On to my next rant >>> and as usual, it has nothing to do with mystery authors or their books…
I watch a few crime shows on television. I have written about that before… many times! While I enjoy these types of shows, I do have a rather major irritation with some of them. (Yes, I know that I am easily irritated! And, yes, it’s a major irritation for me. Also, I should actually say that it’s all of the shows I watch, not just some of them!)
Have you ever noticed that whenever a television SWAT team is called in to surround a house or ram a door open, the “stars” of the show are the people at the very front of the line? And have you ever noticed that as the “stars” fearlessly lead the SWAT team, our “stars” may have a few pieces of body armor/shields on (tight enough to show us the “stars” physiques!) but they don’t wear protective helmets. All of the SWAT-ers have on heavy duty helmets with protective eye shields as well as bulky body armor. Our fearless “stars” have on body-hugging armor and perfectly coiffed hair! Even our male “stars!” Good grief! I know it’s only television, but really!!!
I have learned to get over it, time and time again. But it does seem like the special effects are getting more and more realistic looking on these shows… Now we, the viewers, are asked to see very realistic looking wounds while at the same time we see this absurdity.
PS >>> You may wonder why I use quotation marks around the word s-t-a-r… Well, the day that one of these “stars” finds the cure for cancer (and actually deserves the outrageous salary that he/she commands) is the day I’ll really see these “stars” as truly STARS!
Laura says
I totally agree with your PS, Danna! As for those shows, I never watch them. The only crime show I watch is “Castle” and that is with the understanding that it is an entertaining fantasy.
Kirsten says
My pet peeve is the CSI shows. Since when do the crime scene techs investigate the crime. These guys (and gals) are interrogating and chasing the crooks down. Wrong!
That is why I don’t watch the CSIs. I like the Law & Order franchise as they are quite a bit more real life. I don’t expect total realism, but please!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Oh my goodness, Kirsten! That is exactly why I don’t watch any of those CSI shows. I tried watching the original one a few times with my daughter, but could absolutely not get over the crime technicians doing all of the “interrogating and chasing”!!! That was just too much for me!
gad1n10 says
I agree with the CSI/NCIS comments. Also, you seldom see the morgue staff wearing protective gear either… especially facemasks/faceshields. It was the same on Crossing Jordan. I especially liked the way the lady in Miami was dressed-to-the-nines when she arrived at the crime scene!
Edie Dykeman says
Recently, I started noticing the difference in helmet/no helmet so many times that it is now irritating me. NCIS LA and Criminal Minds in particular just this past week. Just waiting for a stray shot to get one of them…
Marla says
What really bothers me about “realism” in tv and movies – why is it necessary to see someone throw up? And to see what comes out? Didn’t it used to be more discreet? I love “L&O:CI” reruns Mondays on USA channel – There was the one about the machete-wielding kids. They showed the real estate agent throwing up (spewing is more like it) and all that went with it! UGH!!
linda says
Another old posting_I REALLY have nothing to do today!!! TV shows like Walker, Texas Ranger, have Walker, Alex or one of more of the other main characters being held hostage, or dying in the hospital, or whatever and we are left with the idea “Oh no! Will he live or not!!!!?? Well, for crying out loud! I hadn’t read anywhere that these people were going off the show! So we know those people will “pull through!”
Give me a “Mystery!!!!!!! PLEASE.””””