longtime Scientology chronicler
Blogger at The Underground Bunker and author of The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology Tried to Destroy Paulette Cooper; former editor at the Village Voice.
PROFILE
Tony Ortega
Guest
FROM Tony Ortega
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What is Scientology TV? Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige is known to be camera-shy, but he came out of the shadows in March to launch the church’s first TV network. Scientology TV is carried 24/7 on DirecTV and different web platforms. But those who followed it might have noticed there are a lot of reruns. And that it’s not exactly your typical TV network.
Which Way, L.A.?
Scientology, Hollywood and HBO Even before Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief began running on Sunday, Scientology was calling it " bigoted propaganda " from "admitted liars." Trailer The HBO documentary, directed by Alex Gibney and based on a book of the same name by Lawrence Wright, features former members and others attacking the multi-billion-dollar organization as a dangerous cult, despite its status as a religion exempted from taxes by the IRS.
To the Point
'The Master' and Scientology The new film, The Master , is based largely on the life of L. Ron Hubbard. Philip Seymour Hoffman dazzles as the founder of Scientology , a charismatic Svengali who convinces his acolytes of the power of his vision. As his son says in the movie, he makes it up as he goes along. We compare fact and fiction in film with a film critic and a chronicler of Scientology.
Recommended
To the Point
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.