7/25/07: COPS (est. 1989)As stated way too often here, we attempt to be a respite from the ever-echoing blogosphere. Still, last night’s Democratic presidential debate got us thinking about brilliant television. There’s been a lot of talk about CNN’s moronic debate where the poor candidates had to answer video clips culled from YouTube. Most people wisely dismiss it as a desperate attempt to hold onto some kind of youth market, as CNN convinces us that they’re as hip as ever.
The bigger story, though, is Big Media’s determination to turn the 2008 election into a reality show. That couldn’t save the Miss America Pageant, but all the usual suspects are thrilled with the idea of being able to beat back any Swiftboating—or, as non-media types call it, “truth-telling.” A reality-show format will give the network news plenty of leeway to provide the Dems with lovable facetime under the new guise of campaign coverage.
This could work out well for the Republican Party—not that they really deserve it. We’ve met plenty of Leftist news reporters who’ve privately expressed how they’ve met hated figures such as Ann Coulter or Bob Dole, and found them all to be very likable. It’s always presented as a big shock. These reporters just can’t imagine that the demons hiding under their bed have been, you know, demonized.
In that same spirit, Big Media will look at any Democratic candidate and see a swell human being. Ordinary people will see things differently. And while we have our problems with the GOP, we’ll gladly admit that all their current candidates certainly come across as more likable than many conservative pundits. Go ahead and keep the cameras on Giuliani—expect for when he’s dopey enough to complain about Swiftboating.
Meanwhile, Joe Biden and his ilk will keep getting chances to dismiss ordinary citizens as mentally ill. The networks, of course, will bring in the dopiest regular guys and gals to represent Republicans. Nothing new there.
Anyway, today’s big hook is that most of reality television serves the conservative cause. And since we need an example to fit our format, let’s salute the greatness of
COPS.
We take
COPS for granted nowadays, but that only proves its subversive genius. We got plenty of disbelieving phone calls during an early episode with a sting operation set in a ghetto. There was scene after scene of crooks breaking into a trailer-truck full of boxes with police officers hidden inside. Nobody could believe that a network television show would so casually run a long stretch of criminal activity committed by anyone other than white-collar criminals. Also, we never knew it would be so hilarious to watch.
Naturally,
COPS was soon charged with being racist. It was the usual thing where Leftists felt they were the only ones sensitive enough to understand that not all black people are criminals. More accurately, Leftists think most black people are inclined to be criminals due to root causes, and it seemed cruel that
COPS didn’t provide a disclaimer.
The complainants weren’t watching the show. Criminals and
COPS are both equal-opportunity offenders. Keep in mind that network dramas continue to insist that all drunken wife beaters are successful white executives of a Republican stereotype.
COPS balances that with domestic-violence calls that routinely lead to white guys in trailer parks and meth dens. The show’s practically a Fairness Doctrine in itself.
COPS—and reality television in general—has replaced bubblegum music as the naked truth. The rooty-tooty gangsta’s of rap music can keep talking about their drug deals and big cars and bling.
COPS takes us into the crappy little world that they truly inhabit. The regular busts are also full of old hippies and related morons at the other side of a gateway drug.
In fact, it’s depressing how much of the show is taken up by domestic violence and drug-related crime.
COPS is the cure for Libertarians who rant against drug laws. Watch a few episodes, and you won’t support legalizing drugs until there are several other laws outlawing selfish douchebaggery.
Anyway,
COPS puts a real face on people that the Left want us to see as victims—just like those moronic YouTube clips put a face on the Leftists who usually have their questions funneled through personable comrades in the news media. Let’s see more footage of snowmen worrying about global warming. Let’s also see Republican candidates who refuse to answer anybody but real human beings—or who’ll say, “The only puppet I’ll respond to this evening is Anderson Cooper.”
Make it your own: You can watch up to three straight hours of
COPS on television some nights, so maybe a DVD isn’t necessary. The
theme shows are fun, though.
And, no, we aren't forgetting that
some cops can be creeps.
COPS, however, serves a purpose.
