"P.I. Moms" Showrunner Calls Chris Butler 'the Weak Link'

The Unaired Reality Show That Never Took Off

In a recent Netflix documentary titled Trainwreck: P.I. Moms, the showrunner of an unaired reality series opens up about the production's failure to launch. The show, which was set to follow a group of mothers working as private investigators, never made it to air due to a series of events that unfolded behind the scenes.

The Lifetime network greenlit the project in 2010 under the name P.I. Moms. It aimed to showcase the lives of these women who operated within an agency led by Chris Butler, a former police officer and private detective. However, the series was never broadcasted after Butler’s crimes were exposed by a jealous male coworker.

The documentary delves into the cancellation of the production and its impact on the cast and crew. Lucas Platt, the showrunner, recalls his initial concerns about Butler's role in the show. “As we started shooting, I really saw Chris as the weak link,” he says. “I couldn’t tell if he was just the type of person who played everything really close to the vest or shy.”

Platt expressed worry about the kind of characters that typically fail in reality TV. “I was concerned because quiet, inarticulate, awkward characters in reality TV are death,” he continues. However, he believed the moms’ stories could carry the show. “I knew if we focused on them, not him, we could make something great.”

A Scandal Unfolds

As the documentary progresses, it reveals that Butler was involved in selling contraband drugs that had been seized by the Contra Costa County Task Force. Carl Marino, an aspiring actor and investigator, played a key role in exposing Butler’s crimes through a sting operation. Marino had previously been removed from the show for allegedly spreading misinformation about the production and the mothers.

According to NBC, Butler received an eight-year prison sentence and was ordered to pay a $20,000 fine for his involvement in the crime alongside former police officer Louis Lombardi. After his sentencing, Butler issued an apology to the community and the law enforcement community for the harm caused.

Denise Antoon, one of the P.I. Moms, reflects on Butler and Marino in an emotional segment of the documentary. She says, “Chris and Carl just took it away from everybody. They put their desires above everybody else's, and so many were affected by that show.”

Antoon also shares her disappointment about the show being taken away from the cast. “I know for a lot of people, they're like, ‘It’s just a show.’ But it was a show we were really passionate about, sharing our stories and empowering other women to do this kind of work. And then it was gone. It was taken away from us.”

The Role of Carl Marino

Marino, who was involved in the sting operation, claims that the show was never going to air anyway due to his undercover work. “I am the only person, besides my wife, that knew everything that was going on,” he says. “I am the only person in this whole mess that did the right thing, for the right reasons, at extreme risk to my life, I might add. I am very proud of what I did. My wife is as well.”

His statements highlight the complex dynamics between the cast, crew, and the individuals involved in the scandal. The documentary includes interviews with Platt, Ami Wiltz, and others who were part of the original project.

The Trainwreck Series

Trainwreck: P.I. Moms is part of the Trainwreck series, which launched in 2022. Previous episodes explored various high-profile incidents, such as the 2009 "Balloon Boy" incident, a disastrous "Poop Cruise," and the downfall of the American Apparel brand.

The documentary is now available for streaming on Netflix. It offers a compelling look into the challenges of producing reality television and the consequences of personal ambitions conflicting with professional goals.