Killer Lies: Chasing a True Crime Con Man
Channel: National Geographic Channel (DStv 181 / StarSat 220)
TX Time: 21h00
Genre: True Crime, Documentary Series
This three-part series tracks the rise and fall of serial killer expert Stéphane Bourgoin whose dark lies are exposed by sleuthing fans.
Based on Lauren Collins's 2022 New Yorker exposé Murder, He Wrote, the series expands on Collins's investigation into the rise and fall of a provocative French serial killer expert, Stéphane Bourgoin, who became famous for his extraordinary resume of jailhouse interviews with serial killers as well as his personality quirks, and his morbid encounters.
Bourgoin cited the violent and horrifying 1976 slaying of his wife by a serial killer as motivation for his relentless interest in the minds of murderers.
After 40 years and 40 books, he becomes the target of a group of online sleuths, known as 4ême Oeil Corporation (4th Eye), who try to untangle his web of lies and unearth the truth.
The three-part series fully reveals the online group's dogged investigation and the shocking extent of Bourgoin's deception.
It features exclusive access to 4th Eye members speaking for the first time on camera in a documentary, along with material from Bourgoin's own films and past television appearances and forensically reexamined archival footage.
You will hear from those closest to Bourgoin for an intimate peek inside a pathological liar's mind as well as hear from Bourgoin himself in his most comprehensive sit-down interview discussing his motives for fabricating such grandiose lies.
Combined with the investigative journalism of Collins, each episode will delve deeper to discover where the truth ends and lies begin:
Murder He Wrote
Bourgoin's success as a world-renowned serial killer expert progressed alongside the rise of serial killers in America and the explosive growth of the lucrative true crime industry.
But when the 4th Eye, a collective of vigilante online sleuths, embarks on an investigation into his life and work, they discover his career was based on a series of dark lies.
The Eye is Always Watching
Anchored by reporting from The New Yorker's Lauren Collins, we follow the dramatic twists and turns of Stéphane Bourgoin's story.
As his career continues to flourish, the 4th Eye's hunt for the truth reveals that something far darker lies beneath the surface of his fame.
The online sleuths work to stop him before more damage is done.
The Reckoning
As the mysteries of Bourgoin's past reveal the seeds of his dark obsessions, Lauren Collins continues investigating many alarming unanswered questions.
We hear from the victims in this story and delve into the larger themes and questions raised about our insatiable appetite for true crime and the strange compulsions of the human psyche.
Killer Lies is a poignant exploration of human nature and cultural psychology and a captivating meta-commentary on the global entertainment industry of true crime.
It is a true crime story within a true crime story.
Ultimately, it was avid true crime fans who brought Bourgoin down, launching their own investigation of the master who had taught them not to underestimate humanity's capacity for deceit and evil.
Outlaws
Channel: Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Telenovela, Western, Drama
Western-themed telenovela set in the lush but lawless land on the border between Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal, and tells the story of two families at war with each other: the Zulu, cattle-farming Biyela clan and the Basotho, cattle-raiding Ts'eoles.
In the series premiere: Bandile proves himself to his father, Leruo leads his men on a mission and Tlali proves to be a loose cannon, starting a war that will rage on for ages.
The series stars Thembinkosi Mthembu as Bandile Biyela, Lehlohonolo Mayeza as Leruo Tseole, Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku as Sihle Biyela, Mmabatho Mogomotsi as Moretlo Tseole, Keketso Mpitso as Tlali, Mduduzi Nombela as Dumisani Dlamini, Mnqobi Kunene as Kwanele Dlamini and Seipati Mahamu as Nyakallo.
Outlaws is a Showmax Original, created by Phathushedzo Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon and produced by Tshedza Pictures.
Main Cast and Characters
Bandile Biyela is played by Thembinkosi Mthembu
Bandile is his father's son, sharing the same passion for the land and he's a rural farm boy through and through.
Having married young, Bandile's wife Nolwandle (Nosipho Pehlo) and their toddler kids soften him.
Even though he loves his wife, he is a bit of a player in the region, something that always puts him and his father, who is moralistic, at odds.
Bheki Biyela is played by Siyabonga Shibe
He is the family patriarch, who always puts what is in the best interest of the family and the farm first.
When we meet him in the series, he is facing the biggest battle of his farming life – stock theft.
The rampant stealing of cattle by Basotho has turned the whole Underberg region into a war zone that Bheki is determined to emerge victorious.
But for how long?
Sihle Biyela is played by Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku
Sihle is Nandi and Bheki's only daughter.
Having been born and raised on the farm, Sihle has yearned for a bigger life where she was more independent.
When it comes to relationships, Sihle has never really had time to explore much.
She met Kwanele (Mnqobi Kunene), the son of a family friend, much younger, and they've been in a relationship for a while.
After he proposed, she proposed, and now finds herself at a crossroads.
He is nice, but does she really love him enough to marry him?
Leruo Ts'eole is played by Lehlohonolo Mayeza
Leruo is Morafe's eldest son and the leader of her cattle-thieving syndicate.
He is the leader of the gang and has made peace with his mother's operation. It is the way of life for him.
He is an excellent horse man, but an even better shooter.
He is wise and measured, rarely shows too much emotion, and a strategist much like his mother.
He is the wounded hero, the man who has had to step up and be his mother's right-hand man.
He is a man of few words; he lets his gun do the talking.
His life is turned upside down when he falls for Sihle (Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku), the daughter of a man he has been stealing from.
Nandi Biyela is played by Nolwazi Shange
Nandi is Bheki's wife and Banele's mother, a gun-toting pious woman.
She is a strong-willed family matriarch, who finds peace in self-sustenance.
Nandi runs the farm side by side with her husband.
Moretlo Ts'eole is played by Mmabatho Mogomotsi
Moretlo is the queen pin of the largest cattle-raiding syndicate in Lesotho that has been ravaging the Underberg region of KZN for years.
She is tough and can be ruthless when she doesn't get her way.
Having raised her children without a husband, Moretlo has had to play both parental roles in her children's life.
This makes her seem harsh and cold. She is a strategist and an avid horse raider, but just as comfortable with a machine gun.
Tlali is played by Keketso Mpitso
He is Leabua's son and Moretlo's nephew, a cousin to Leruo.
Like his father, he converts power that doesn't belong to him.
He is part of the cattle-raiding syndicate, though he is impulsive and lacks the skill that comes effortlessly to Leruo.
He feels overlooked and hungers for power, which aligns him more with his embittered father.
Tlali is a greedy and sleazy player, who is consumed by the need to outdo his cousin Leruo, no matter the consequences.
Kwanele Dlamini is played by Mnqobi Kunene
Kwanele is a man who has lived his whole life under his father's shadow.
Having been raised by his father after his mother's death, this has turned him to view his father as God and his word as the bible.
There are, however, two things that mean the most to Kwanele – his love for Sihle, whom he has loved ever since they were kids, and his love for farming, which he is not that great at, but he tries.
Kwanele starts off the series as the good guy, the one who has managed to convince Sihle to marry him, even though deep down he knows that she is way out of his league.
Dumisani Dlamini is played by Mduduzi Nombela
Dumisani has been Bheki's friend since childhood.
They all grew up around the Underberg region and had the same dream to one day become the biggest cattle farmers in the region.
However, Dumisani never really had the gift to rear cattle, no matter how much he desired it.
As they grew up, Dumisani gravitated towards crime and grew in the ranks to become one of the most feared criminal bosses in the region, but he still held on dearly to his childhood dream of being a farmer.
Even though Dumisani might seem evil, he is not – he is just a man driven by greed.
He is a controlling madman, but a devoted father to his son Kwanele, whom he raised alone after his wife died.
Nolwandle is played by Nosipho Pehlo
Bandile's wife and mother of his kids.
Nolwande grew up in KZN townships and had her sights set on the high life, until she met Bandile – a son of a farmer.
TVSA Show Page: Outlaws
Day of the Dragon
Channel: Nat Geo Wild (DStv 182 / StarSat 221)
TX Time: 18h00
Genre: Wildlife, Documentary
It's hard work being the world's biggest dragon on Rinca island.
Competition is so fierce, and the global temperature is slowly rising.
Onthul – Wilgenhof: Trauma of Tradisie?
Channel: kykNET (DStv 144)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Documentary, Afrikaans
What is happening at Wilgenhof?
The legendary men's residence at Stellenbosch University has been in the news since February after photos of two rooms in the residence circulated.
The rooms were filled with disturbing artefacts, and rumours began to spread about suspicious activities that have occurred there over decades.
In the next investigative programme in the Onthul series, a team probes to find out what really happened at Wilgenhof.
Issues such as tradition, the so-called "woke" culture that wants to make everything a public issue, toxic masculinity, and whether the university's pursuit of a fully inclusive environment is ultimately a quest for identitylessness is examined.
Both camps are rigid and unyielding, unwilling to see each other's perspectives.
Participants in the programme include journalists Adriaan Basson and Jo Prins, constitutional expert Prof Pierre de Vos, psychologist Anton Böhmer, Prof Vasti Roodt, as well as former Wilgenhof residents like Neels van Jaarsveld, Samore Menze and Louis van der Riet.
Outrageous Pumpkins 4
Channel: Food Network (DStv 175)
TX Time: 19h00
Genre: Reality Competition, Food
A traditional Halloween pastime is taken to the next level as new host Damaris Phillips welcomes expert pumpkin carvers to compete for the title of Outrageous Pumpkins Champion and a sweet $25,000 Halloween treat.
The carvers face off in outrageous challenges that test their creativity and pumpkin prowess as they sculpt gravity-defying scenes that celebrate Halloween and impress the judges.
In the Season 4 premiere, "Welcome to the Pumpkin Patch": Eight elite pumpkin carvers begin their journey to become the next Outrageous Pumpkins Champion.
Damaris starts off with a challenge to create the best porch display in the neighbourhood so they can show off their artistic point of view for judges Ralph Attanasia and Terri Harden.
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