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Arts & Entertainment

TV, The Guide to the Perfect Crime


By

Jen Chung

Published Feb 1, 2006

Modified Mar 7, 2008


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By

Jen Chung

Published Feb 1, 2006

Modified Mar 7, 2008


Share

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This morning, the Today show had one of those alarmist segments about how TV programs like CSI and Law & Order are bad for law enforcement. Why? Because now criminals are learning how to cover their tracks by destroying evidence, like the crime scene. And as regular citizens are watching more crime procedurals, they expect police to do a better job of apprehending criminals - and the prosecution of supplying definitive evidence. Of course, the segment being on NBC, CSI seemed to be blamed many more times to just one mention of L&O. Gothamist does think that everyone (including us) is an armchair detective/prosecutor these days, especially since we marvel at the stupidity of some criminals. But if the Nielsen ratings mean anything, crime folks can stop worrying and suburbanites should start, as it's all about suburban ennui. Or people who want to be famous singers on reality shows.

And the Armchair Detective story in David Sedaris's Me Talk Pretty One Day is a favorite.

Tagged

crime

david

David Sedaris

gothamist

law

law enforcement

Me Talk Pretty One Day

nbc

One Day

people

police

tv


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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