COPS TV Show

[SHRED]

Part of the corporate plan to place blame on the poor.

They knew making this show that little to no one, with anything to lose, would give permission to air their arrest.

[Webster Green]

1. I hate that voyeurist crap-fest!

I can't get to the remote fast enough when that shit comes on. Bunch of bully cops busting druggies, pot-heads, and hookers. Makes me hate cops even more than I already do.

The only good thing about the show is the intro song "Bad Boys" by the great reggae band Inner Circle. I've seen the band do it live enough times that I can afford to miss that as well.

[Retired AF Dem]

8. Sorry you hate cops

When someone like Dennis Rader comes to visit you will you still hate them? or will you take matters in your own hands like I'm prepared to do?

[Webster Green]

14. I know they aren't all bad, but it seems like most are bullies...

I understand that it is irrational to make a blanket statement like that. I've just had too many experiences that convince me that most cops take pleasure in making people miserable. I don't do well with authority figures in general.

I have no idea who Dennis Rader is, but I assume he is some very bad guy, and I get your point.

[Retired AF Dem]

16. Webster

he is the BTK killer out of Kansas.

[Webster Green]

25. Oh, yeah he seems like a real fun guy...

Really, I do get your point, and can't argue with it. We would be screwed without someone willing to step forward and do the job. I guess I should have said that I hate the cops who are bullies. Probably, what I really hate are a lot of the laws that they are required to enforce.

No intense offended! (Archie Bunker line)

[knowbody0]

2. blame the poor, and fear all blacks

fear, hatred and consumerism

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

3. Punishist porn.

Unlike sex porn, it's ACTUALLY a perversion.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. The purpose of COPS is to reinforce the stereotypes held by

middle class people, that the working class and poor are all criminals and lowlifes, especially if they are people of color.

[Retired AF Dem]

6. How can the working class be criminals

when they are out working? Most of the scenes on cops are fake just like most of the shit that comes out on the boob tube.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. As I recall, from what little I've seen, a lot of the "action" takes place

at night and consists of raids on meth labs or meth dealers.

[Retired AF Dem]

9. Being retired military and civilian law enforcement

most of what they show on cops is a bunch of bunk and is the reason I don't watch it.

[LuCifer]

5. Bill Hicks nailed it all...

..."WHY DON'T THEY JUST CALL IT 'STORM-TROOPER'?"

Lu Cifer, but you see, this is AmeriKKKan, land of the FREE! And we just love the police state baby!!!!!!

[SHRED]

10. Onward to...

the "police state".

Jeezus where is this country going? Or already went.

[LuCifer]

20. Is it any wonder why...

...gun sales are UP since W got "reelected"????

[deutsey]

24. Hicks' comments are what I think of whenever I see "Cops"

He said the larger message that the show sends out is that anyone anytime can come busting through your doors, too, so you better "behave."

[QueenOfCalifornia]

11. But....

Back in 1988, the first year COPS aired, I doubt that John Langley or Malcolm Barber had the intent to be part of the current "corporate plan" which then became the infamous trend of todays reality TV. I am not saying that you are wrong about those who would sign a release allowing FOX to use their dumb mug while sporting handcuffs, they most certainly have very little to lose.

To be the devils advocate for a moment, I also have to say that NO ONE is forcing them to take the money and sign the release. Part of this country's heritage, written into the Bill of Rights, is the preservation of free speech.

However distasteful this show may be to many folks it is still protected. That is why we all have the ability to change the channel.

If you want to find distasteful crap, you only have to watch the national news from any one of the three major networks... The big story a few days ago was Charlie Gibson telling me that there are people who are addicted to sun-tanning. Also, DID YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE OBESE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY????? That was the other, follow up story, on the news that same night.

While Gibson yammered on about tans and fat, Cindy Sheehan was sitting by the side of the road in Crawford TX. Not once was she mentioned on the national news.

To quote the wicked witch of the west:

"Oh what a world, what a world."

[Retired AF Dem]

15. Toast to a post

Welcome to DU
Being prior Law Enforcement exactly why I dont watch "Cop"s, bunch of BS.
:toast:

[SHRED]

29. Gilligan...

you are the best!

:pals:

[democracyindanger]

12. You don't need permission to air somebody's arrest.

[SHRED]

13. Then that makes COPS show...

even worse than I thought.

[Silverhair]

22. You don't need permission to air a public news event.

Otherwise, there would NEVER be any news footage. Can you imagine covering protest where you want news coverage, but before you can get it each person has to sign a release with each news media???

However, on the few times in the past couple of year that I have seen segments of the the show, (I never tune to it on purpose.) I have noticed that the faces of suspect have been blurred out.

[SHRED]

18. Are you sure about this?

COPS makes money from airing the arrests.
You mean they can profit without permission?

[democracyindanger]

21. Generally, yes.

When you're arrested you become a public figure. There are certainly exceptions, which is why sometimes the arrested people's faces are blurred, but generally the media doesn't need your permission if you committed a crime.

I'm working off of the memories of a Media Law class, but that's the general rule.

[SHRED]

23. wow

I just can't believe that a private company could profit off of a police video. In other words a whole show dedicated to this. I know the news profits.
I need more info.

[Silverhair]

27. It isn't a police video. News reporters ride with the police and

take private footage of the police in public events.

[SHRED]

28. So then...

FOX can have an "entertainment" show, make money off the suspects arrest video, and not pay them?

[Silverhair]

30. They probably list it as a special news type.

They are careful to state that it is actual footage of real police and real events.

[democracyindanger]

32. Yep.

Appropriation of a person's name or likeness for commercial or trade purposes without permission is an invasion of privacy and may be a violation of a person's right to publicity. Use of an individual's photograph, a sketch of the person, a nickname or a stage name are all considered use of a name or likeness. However, the publication of news and information in magazines, books, newspapers and news broadcasts is not considered a trade purpose, even though the mass medium may make a profit from such publication.
...
(re: Intrusion)
...The general rule is that there can be no privacy in a public place. What happens on the streets, in public places, in open view, are not situations in which a person enjoys a reasonable expectation of privacy.

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072492171/student_view0/chapter7/chapter_overview.html

There are also self-imposed standards that the media holds itself to, which you may think are demanded by law but actually aren't.

[SHRED]

33. Dead Kennedys come to mind

"Kill The Poor"

Efficiency and progress is ours once more
Now that we have the Neutron bomb
It's nice and quick and clean and gets things done
Away with excess enemy
But no less value to property
No sense in war but perfect sense at home:

The sun beams down on a brand new day
No more welfare tax to pay
Unsightly slums gone up in flashing light
Jobless millions whisked away
At last we have more room to play
All systems go to kill the poor tonight

Gonna
Kill kill kill kill Kill the poor:Tonight

Behold the sparkle of champagne
The crime rate's gone
Feel free again
O' life's a dream with you, Miss Lily White
Jane Fonda on the screen today
Convinced the liberals it's okay
So let's get dressed and dance away the night

While they:
Kill kill kill kill Kill the poor:Tonight

[SHRED]

38. About COPS from another board

Actually, they do need permission to show their faces or any other identifiable information. I recently saw an interview with the shows creator, and he was stating how he is always shocked that so many people, after being embarassingly arrested, just simply sign off on the waiver.

(And from the impression I got, there is no compensation and the release is signed before they go before a judge, so it can't be part of a plea deal - you might argue duress, though).

~~Plunderer

[William Bloode]

17. Yes cops blows.

You often see them be overly harsh with arrestees simply because they want to be a bad ass on camera.

I don't have a very high view of law enforcement to begin with as i tend to view them as oppressors and not "servants of the public".

[Beaver Tail]

19. I really have no understanding how ANYONE can watch faux Reality TV

From Big Brother to Temptation Island, Fear Factor and survivor, cops, American Idol and the rest of the crap, creating artificial situations for public consumption just like the Twinkies we buy at the corner store. We are not just filling our bodies with junk but our minds as well all for corporate profit.

This is the cholesterol of the brain, filling out neurons and synapses with trash designed to congest it from the healthy stuff.

Too bad The Discovery Channel, A&E and TLC have all fallen in the same trap and lost their meaningful programming.

[Silverhair]

26. Because that's what people WANT.

IF no one watched, then it would have quickly been dropped from the air. But enough people VOLUNTARILY tuned in so that the show made a profit.

Or maybe you would prefer that people be FORCED to watch what YOU consider beneficial.

I may not like to choices that the masses make, but I DO like that they have the freedom to make those choices.

[Beaver Tail]

36. I do know Why they watch

I just don't understand the need to saturate your life with such drivel. If there WAS a choice it wouldn’t be so bad but with TLC becoming the “Home Decorating Channel”, A&E becoming the “Law and Order Reruns Channel” and Discovery losing more science well...

There is nothing wrong with choice.. IF THERE IS A CHOICE.

[Silverhair]

37. Read a book, rent a movie, walk in a garden,

spend quality time with your other, browse the internet, etc.

[bnr65432]

31. bowling for columbine

micheal moore did a good segment on this in bowling for columbine

[SHRED]

34. I gotta see that again

Thanks!

[TheCentepedeShoes]

35. I watched it once

and felt like taking a shower after. What a sleazy excuse for "entertainment." That said, the "X-Files" did a fake "Cops" - like episode (something about a werewolf stalking the neighborhood) that was pretty good.