I've been watching Cops on Fox for about 15 years, last night being the latest time. Every time I watch the program, I have the same question: Why do so few people (suspects, witnesses, etc.) comment on the fact that a camera operator and a sound person are following these cops around?I'd say that 99 percent of the people are never heard saying anything about this. Maybe all the comments are edited out. I know that I might be inclined to ask, as an aside, "By the way, where are the camera guys from?" Or maybe I would be so shocked to have a need for contact with the police that I wouldn't care.
And that 1 percent that I inferred? I can remember a time or two where a suspect looks into the camera and says something like, "Get out of my house." But I think the camera is allowed to go where the cops go by law, so that's not an issue.
And while I'm commenting about this show, how do the producers decide whose faces are shown and whose faces are blurred out? Is it merely decided by which ones are later found guilty and which ones aren't? I don't think so, because even sidelookers are blurred out sometimes. It must be a major headache to go through 22 minutes of tape and figure out which people and things to blur out.
Of course, maybe I should forget all of this and just enjoy the show.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Aram said...
I remember watching behind-the-scenes documentary on Cops (on TLC I think) and the producers said they need to get releases from people in order to show their faces on the show. of course, why a criminal who has just been caught with drugs would agree to show his face is beyond me :)
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
FX Viewer said...
Same with me, never understand why they would allow themselves to be shown on TV. It almost seems like they called the cops themselves only to get their 15sec of fame. Imagine asking everyone to sign release forms for 15yrs. WOW! That's a lot of paperwork.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Meb said...
I've often thought that myself. No one ever asks about what the heck these cameras are. Really weird. Another thing too is that when they're doing drug busts and stuff and the cops are being quiet and all, these cameras with bright lights, etc are following them. To me, that doesn't seem very safe. Or the undercover prostitute stings or drug stings outside of apartment buildings. Why can't the suspects SEE these cameras. I know some are the hidden cameras, cause you can't see very well, but others are just like all the other tapings. Really bizarre. I also wonder if the presence of the cameras affects the behaviors of the police at all? I know I'd act differently if I knew it was going to be shown over and over again, ad nauseam. LOL
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
jason said...
there was a behind the scenes not too long ago on VH1 (of all places).
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Doug said...
The priority in the editing room of COPS, and for that matter all these reality-based shows, is to ratchet up the conflict. Any self-reflexive moments caught on tape are usually cut out, or only kept in the show if they add to the salaciousness. Yeah, just enjoy the show.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
TDavid said...
Lest we forget: innocent until proven guilty.
Used to love Cops but grew tired of seeing basically the same takedowns over and over again. Would be nice if they'd do more human interest pieces with the cops rather than: "Hi, I'm Officer Dan and now we're going to shake down this prostitute." Most of a Cops work is pretty uneventful and routine, so they must have to follow along on a huge number of calls in order to get the dramatic footage they show on TV.
As for the cameras? That's a great point. You can see the light of the camera in some shots so you just know these alleged criminals can see them. Maybe they are looking at this like the people on People's Court. 15 minutes of fame and something they can brag to their friends about: "Dude, I was on Cops!"
Would be interesting to see an After Cops show that indicates how many plea bargain out or never even get prosecuted for what they were arrested for. That would probably be more shocking to some than Cops.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Chris said...
Couple of things to hit, 1. The lights aren't always on. If asked the cameramen turn the lights off. Also, the cameramen are experienced combat photogs usually. 2. "Who's the guy with the camera", may have been common in earlier seasons but now, who hasn't heard of COPS? Also, if the police show up and start to arrest your boyfriend WTF do you care who the guy with the camera is. 3. There was a show that dealt with the actual court side of things, people didn't watch it. No one ran anywhere. 4. If you're a criminal and have friends, they're likely criminal as well or they know you're a criminal. Being on COPS can be a point of pride for a certain element so why not let them show your face? 5. They usually spend about two weeks in a town.
Finally, as for how most Police job is rather humdrum and routine but COPS only shows the exciting stuff. I don't think that's true. Domestic abuse calls happen all the time and routinely end up the way you see on COPS. Bad guys run from cops and jump fences and hide in do houses. Cops get called out to shoot snakes off rooftops (one of my favorite episodes that took place in my area). They don't go to towns where crime is low and the routine is routine. They go to towns where crime happens with frequency. Hence, there's frequent action. One of the hallmarks of COPS is that this crazy stuff happens everywhere and usually you're totally unaware of it because the police are doing their job.
Also, (damn, messed up on the "finally" statement) if COPS seems repetitive it's because dumb crooks keep doing the same dumb things.
The biggest question I have is this. Everyone has seen an episode of COPS. You know that if you run 9 out of 10 you'll get caught and it will cost you more in the end. So, why do they still friggin run? Radios, helicopters, dogs! Don't run. You'll just end up in your underwear on national TV.
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