TVSquad

The Fox Reality Channel is one of the most addictive substances on the planet. You don't tune in with any expectation of entertainment value or enlightening philosophical knowledge that will help you understand the universe and all of its foilbles.

It's the broadcast equivalent of a really bad cold sore, the kind you know deep down will only go away if you just leave it alone. But the longer you leave it be, the more you can hear it calling your name, begging you to touch it, asking you to fondle it, pleading with you to lick it like a drunken prom date.

Every time my remote fumbles past the FRC in search of something worth watching, it's hard not to stop in and see just how low they can sink to grab your attention. My mind always asks the same question when I dare to poke the reality show behemoth with a stick during its slumber: "Just how low can the network that created Cops, World's Wildest Police Chases, and When Animals Attack 2 go?" As it turns out, pretty damn low as evidenced by Smile...You're Under Arrest.

I've never understood the term "guilty pleasure." I figure that if I enjoy something -- a song, a TV show, a movie, etc, I shouldn't feel guilty about it. Yeah, so I have a couple REO Speedwagon songs on my iPod, what of it?

The only TV show that kinda falls into the "guilty pleasure" category for me is Cops. I never make a point of watching it, but when it's on, I can't turn it off. Still, the whole time that tiny angel sits on my shoulder telling me I really shouldn't get my entertainment through the misery of others.

And so, it's with the utmost hypocrisy that I tell you how much I dislike the idea behind the new FOX series, Smile, You're Under Arrest. The series will trick individuals with outstanding warrants into thinking they're being awarded with prizes or money when in fact the police are waiting to arrest them. The concept comes from the brain of producer Scott Satin (Who Wants to Be a Superhero?), who is working with the (in)famous Joe Arpaio, the Maricopa County Sheriff (Arizona) whose tough stance on criminals has garnered him scorn from some and accolades from others.