BS High

In the world where documentaries often tread the line between sobering realities and the absurd, "BS High" pirouettes over that line wearing clown shoes, executing a flawless landing into the realm of the utterly unbelievable. This cinematic journey into the Bishop Sycamore High School scandal is akin to watching a trainwreck in slow motion, except the train is made of lies, the tracks are made of dreams, and the conductor is none other than Roy Johnson, with a whistle that seems to only play the tunes of deception. The film masterfully strings together interviews with the former head coach, his colleagues, key journalists like Andrew King and Bomani Jones, a determined school sports investigator Ben Ferree, and the bewildered players who rode this train, providing a narrative so wild it would make fiction writers blush.

Directors Martin Desmond Roe and Travon Free make the audience oscillate between uproarious laughter and jaw-dropping disbelief. Through candid interviews with Johnson, Branham, Peterson, and the players, the film peels back the layers of this onion of deceit, and yes, there are tears. The inclusion of journalists and Ferree adds a crucial layer of seriousness to the mix, providing just enough grounding to remind us that this saga, unbelievably, is not a work of fiction. Their incredulous expressions as they recount the unraveling of BS High's façade are worth the price of admission alone.

But it's not just the scandal that steals the show; it's the way "BS High" presents it. Like a magician revealing his tricks, the documentary lays bare the mechanics of the scam with a flair for the dramatic. It's a rollercoaster that you didn't know you needed a ticket for, with twists and turns that leave you questioning the very fabric of reality. In the end, "BS High" is a testament to the truth being stranger than fiction, and a reminder that sometimes, reality needs no embellishment to be thoroughly entertaining. Hats off to the filmmakers for turning one of the most baffling stories in high school sports history into a five-star cinematic experience.

Roy, con-artist extraordinaire, lies, steals and manipulates his way into establishing an illegal football academy selling false hopes to vulnerable youth. The premise is enticing, but ultimately hearing directly from Roy for so much time spoils the experience. He might honestly be one of the least like-able personas on TV.

You'll feel complicit watching this documentary giving Roy exactly what he's always wanted - attention. And thats the rub. I was interested to hear more about the outlandish tales, but within the context of not acknowledging Roy for being some incredible entrepreneur and hustler. Anyone who takes advantage of kids like that shouldn't be provided any sort of limelight to explain their side of the story.

Partly my fault for wasting my time anymore now that serial documentaries are the 'erudite' alternative to reality programs for relatively cheap to produce streaming filler entertainment. I really can't take this glorification of a psychopath as star of the show to drive this story, it's sickening. It makes all the investigators and journalists complicit to the crime of glorifying his behavior simply by giving him a mic and a camera lens. It's not about anything else than Roy Johnson, so the title, pun included, and certainly the descriptions are deceiving. It's a cringe filled story you've heard many times before only this has been stretched from a 30-60 minute spot to a serial, a meta con with in a con with in a con. HBO is over. 30 on 30 produces much better sports documentaries. Notable quotes: "i could tell you some stories you'd never believe, but I'd literally say whatever I need to say to pull that dog up out you." "One of those stoid kids, I mean one of those young men that I like..."

I would have preferred this documentary to not have the scumbag Roy in it. He tries to come off as a guy that just does what he wants, whenever he wants and laughs about it.

I feel for the kids that were swindled by him. Roy belongs in jail. He even asks am I in jail? He should be. He's a pathological liar. He says he is the most honest liar he knows. That says a lot about him.

I don't understand how any parent didn't check in to this at all. How can you not be interested in it your child's grades?

I think the actual production of the documentary was ok. I think the execution of it was poor. They give Roy way too much camera time.

'BS High' (2023) is entertaining but only due to the shocking story of how a football school can be created out of nothing and compete against the best teams despite not being legit.

Bishop Sycamore High School led by Roy Johnson is/was not an actual high school or prep school for sports. It is probably the most notorious example of a "fake" school in recent years. No academics or standards just immature leadership governing young men who were seeking opportunity and guidance. This type of fake sport school exists outside of football with ice hockey being another notable example, but Roy Johnson misled not just players and their families, but duped a nation of athletic directors, coaches, and major news networks like ESPN.

This documentary will show you the horrifying character that Roy Johnson is. He speaks honestly and yet lies the whole time. He admits fault and opens up but we can't know what really happened because his word is just so convincing.

Whether you love amateur athletics or pure drama, this documentary will keep you entertained (although mostly from anger). Its worth taking the time to watch it and might just stick with you the next time you watch high school athletics.