In an interesting programming stunt, HLN is dedicating a good chunk of its lineup to the upcoming trial of self-help guru James Ray.
A number of shows will provide content and context, throughout the day, including “Morning Express,” “Prime News,” “Issues” and “The Joy Behar Show.”
For example, the morning show will provide details on the people affected by Ray, while “Prime” will cover the actual court trial itself. “Issues” will examine Ray himself, and what he taught his followers, while “Behar” will examine the role that trust and self-improvement in America may have played in the case.
HLN says it will be doing similar programming stunts for other upcoming trials, including Dr. Conrad Murray and Casey Anthony.
More information after the jump.
HLN to Investigate Trial of Famed Self-help Guru James Ray
Through compelling testimony, on the ground reporting and smart discussion, HLN will expose all angles of the wrongful death trial of self-help guru James Ray. From opening statements and the verdict to why more than 60 people followed Ray on a five-day spiritual retreat in Arizona that left three people dead, HLN will provide viewers with a 360-degree look at this American tragedy.
Beginning today, HLN programs and personalities will provide viewers with up-to-the-minute details on the latest from the courtroom and offer a deeper look into Ray, his teachings, the three people that lost their lives and what motivates people to willingly put themselves in such a situation. Program highlights include:
* Morning Express with Robin Meade will humanize the trial by providing detail on the people involved and what has happened to them and their families since.
* Prime News with Vinnie Politan will get to the heart of the tragedy covering the legal aspects of the human drama each day in court.
* Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell will investigate deep into the life of James Ray and his followers.
* The Joy Behar Show will explore the role trust and the desire for self improvement played in the tragic deaths of three Americans.HLN special programming on the tragedy and trial continues with Velez-Mitchell, and reporters Smith and Christi Paul, partaking in a sweat lodge for a first-person account of what really happens inside. In Session correspondent Beth Karas will report from the trial and provide special coverage and updates daily from the courtroom.
In the coming weeks and months, HLN will also begin providing comprehensive coverage of other headline making and conversation-sparking trials including Dr. Conrad Murray and Casey Anthony.
HLN is a CNN Worldwide network offered in more than 90 million households in the U.S. CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the U.S.; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.