do Mike and Leah, I was proud to be there that day and will carry on the good fight forever.
MC
Wonderful tribute. A treat to read.