Dateline NBC “The Real Thing About Pam” 4/15/22 Summary & Preview
Tonight (Friday April 15 2022), NBC broadcasts an episode of the series “Dateline NBC” titled “The Real Thing About Pam“.
We’ve got the scoop on everything you need to know about tonight’s episode, including if it’s new, the time, cast, how to watch and all the episode details!
Dateline NBC “The Real Thing About Pam” April 15 2022 Episode Summary
On Friday’s new Dateline NBC at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, correspondent Keith Morrison will report on the latest twists and turns in the case of Pam Hupp, who was charged last year in the murder of her close friend Betsy Faria. The two-hour special will feature new interviews, including with Leah Askey, the prosecutor behind the wrongful conviction of Betsy’s husband Russ Faria.
During The Real Thing About Pam, Morrison presses Askey about her decision to prosecute Russ instead of Hupp, who is currently serving life in prison for the murder of Louis Gumpenberger, which detectives allege she committed in an attempt to frame Russ.
Asked whether Gumpenberger may still be alive today if Askey had concentrated on prosecuting Hupp instead of Russ, she defended her actions, telling Morrison: “I don’t have any culpability in anything to do with Louis Gumpenberger. It is a terrible tragedy. But I was elected to do a job. And I did my job. And a jury convicted [Russ.]”
She also admitted that the murder of Gumpenberger made her think that Hupp was “capable of more” than she would have “given her credit for,” but that she still believes Hupp wasn’t involved in the murder of Betsy. She explained, “It made me think, that’s a terrible tragedy, and she obviously lost her marbles. Like, she snapped… She’s definitely gone off the deep end.” Hupp has pleaded not guilty in the murder of Betsy.
Friday’s special is a continuation of Morrison’s years-long reporting on Hupp, including how she impersonated a real-life Dateline producer. Morrison also hosted the #1 Dateline podcast, The Thing About Pam, which has been downloaded over 22 million times since its September 2019 launch. Additionally, the podcast was also the inspiration for NBC’s eponymous series starring two-time Oscar-winning actress Renée Zellweger. The scripted series was a collaboration between Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios and Zellweger’s Big Picture Co.
The Real Thing About Pam is produced by Cathy Singer and Christine Fillmore and senior producer Adam Gorfain. David Corvo is the senior executive producer and Liz Cole is the executive producer.
Interview Excerpt
KEITH MORRISON VOICE-OVER: LOUIS GUMPENBERGER WAS PURELY COLLATERAL DAMAGE IN PAM’S SCHEME. SO, DID THAT FINALLY CHANGE LEAH ASKEY’S MIND ABOUT PAM HUPP?
LEAH ASKEY: No, it made me think, that’s a terrible tragedy and she obviously lost her marbles. Like, she snapped. She’s definitely gone off the deep end.
KEITH MORRISON: I think that probably a lot of people would agree that there’s some stuff about Pam which is not entirely normal. But the fact that she would kill that person and try to frame the man who was acquitted of the murder of his wife, that must have made you change your mind about this case.
LEAH ASKEY: It definitely made me think, you know, wow, she’s capable of more than I would’ve given her credit for.
KEITH MORRISON: There are some people who even to this day say that you have blood on your hands, that Louis Gumpenberger would be alive today had you concentrated on Pam Hupp and not on Russ Faria.
LEAH ASKEY: I don’t have any culpability in anything to do with Louis Gumpenberger. It is a terrible tragedy. But I was elected to do a job. And I did my job. And a jury convicted him. One has nothing to do with the other. It was never my job to seek out a suspect. And so, I couldn’t have done anything more than what I did, other than not prosecute, which I would’ve not prosecuted, had I not believed that the person we were prosecuting was correct at the time.
Is Tonight’s Episode New or a Repeat?
Great news! Tonight’s “The Real Thing About Pam” episode of “Dateline NBC” is all new!
What Time is Dateline’s The Real Thing About Pam Episode On?
Tonight’s “The Real Thing About Pam” episode will be broadcast on NBC at 9:00PM ET/PT.
Dateline “The Real Thing About Pam” Episode Video Preview
Watch Tonight’s “The Real Thing About Pam” Episode Online
You can find episodes on the NBC website and watch full episodes on Peacock TV.
Dateline NBC Series Information
Dateline is NBC’s signature newsmagazine, bringing viewers storytelling at its best. Our stories range from compelling mysteries to powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. When major news breaks, we go to the scene, putting the pieces together to bring you the full picture. And in every story we tell, we help the real people who lived the events share their journeys with you. On the air since 1992, Dateline is the longest-running prime-time program on NBC. Our work has been honored time and again with broadcast journalism’s highest awards. Lester Holt is the principal anchor, joined by correspondents Andrea Canning, Josh Mankiewicz, Natalie Morales, Keith Morrison and Dennis Murphy.
