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Dateline NBC ·Sep 21, 2026 ·2 min

Preview: Jeremy Renner on Before & After with Lester Holt

Evaluation and Summary

2.5/10

This is a 2-minute preview clip from Dateline NBC's new podcast series "Before & After with Lester Holt." The preview promotes the second episode, which features actor Jeremy Renner discussing his January 2023 snowplow accident that caused severe injuries. According to the description, Renner talks about what he learned from the experience and explains why he characterizes it as "one of the best things that ever happened to him." The preview serves as a teaser to drive listeners to the full episode, available free through search or via paid subscription to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or DatelinePremium.com. Premium subscribers receive early access to episodes and ad-free listening. The show is hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company.

Verdict: This is a promotional teaser, not a standalone episode, so it functions as marketing rather than content; listeners seeking actual substance should skip the preview and go directly to the full episode if interested.

True Crime rubric

  • Research depth n/a

    A 2-minute preview clip provides insufficient material to assess research depth; the full episode content is not described.

  • Storytelling n/a

    As a promotional teaser rather than the full episode, narrative structure cannot be evaluated from the description alone.

  • Respect for victims 3/5 25%

    The framing centers Renner's own perspective and growth rather than exploiting the accident, though this is a preview and full episode approach is unknown.

  • Substance 1/5 25%

    A 2-minute preview is inherently filler designed to promote the full episode; it contains no substantive content, only a teaser.

  • Delivers on its title 3/5 25%

    The preview mentions the snowplow accident and Renner's reflections, which aligns with the "Before & After" concept, but delivers only a glimpse rather than full coverage.

  • Value for time 1/5 25%

    A 2-minute promotional clip is not designed to provide value; it exists solely to drive listeners to the paid or full free version.

How we score True Crime

Worth it if you're already a Dateline fan curious about the full Jeremy Renner interview and willing to click through to the complete episode.

Content flags

  • Ad-heavy The preview is essentially a 2-minute advertisement for Dateline Premium subscription and the full episode; it contains no editorial content.

Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.

Show notes

Hey, Dateline fans. Here’s a special preview of the second episode of our new podcast series, Before & After with Lester Holt. In this episode, Lester talks to actor Jeremy Renner about the snowplow accident that nearly killed him, what he’s learned, and why he says it’s one of the best things that ever happened to him. Search Before & After with Lester Holt to listen to the full episode now, completely free. Or subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or DatelinePremium.com . Subscribers get early access to new episodes and can listen to all Dateline podcasts ad-free. swap.fm/l/bapfd Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode page

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