History Series / Dateline

* BerserkButton: To be sure, a more subtle example of this trope, but whenever a predator brought up that he was a religious man, Hansen appeared rather irritated with him, seeming to question just how religious could the man have been given the situation he was in.

The series drew infamy with its constant stream of fluff stories, YouCanPanicNow stories, and screw-ups -- most notably, an early 1992 episode of the show got into hot water when it falsely claimed that 1973-1987 GM pickup trucks have leaky and explosive gas tanks (when in reality, the only reason they exploded for the cameras is the remote controlled explosives the Creator/{{NBC}} crew put there).

* FalseReassurance: Predators frequently asked whether Chris was a cop or whether he would arrest them- "I'm not a cop." or "I'm not going to arrest you." aren't untrue statements, because he isn't and can't. He also sometimes added a variant of "You're free to go", but only from ''him'', not the cops waiting right outside.

* ScrewThisImOutOfHere: Once Chris Hansen became a household name, predator frequently ran for it the moment that they saw him. A few decided to run for it part of the way through the interview.

On April 2015, Hansen launched a [[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1606694156/hansen-vs-predator Kickstarter campaign]] to promote his successor to the original series, ''Hansen vs. Predator''. The campaign was so successful, Hansen eventually took over as host of the daily syndicated series ''Crime Watch Daily'', of which ''Hansen vs. Predator'' became a recurring segment on the show; his takeover as host [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome boosted the show's ratings]].

[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/streetlamp_9696.gif]]
[[caption-width-right:300: Website/FourChan had a field day.]]

* AffablyEvil: Most of the predators are rather polite and have even admitted they messed up.
* AffectionateParody: The program is very subject to this.
* AlwaysMale: The pedophiles featured on the show.
** They did once have online contact with a married couple who [[ThreeWaySex wanted to meet]] one of the purported teenagers, but only the husband actually showed up. One expert Hansen spoke to said that while female predators do exist, they tend to pursue children or minors they personally know, rather than seeking anonymous encounters online.
* AwesomeMcCoolname: '''''STONE.'''''
* BadassBaritone: Stone Phillips.
* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: Of the villain kind. Some predators went down their path because the "child" they were talking to gave them an attention and connection they lacked in their daily life.
* BestialityIsDepraved: One predator wanted the girl to have sex with her cat. Another talked about sex acts with a dog.
* BigNo: A few of the "predators" have let one out when they were apprehended by the police.
* BlatantLies: The potential predators, when they try to talk their way out. Chris always has a field day with them, especially when they say they were invited in by hot older women.
** One predator claimed he met the girl in a roleplaying chatroom and thought she was only pretending to be 14, but it was actually a romance chatroom.
** The majority of predators claim that the meeting they have with Chris is their first meeting, and while technically speaking this cannot be ''proven'' untrue, the circumstances in which they arrived at the decoy houses make this hard to believe.
* TheBlindLeadingTheBlind: The majority of these predators fall victim to the widespread myths concerning entrapment and the perceived requirement that undercover police must answer truthfully if asked "Are you a cop?". Most of these myths originate in television police dramas. One memorable individual even claimed that his druggie friends advised him on this issue.
* CantGetAwayWithNuthin: Some predators try to invoke this, saying that this was the first time they'd ever tried this and ''of course'' they wind up in a sting operation for national TV.
* {{Catchphrase}}: [[PreAssKickingOneLiner Why don't you have a seat right over there?]]

* CoolCar: One of the predators had a customized Nissan Ultima. Even Hansen said "That's quite a car you've got out there", before telling him to [[{{Catchphrase}} have a seat.]]
* DeadpanSnarker: Chris Hansen whenever predators attempt to justify themselves when the chat logs say otherwise.
--> '''David Schumacher:''' I don't wanna be on the news [[VerbalTic dawg]].
--> '''Chris:''' Well, it's a little late for that dawg.
* DepravedBisexual: Sometimes, the subjects of the show are married to a woman, yet they seek a boy to have sex with.
* DepravedHomosexual: Other times, some of the subjects of the show are gay.
* DirtyCop: At least one predator was a cop.
* DirtyCoward: A few predators have run away once they saw Chris or a camera, and some others have cried and begged for mercy when they were about to get arrested.
* DirtyOldMan: Some of the predators are middle-aged or older.
* DoubleEntendre: One of the more notable predators on the show was [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZK7Zx7s0Vg this man]], who got busted ''twice'' in 24 hours (despite having an OhCrap moment after the first meeting, he wasn't deterred from initiating a second). In his second meeting, when he is confronted at the UsefulNotes/McDonalds he asked the decoy to meet up at, he thrice says immediately upon meeting Chris that he "just came to get something to eat!" A line with a both ironic and harsh double meaning because while the man meant to say that he had only came to get food, his words could be viewed as him getting something to eat (regarding an act of molestation he might have performed on his supposed victim).
* TheDreaded: Chris Hansen is this to the predators. Once Hansen enters the room, the predator knows it's all over.
* DrivenToSuicide: One of the men they captured with To Catch a Predator killed himself when he realized the cops were closing in. [[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2008/06/nbc-resolves-la.html NBC "amicably resolved" his sister's lawsuit.]]
** Another arrested man (this one from Turkey), kept threatening "[if] You show this, I [will] kill myself". It remains to be seen as to whether he knows that regardless of what actually appeared in the broadcast (if any of it made the cut), his whole affair is on Youtube uncut.
** This was parodied ruthlessly on the ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' episode "La Petite Tourette," where Hansen is a corrupt sadist who threatens Cartman with the ultimatum he may have "shot himself" if he doesn't co operate with his show. He escapes this after several paedophiles are tricked into entering the studio, and, realizing this, kill themselves en masse (an irate Hansen moans "Aww, not again!").
** On Chris Hansen's first such investigation in Long Island (before police were involved), a depressed man with a history of self-harm has his identity hidden and face blurred out specifically to prevent this.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: The first To Catch a Predator special was actually titled ''Dangerous Web'', and spent only half the time on the home encounters. The latter half focused on reactions and interviews with teens and parents, as well as instructing people on how to keep their kids safe on the internet. And of course the police arrests didn't begin until the third special.
* EveryCarIsAPinto: They claimed that GM's trucks were playing this trope straight, but in reality, they [[AvertedTrope averted it]].
* EvilCripple: One pedophile suffered from Cerebral Palsy.
* ExactWords: Chris Hanson uses this often in his interviews with the predators to keep them calm, e.g., "I'm not going to arrest you" or "It's not up to me whether you go to jail." The SWAT team waiting right outside the door, however, will be arresting the predator.
* FalseReassurance: When confronting pedophiles, Chris Hansen often tells them "I'm not going to arrest you". Then, as soon as they leave the house, they get arrested by the police. [[ExactWords After all, Hansen's not the one doing the arresting.]]
* FauxAffablyEvil: A few predators might act civilized around Chris, but their intentions are much more sinister.
* FreudianExcuse: Some of the predators have personal issues such as depression or social anxiety that makes it hard for them to have a proper relationship; thus they seek under-aged teens to satisfy their desires.
* GenreSavvy: Some predators will try to search the house for adults, especially camera crews. Of course, they can't be ''[[DownplayedTrope that]]'' genre savvy if they showed up at the house in the first place.
* HarmfulToMinors: Of all the utterly bizarre cases, the most horrific of them was when the predator brought his two-year-old son with him to the decoy's house. Everyone was taken aback by this, and special measures had to be taken to arrest the predator as swiftly as possible, while not scaring the child.
* HopeSpot: For some folks caught in the sting who are unfamiliar with the show, they feel very relieved when Chris Hansen says they're free to go, some of them almost bordering on jubilant. [[CatchPhrase But they won't get very far...]]
** Even before the show had direct police involvement, they were still handing all evidence over to authorities, and many of them were eventually arrested despite walking free.
* HumiliationConga: Every encounter with Hansen is this to the guys on the show. Especially after police start getting involved.
* {{Hypocrite}}: On report #3 in Riverside, California, one predator talked about being upset at his step daughter getting with someone who was way older than her for sex. Yet, he's on Dateline...
** Pretty much every father ensnared in the stings fall into this. Chris Hansen made a point to ask people who have children what they would think if a man of their age came over to their house to have sex with their underage daughter, then when they respond that they would be outraged, Hansen would follow-up with "Then why would you think it's OK for you to come over and have sex with an underage girl?"
* IdiotBall: In the second Predator special, one of the men is caught in a chat room less than 24 hours after he'd already been confronted at the house. Chris was especially irritated when they confronted him the next day.
** Then there was the guy caught in one of their California stings, only to show up at their next sting 8 months later.
* ImplausibleDeniability: "I wasn't gonna do nothin'!" "Well, I have the transcript right here..."
%% * {{Irony}}: Chris has gotta be feeling pretty foolish after [[http://purplejesus.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/pedobearwin.jpg this]].
* KarmaHoudini: Most of the predators on the show before Dateline began working with law enforcement - even though some of them ended up getting arrested later anyway, some even returning a repeat time.
* LanternJawOfJustice: It is hard to fathom that a person who looks and [[BadassBaritone sounds]] like Stone Phillips -- and is named ''Stone Phillips'' -- actually exists outside of a comic book.
* LaserGuidedKarma: Every single predator after the show started working with law enforcement is arrested and has their personal lives exploited on national television.
* LogicalFallacies: The predators are full of excuses. Most of which don't hold much water.

* {{Manchild}}: Several predators are rather immature and a few [[BasementDweller still lived with their parents]].
* MissingWhiteWomanSyndrome: Unfortunately, in a lot of their missing person cases, this is true.
* ModestyTowel: Whenever Chris runs into a naked predator he has them cover up with a towel before they take a seat.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Most predators when they realize their attempts to have sex with a minor has cost them their lives.
* NakedPeopleAreFunny: At least one predator has entered the house naked.
* NoSocialSkills: A good portion of the predators, especially the younger, under-30 ones. When Chris would ask why they simply couldn't date people their own age, some of the predators said they couldn't get a date with someone in their age bracket and that the person they were talking to were the only quality connection they had with someone.
* OhCrap: Pretty much every guy when Chris Hansen steps in.
* OlderThanTheyLook: The decoys. They're legally old enough to date the men that enter the room, but due to their appearance, they could easily pass as an underage teen.
* PaedoHunt: What do you expect from a show centered around catching child molesters?
* ParallelPornTitles: I'm Chris [[PunnyName Mansen]] from [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUn6X4SWWUk To Catch a Predator XXX.]]
* PedophilePriest: A number of predators caught have been religious figures, such as rabbis, ministers, etc. No literal priest though.
* PreAsskickingOneLiner: All together now: "Why don't you have a seat right over there?"
* ProductPlacement: Somewhat unintentional since these are not dramatizations. It's somewhat disturbing how many predators enter the house with a case of Mike's Hard Lemonade. Is this the official drink of pedophiles?
** Similarly, [[UsefulNotes/{{McDonalds}} McDonald's]] must be dismayed at how often potential pedos show up with their bags of food in hand.
* RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil: Michael Warrecker (the guy with the [[SarcasmMode delightful]] screenname "can_i_rape_you_anally") is one of the creepiest predators on the show, mostly because he has a rape {{fetish}}.
* SchmuckBait: When predators are on the brink of wanting to get the hell out of there, they'll ask Hansen if they're in any serious trouble. When Hansen says they're free to walk out that door at any time, that's usually the cue for the men to run out the door...and straight into the handcuffs of the police.
* ScreamsLikeALittleGirl: One guy is accidentally tasered when the police swoop in to arrest him and he runs while screaming in agony in a high pitched voice. HilarityEnsues.
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: Many folks on ''Predator'' try to make a run for it when confronted by Hansen...[[CatchPhrase but they won't get very far.]]
* SkewedPriorities: One mentally disabled predator was more distressed about his mom taking his computer away than being arrested.
* SophisticatedAsHell: Some predators get almost poetic in their chats. For example, one says there's a difference between "making love" and "fucking". To wit, "fucking is just raw passion and making love is a connection of bodies."
* SpotlightStealingSquad: ''To Catch A Predator''.

* StupidStatementDanceMix:
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hfm4kvVB0g An affectionate remix of some Dateline clips has become very popular on Youtube.]]
** And after that, a Stupid Statement ''Dubstep'' (of course) Mix was made by Sadhu, simply entitled, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dq4powSXNc "Chris Hansen".]]

* ThisIsGonnaSuck: See OhCrap - especially the guys who have seen the show before and know that as soon as Chris Hansen appears, their life is pretty much over.
* ThreeWaySex: A disturbing example. There was a married couple who wanted to have sex with one of the decoys (though only the husband showed up at the house).
* TooDumbToLive: Any predator that's seen this show and still shows up could count, but special mention should go to John Kennelly who was caught entering the house naked and was caught having another explicit chat with a decoy less than 24 hours later.
* TranquilFury: Chris does an excellent job maintaining himself professionally but there are moments where he raises his voice at someone, and you can tell he's holding back from smacking some of the men he confronted.
* TwoWordsAddedEmphasis: "Two words for you: Roleplaying chatroom, [[VerbalTic dude]]!"
* VillainousBreakdown: More than one predator completely loses it.
* VillainousBSOD: One predator went still and literally fell out of his chair to faceplant into the kitchen cabinet, after learning that he was being recorded.

* {{Irony}}: Chris has gotta be feeling pretty foolish after [[http://purplejesus.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/pedobearwin.jpg this]].

''"I'm Chris Hansen with Dateline NBC, and we're doing a story on [[TVTropesWillRuinYourLife tropers.]] If there's any other tropes you'd like to add, feel free to do so. Otherwise, [[http://www.tvtropes.org you're free to leave this page anytime.]]"''

-->--'''Chris Hansen''', [[OnceAnEpisode every time they "catch a predator".]]

* AdultFear / TruthInTelevision: The dangers that TCAP confronted were very much real life fears that are among parent's worst nightmares.
* AffablyEvil: Most of the predators are surprisingly polite when they are caught.

* DirtyCoward: A few predators have run away once they saw Chris and some others have cried and begged for mercy when they were about to get arrested.

* ScreamsLikeALittleGirl: One guy is accidentally tasered when the police swoop in to arrest him. HilarityEnsues.

* DepravedHomosexual: Other times, the subjects of the show are gay, plain and simple.

* DoubleEntendre: One of the more notable predators on the show was [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZK7Zx7s0Vg this man]], who got busted ''twice'' in 24 hours (despite having an OhCrap moment after the first meeting, he wasn't deterred from initiating a second). In his second meeting, when he is confronted at the McDonald's he asked the decoy to meet up at, he thrice says immediately upon meeting Chris that he "just came to get something to eat!" A line with a both ironic and harsh double meaning because while the man meant to say that he had only came to get food, his words could be viewed as him getting something to eat (regarding an act of molestation he might have performed on his supposed victim).

* SyndicationTitle: Many of the hourlong true-crime documentaries are rebroadcast on {{MSNBC}} under individual titles without the ''Dateline'' branding.

->''"When a show makes you feel sorry for potential child rapists, you know it's doing the wrong thing."''
-->--'''[[Creator/CharlieBrooker Charlie Brooker]]''', ''[[UsefulNotes/BritishNewspapers The Guardian]]''

The launch of ''Series/RockCenter [[AwesomeMcCoolname with Brian Williams]]'' in November 2011 suggests that NBC knows that ''Dateline'' should never be omnipresent on the main network schedule again.

The launch of ''RockCenter [[AwesomeMcCoolname with Brian Williams]]'' in November 2011 suggests that NBC knows that ''Dateline'' should never be omnipresent on the main network schedule again.

* LongRunners: Has aired since 1992. Furthermore, it was also NBC's first successful news magazine after failed attempts such as Prime Time Saturday/Sunday[[note]]not to be confused with the long-running ABC news magazine UsefulNotes/PrimeTime Live[[/note]]; NBC Magazine[[note]]best known for being the final NBC series for iconic anchor David Brinkley before his departure for ABC[[/note]] and Monitor[[note]]named after a long-running NBC radio news and variety show[[/note]].