What to Watch Friday: 20/20 reports on ‘suicide texting’ case seen in Hulu series
20/20 (9 p.m., ABC) - Correspondent Deborah Roberts presents the “suicide texting” case that landed Michelle Carter in prison after she encouraged via text the suicide of her boyfriend, Conrad Roy. Authorities initially ruled the case a suicide until they uncovered the disturbing messages from Carter to Roy in the weeks before Roy’s death and how the texts led to an involuntary manslaughter charge. The case, which made national headlines, is currently the subject of a Hulu drama series, “The Girl From Plainville,” starring Elle Fanning as Carter. Tonight’s program reports on the couple and their intense online relationship, in which they opened up to each other about personal matters, including their struggles with depression. We also get audio from the police’s interview with Carter, text messages between Roy and Carter and interviews with individuals who were close to the couple.
Dateline: Hands of a Killer (9 p.m., NBC) - Dennis Murphy reports on former Arkansas State Senator Linda Collins, who was found fatally stabbed outside her Pocahontas area home in June 2019, after she’d been missing for several days. Investigators had to determine if her murder was connected to her political career or her personal life. The report features interviews with Linda’s daughter Tate and son Butch, Randolph County Sheriff Kevin Bell, Arkansas State Senator Gary Stubblefield, Linda’s friends and others.
Woke (Hulu) - In Season 2, cartoonist Keef Knight is a popular activist on the rise, but he’s facing a world where “woke” has become big business. From Hulu: “Can Keef and his friends bring about real change, or is it just about the dollar$? And can Keef navigate this new world without destroying what he’s become?” Inspired by the life and work of artist Keith Knight, who now lives in North Carolina, the series continues to upend Black nerd and activist culture, deftly satirizing with a wink and a smile. The series stars Lamorne Morris, Blake Anderson, T. Murph, Sasheer Zamata and JB Smoove.
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