Reality TV Show Idea: Crime and Punishment
I’ve also been a fan of the courtroom shows starting with “The People’s Court.” I have to admit, however, that some of the most recent incarnations of these shows seem a little contrived and the people who appear on the shows are a little more than whiny and irresponsible. Even so, courtroom television is usually something I’ll stop clicking the remote and spend a little time on.
Documentaries fascinate me as well. It seems like there have been a lot of documentaries on television lately about what goes on behind bars – life in prison. I’ve seen specials on maximum security lockdown facilities, women behind bars, and on former inmates who try to make it on the outside world after parole.
Given all of the interest in this kind of television, it makes sense to create a new reality show that combines all of these elements into one show. I would call it “Crime and Punishment.”
The concept is simple enough. The series starts with a true crime – a murder, a robbery, arson, or even blue collar crime. We start the program with the cops who appear at the scene of the crime. We follow the detectives who appear to investigate the crime. The leads are followed, suspects interviewed, evidence is collected. Early in the series, we get a real look into what it’s like to be a police detective investigating a crime – the reality version of CSI Miami.
Once a suspect has been caught, the case is transferred over to the District Attorney’s Office. We follow the attorneys as they build a case against the suspect. We see the initial stages of the court case – hearings, plea bargain deals gone bad, jury selection, even the legal wrangling that happens when both sides try to maneuver the case to their advantage.
Eventually, however, the case will wind up before the judge. During this part of the series, we follow the judge, jury, and all of the courtroom participants as the legal system struggles to protect the rights of the accused with the rights of the victim. We get a sneak peek into the deliberations of a jury. The cliffhanger, of course, is the reading of the verdict. It’s at this point we know the fate of the suspect. Is he a criminal or someone unjustly accused? We’ll find out next week on âÂ?¦ “Crime and Punishment.” (Dramatic music followed by the credits.)
What about this idea âÂ?¦ instead of a jury, set up two phone numbers for America to call. Dial the first number if you think he’s guilty. Dial the second if he’s innocent. Talk about a jury of your peers! All of America will be voting. It could be bigger than “American Idol.” Talk about fascinating water cooler conversation.
Of course, it’s not over with the reading of the verdict. Season two follows the prisoner as he leaves the courtroom and is processed into prison life. We see what it’s like to live on the inside. What gang will the prisoner join? How does he adjust to life behind bars?
There’s plenty of drama here as we see the eternal conflict of good and evil played out between the prison guards and the inmates.
(I haven’t figured how to wrap up Season Two, if our anti-hero gets a sentence longer than one year. This is the only problem I see. But then again, maybe this show will be such a success it will go on for years – or at least 12 to fifteen seasons with time off for good behavior.)
Eventually, we learn of the prisoner’s release and follow him through parole and the probation process as he returns to the streets.
Well, there may be a few problems to work out, but I think “Crime and Punishment” will be the next big realty television show hit.
