blog trackingweb statistics
×
Chris Hansen

Chris Hansen questions ‘motive’ behind Robert Pattinson’s ‘Primetime’

Portrait of Brendan Morrow Brendan Morrow

USA TODAY
Updated Aug. 18, 2026, 1:18 p.m. ET

Chris Hansen has some questions about “Hollywood’s motive” behind a new film about him.

In an interview on the “Serialously with Annie Elise” podcast, the former “To Catch a Predator” host, 66, weighed in on the upcoming movie “Primetime,” which dramatizes his controversial “Dateline NBC” segment dedicated to busting potential child predators. Robert Pattinson plays Hansen in the film from A24 and director Lance Oppenheim, which takes place in 2006 and follows the show’s rise to popularity.

On the podcast, Hansen said he hasn’t seen the movie and had no involvement with its creation, as he was not asked to consult. But he said he’s keeping an open mind until viewing the finished product.

Chris Hansen speaks onstage during the Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation 2016 Ridge Awards on May 19, 2016, in New York City.

“I’m going to get a private screening in the next week or so, and then I’ll be able to tell you whether I like it or don’t like it, and how dramatized it is,” he said. “My suspicion is that they used my name because it helps in a commercial enterprise. And until I see the full movie, as a reporter, it’s sort of silly for me to talk about something that I haven’t seen yet.”

Hansen did, however, see the trailer for “Primetime,” which he said looks “very dramatic.” He added, “I know that [Robert Pattinson is] a very popular actor. I know that the director’s a popular guy. But I also have some questions. What’s Hollywood’s motive here? We don’t know. But I’ll find out, and I promise I’ll let you know.”

Hansen also noted he “didn’t get to choose” the actor playing him in the movie. When asked who he would have cast, he said he always thought “Denis Leary would be a good guy to play me, depending on the age of it all.”

Hansen hosted “To Catch a Predator,” a series of investigations as part of “Dateline NBC,” from 2004 to 2007.

Conducted in conjunction with the watchdog group Perverted-Justice, the investigations involved undercover adults posing as minors in online chat rooms to catch potential child predators, who are invited to a house where they believe the minor is home alone. When they arrive, they are confronted by Hansen and arrested by police.

The show drew controversy, and was ultimately canceled, after a 2006 incident where Bill Conradt, an assistant district attorney in Texas, died by suicide when police, accompanied by a camera crew, arrived at his home to execute a search warrant amid a “To Catch a Predator” investigation. NBC settled a $105 million lawsuit out of court.

Chris Hansen attends the Calvin Klein and GE Capital Honored At Dignity U Wear Gala on Oct. 8, 2013, in New York City.

Since “To Catch a Predator” ended, Hansen has gone on to host similar shows dedicated to catching child predators in various online and streaming venues.

“Primetime” also stars Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers, Matthew Maher, Bokeem Woodbine and Anna Faris. The plot synopsis reads simply, “In 2006, ‘To Catch a Predator’ host Chris Hansen sets out to make television history.”

The film is set to make its debut at the Venice Film Festival before hitting theaters on Sept. 25.

Featured Weekly Ad

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/entertainment/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Author

seoexperts1994@gmail.com

Related Posts

Trump waives tariffs on largest buyers of Russian oil, days before Lindsey Graham-backed law was set to take effect

October 16, 2026 / 10:38 PM EDT / CBS News President Trump prevented some new sanctions on Russia and hefty tariffs on...

Read out all

Sacramento mom says her “hero” son shot, killed Oregon school shooter

Updated on: October 16, 2026 / 6:13 PM PDT / CBS Sacramento A Sacramento mother says her son acted on instinct when...

Read out all

Sean “Diddy” Combs transferred to Pennsylvania prison after reports of luxury lifestyle behind bars

October 16, 2026 / 8:35 PM EDT / AP Sean "Diddy" Combs has been moved to a federal prison in Pennsylvania after...

Read out all

Judge dismisses child sex abuse charges against actor Timothy Busfield

October 16, 2026 / 7:24 PM EDT / CBS/AP A New Mexico judge has dismissed an indictment against "West Wing" and "Field...

Read out all

DHS Secretary Mullin calls Ilhan Omar probe a “strong case,” says agents executed multiple search warrants

October 16, 2026 / 6:16 PM EDT / CBS News Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said federal agents executed multiple search warrants...

Read out all

Vance defends ICE but says there’s a responsibility to investigate when agents “screw up”

October 16, 2026 / 4:55 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Thursday that there are some...

Read out all