The show has the same appeal as COPS on Fox, a visceral look into the idea that evil is not an abstract concept like the Bogey Man or Satan, but instead it's within your next door neighbors and your friends. It's Hannibal Lector syndrome, and it's great for ratings. Problem is it does some disservice to the reality of child abuse.

If only NBC producers would tweak a few things:

1. Add a disclaimer saying that although there are predators on the internet, the majority of child abuse is committed by FRIENDS and FAMILY MEMBERS of the child. This would alleviate how the show gives a skewed impression of how the majority of predators work (within their own network and community, not on the internet). Of course, it would be impossible to make "compelling" television out of an accurate depiction of pedophilia, since it would make filming impossible. It's a moneymaking proposition by NBC after all.

2. Work with law enforcement to iron out the problems that makes prosecution of these individuals impossible after they're caught.
If the goal is to CATCH the predator, that also means keeping him away from FUTURE prey. Unfortunately, the show FAILS to keep the predators off the streets, since almost ALL of the charges against the men are eventually dropped. The show is supposed to be news, but rarely covers this IMPORTANT fact about the cases. Probably because it looks bad for the show. But that's important to disclose. If the production necessities of the show causes this, NBC needs to HAULT production, and simply work with law enforcement to find these guys, get them behind bars, and to hell with the actual show. That would only happen if NBC cared more about than innocent children victims than ratings.

The show is really entrapment for idiots and fools, who just think some young girl would be willing to meet them.

If it was really old men chatting and wanting to meet real teen age girls that is a crime. but when old men are just chatting and meeting over 18 yo women who just say they are 14. I see no crime in it.

I support anything that puts bad guys behind bars for as long as possible. In my world, if you are caught on film doing this, you should allowed to make a will and say good bye and executed right there. I don't want to have my tax dollars spent going them another meal.

I just wish we could admit that some 15 year olds are hot. It doesn't make it right. But come on..

The people around here who tune in, do not refer to by its title, rather they just call it: SEX POLICE.
I think we have a wrap.

Like all of the late night "Doc-Bloc" programming at MSNBC, it's purpose is to create stereotypes of "liberals".

The "Lock-Up" shows are meant to paint blacks as congenital felons, and the "Predator" series is meant to fortify the image of the internet as a meeting place for criminals. (recent legislation that supports media monopoly and redefining activists as "terrorists" will be served by these stereotypes.)

Big business needs to re-inforce it's agenda with negative images of the things that threaten it's AUTHORITY the most:

Voter's of color, and HONEST news.

(Thanks for posting this article, I was beginning to think nobody noticed that General Electric was making good use of it's connections to Department of Defense propagandists.)

What is the shelf life of Dateline Predator? Enough is enough, there's nothing more to see unless they can trap Morning Joe, Chris Matthews or Tucker Carlson in the net. Now that might be worth watching.

MSNBC get a grip, it's over stick a fork in it......

Chris Hansen and _ucker Carlson are two peas in a pod.
I don't have any sympathy for the peds on this show. However, this whole series makes my skin crawl, and not only because of the perps.

MSNBC is just doing its best to promote the Criminal Justice franchise, a mechanism designed to drain money from societal betterment and pour it into the deep pockets of the elites. When you read that 90% of the souls imprisoned are for non-violent offenses, and you see that this kind of institutionalization breeds repeat offenders instead of reforming them, and worse yet the combined loss of wages and the cost of imprisonment for a non-violent offender is more expensive then keeping them at a Courtyard By Mariot, you have to wonder what it is all for.

The dirty little secrets that this show doesn't bring out is the abouser is a close member of the child's family or a family friend. This happens every day in the United States and has occured somewhere in everyone's family. We don't want to hear this. We want to think it is someone who has been on a computer and has access to kids and not Uncle or yes, Aunt, friend, priest, teacher or even another kid. Now stop and think about teaching your kids not to be quiet about what bad things might have happened/is happening to them. Tell them is anyone tells them not to tell that you will keep them safe from that person even when the person has said they will hurt/kill you or someone close to them. Hidden threats and abuse starts at home/at school/at church anywhere your kid is. Tell kids to not tell anyone their email address and keep them close to you when on the computer but be aware of those who might not be who you think they are. Be paranoid about your kid and although this might sound over the top, it is a reality that has been around since man started walking the earth and you are the best one to protect and teach your kid not to be a victim. Even the most protective parents have had this happen in their family so be aware, do your part.

I think they should have a sniper on this show.

I blame it on the fact that they don't have writers working now. You don't need writers for shows like this.

Another quality example of ghoul tv. Lock up, 24,Sopranos,reality shows,Jerry Springer the list goes on and on. Bunch of sick puppies out there if these deserve air time. Just arrest them and put them away. We don't need to watch it. Kind of a strange form of voyeurism or training for perverts on how to avoid getting caught. Let the law enforcement do their job. Next thing we will see is live cameras at car crashes showing under the tarps. When did we lose so much respect for others?

This show is entrapment pure and simple. Check out a great expose on it by Rolling Stone:

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/15723886/to_catch_a_predator_is_nbcs_primetime_dragnet_the_new_american_witch_hunt