Plot Synopsis

UNDER THE INFLUENCE is a one-hour documentary series that goes behind celebrity scandals, revealing a web of destructive behavior, unsupportive friends, unfortunate circumstances and really poor choices that led up to their undoing. Each 60-minute episode explores two infamous star scandals where negative influences and toxic people sent celebrities down the wrong path and led to the wildest and saddest celebrity downfalls of all time. The series opener highlights the influencers and bad decisions surrounding Heath Ledger and River Phoenix that led to their untimely deaths. Both Ledger and Phoenix were popular and talented young actors who earned early acclaim but off-screen their lives were hidden in secret. Phoenix was a troubled kid trying to keep up with a wild Hollywood crowd while Ledger was anxious and uncomfortable with being in the public spotlight. Wanting to fit in and being weary of fame shouldn't spell death but swirling around Ledger and Phoenix were troublesome friends, poisonous addictions and simple bad luck. Subsequent episodes feature: Lindsay Lohan & Britney Spears; Lauryn Hill & Amy Winehouse; Philip Seymour Hoffman & Cory Monteith; John Belushi & Chris Farley; and George Michael & Prince.
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On Friday, August 11, 2017 at 9pm ET/6pm PT, ReelzChannel premiered the season finale of UNDER THE INFLUENCE. The season ender is an investigation into the mysterious circumstances behind the sudden deaths of Prince and George Michael, which were only months apart.