COPS (series): Difference between revisions

{{work|wppage=Cops (TV program)}}

''COPS'' iswas a reality show that iswas "filmed on location with the men and women of law enforcement", which means it's was incredibly cheap to make. It iswas also the [[Long Runners|longest-running]] [[Reality Show]] on television (it premiered inon FOX on March 11, 1989), where it ran until 2013; theit then ran on Spike/Paramount Network until May 11, 2020). The show hashad a proven formula that has remained popular for years, and it iswas part of the longest unchanged nightly schedule in American television ([[FOX]]'s Saturday night schedule; the other show in that schedule iswas ''[[America's Most Wanted]]''). ''COPS'' iswas arguably the most realistic [[Reality Show]] on television: there iswas absolutely no script and no narration outside of the opening credits; everything you seesaw iswas real people in real situations.

The basic premise iswas as follows: camera crews follow police officers in various cities as they go about their jobs. While your average police officer's job is generally mundane, ''COPS'' makes it look rather... well, not glamorous, but certainly more action-packed than usual. There's were generally a few chases, a few drug busts, a couple of prostitution busts, and more than a few instances of ([[Shirtless Scene|usually shirtless]]) trailer trash. Only ''[[Jerry Springer]]'' has more trailer trash per episode than ''COPS''.

''COPS'' dealsdealt with issues from basic domestic disturbances to neighborhood disputes and complaints; the camera crew, it should be noted, is wearing body armor, and, in some cases, they're peace officers themselves. (andAnd occasionally, they getgot involved in the action -- one member of the camera crew in a particular episode was an off-duty sheriff's deputy, and had to drop the camera at one point to assist in subduing a rowdy suspect!).

It's been parodied more than a few times, but you can't argue with success: ''COPS'' seems like it'll be here to stay.

There have been disagreements between police departments and production companies, especially when it comes to the "right to privacy" provisions of US (and Canadian) law; film and television crews fightfought hard for the public's right to know and "freedom of information", but police agencies cooperating with ''COPS'' crews protestprotested that the "right to know" does not trump the individual's right to privacy and security of person.

Eventually, it was decided, in consultation with the producers of ''COPS'', that the individual's right to privacy should be respected, and that the faces, license-plates, and addresses of those featured on the show must be obscured in post -production. People who signsigned waivers appearappeared without [[Pixellation]], so every drunk, naked ranting guy being handcuffed said at some point, "Yes, I want to appear on TV like this." Ninety percent of arrested suspects optopted to appear without blurring.

* [[Long Runners]]: ''COPS'' has been runningran for over twentythirty-three yearsseasons, making it the longest-running reality show in history. Also, the Fox Saturday night schedule thatwhich included it is a part of was the longest-running unchanged nightly schedule on American television.

* [[Real Song Theme Tune]]: "Bad Boys" by Inner Circle. The song was initially recorded and released in 1987, two years before ''Cops'' premieredpremièred. However, it wasn't issued as a single in the United States until 1993, where it promptly went to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 because [[The Red Stapler|it was the theme song for]] ''Cops''.

=== {{Examples|Fictional Versions: ===and Parodies include:}}

[[Category:CopsTV Series]]