According to the Latest Crime Statistics found on the FBI’s website there were 10,329,135 crimes committed in the year 2010 and every year information can be heard in the television news about new laws being passed. Considering both these facts, it is no wonder America is obsessed with criminals and the law. There are numerous shows on television and it seems a new one is always coming out.
Just the other day I was watching television and saw the preview for a new season of the show “Fairly Legal” on the USA network. USA also has a new show called “Common Law” which is due to air in May. Several of the local networks have shows dealing with criminals and the law:
ABC – “Castle”, “Body of Proof”, and “Rookie Blue” CBS – “NCIS”, “CSI”, “Criminal Minds” and “Hawaii Five-O” USA – “In Plain Sight”, “Law & Order”, and “Burn Notice”
America’s obsession has been around for quite a while. Just a few of some of the older television shows dealing with crime and law are “Car 54″, “Andy Griffith”, “Cagney & Lacey”, “Chips”, and “Judging Amy.” Many of these shows can still be seen as reruns on television.
Unfortunately crime is not limited to television. It seems no where in society are citizens untouched by crime. If we have not been a victim ourselves, then generally we know someone who has been a victim of a crime. If not, all you need to do is turn on the news or open a newspaper. Since we are forced to face so much crime in reality, the question begs, “Why are Americans obsessed with fictional television shows dealing with crimes and the law?” Obviously the theme continues to be highly popular with America’s television viewing audience.
Here are a few thoughts on possible answers for this obsession. I believe most people, as human beings, are searching for a happy ending. If the ending can’t be found, then we at least want justice served or a lesson on how to cope better with things. Also, I think these shows give us the endings, albeit fictional, we wish occurred more in the scenarios of our real lives. If nothing else, sometimes at least for a brief period of time, it provides a distraction from the often times chaos of reality.
http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/september/crime_091911/crime_091911
http://www.cbs.com/
http://abc.go.com/shows
http://www.usanetwork.com/