Lifetime Releases Trailer for Its 'College Admissions Scandal' TV Movie
Lifetime released the first trailer for its upcoming movie, The College Admissions Scandal, which includes characters who appear to be inspired by Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin.
- When news of the college admissions scandal broke, it made headlines around the world.
- Two of the most high profile people caught in the scandal were actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, who appear to be the inspiration for the main characters in Lifetime's "ripped from the headlines" TV movie, aptly titled The College Admissions Scandal.
- Lifetime released a trailer for the upcoming TV movie on Friday. It premieres on Lifetime on October 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
We all knew it was only a matter of time before someone made a movie inspired by the college admissions scandal that rocked the world earlier this year.
Lifetime appears to have gone into production on its take, aptly titled The College Admissions Scandal, within hours of the story breaking because a trailer is already out and the "ripped from the headlines" TV movie is slated to premiere in October. For those of you keeping score at home, that's a mere seven months after news of the scandal actually broke back in March.
If you need a refresher, the "college admissions scandal," as its come to be known (even though its code name among investigators—Operation Varsity Blues—was a way better option), involved a number of wealthy parents who paid to help get their kids into elite universities.
The parents in question did this with the help of the scheme's mastermind, a man named William Rick Singer, who got kids in to top college through his so-called "side door." This term encompassed a range of unscrupulous methods, from fixing SAT and ACT scores to arranging for students to receive spots on teams for sports they had never actually played—complete with photoshopped pictures of them "playing" said sports. It was, as they say, a whole thing.
Even though the admissions plot involved a bunch of wealthy parents, two in particular emerged as the faces of the scandal: Actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori "Aunt Becky" Loughlin.
Unsurprisingly, Lifetime's take on the scandal revolves around two moms who may or may not (but almost certainly are) based on the actresses. Behold, Felicity and Lori's Lifetime doppelgangers:
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
In the trailer, the blonde, Probably-Felicity-Huffman-Inspired mom (played by Penelope Ann Miller) is portrayed as a harried, over-anxious, but well-intentioned woman trying to do what's best for her kid:
The Probably-Lori-Loughlin-Inspired mom (played by Mia Kirshner) gets a less favorable treatment, going so far as to lecture her daughter about Darwinism to explain why what they're doing is A-OK:
Speaking of the kids, we also get a character who is, basically by default, going to be thought of as the Probably-Olivia-Jade-Inspired kid (played by Sarah Dugdale), who tragically, does not appear to be a sassy YouTube influencer:
We do, however, get a tease of a scene in which she brazenly poses in front of a blue screen playing soccer to fake the evidence that she deserves a spot on her fictional dream school's (based, no doubt, on USC, where Olivia Jade was admitted as a member of the crew team—in spite of, you know, not rowing crew at all) team.
Watch the ~dramatic~ trailer for Lifetime's The College Admissions Scandal below:
The movie is set to premiere on Lifetime (obviously) on October 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Prince Andrew's Business Advisor Accused of Being a "Spy" and Banned From the U.K.
"We found a way to get the relevant people unnoticed in and out of the house in Windsor."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Kate Middleton Allegedly Rejected Idea to Seat Prince Andrew "Behind a Pillar" at Her Christmas Carol Concert
"Although very much a family affair... there was no space for Uncle Andy."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
32 Celebrities Who Got Their Start on Reality TV
Believe it or not.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
The Best Inspirational Movies of All Time
You may want to keep a tissue box nearby.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
Women Make Up One-Third of the Best Director Nominees at the 2025 Golden Globes
Congratulations are in order for Coralie Fargeat and Payal Kapadia!
By Sadie Bell Published
-
Even After 20 Years, We Can’t Stop Thinking About Natalie Portman’s Pink Wig in 'Closer'
Christine Blundell, the star’s hair and makeup artist on the project, reflects on the bubblegum bob and its legacy as the film celebrates its 20th anniversary.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
The 27 Best Biopics About Musicians of All Time
We're still stunned by these performances—many of which took home Oscars.
By Nicole Briese Published
-
Part of 'Wicked’s Magic? Its Cinematographer, Alice Brooks
The ‘Wicked’ director of photography had an extensive process for creating an Oz like movie audiences have never seen before.
By Esther Zuckerman Published
-
Is Hope Springs, New York Real? What to Know About the 'Hot Frosty' Filming Locations
Here's everything we know about the winter wonderland the rom-com was shot in.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
The Best Movies to Watch If You're Getting Into Old Hollywood Musicals for the First Time
Cinephiles and theater kids would agree that these Old Hollywood films are iconic.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
The Best Movies About Female Friendship
From outrageous comedies to empowering dramas.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published