Comedian Billy Eichner took aim at the Church of Scientology in the latest installment of his TruTV web series “Billy on the Street.”
Eichner called on “SNL” alum Rachel Dratch to complete a hilarious obstacle course he called “Leah Remini’s Escape from Scientology,” which took shots at the controversial religion’s famous members and some of its rules and rituals.
To start, Dratch climbed a ladder to sign the billion-year contract all new church members must agree to (detailed in the HBO documentary “Going Clear”). From there, she married a “cousin” of prominent Scientologist Giovanni Ribisi while a sparkly green alien served as officiant.
Then it was on to rescue children from Sea Org, a Scientology youth program that some have alleged enlists children and adult volunteers in servitude at sea. After freeing the youngsters and passing by “Elisabeth Moss” sitting at a cafe table, Dratch was tasked with freeing dozens of men clad only in bath towels from “John Travolta‘s shed.”
The send-up comes at the close of a difficult year for the church. “Going Clear,” directed by Alex Gibney, caused a firestorm when it premiered in March. Gibney told TheWrap that former church members featured in the documentary were threatened with financial ruin and physical harm for their participation.
In April, Gibney demanded the IRS repeal the church’s tax-exempt status. Months later in the fall, actress Remini had a very public breakup with the church — detailing her experiences in a sit-down with “20/20.”