Entertaining Crime: Television Reality Programs

In eleven original studies by social scientists, this is the first volume to focus on television reality crime programming as a genre. Contributors address such questions as: why do these programs exist; what larger cultural meaning do they have; what effect do they have on audiences; and what do they indicate about crime and justice in the late twentieth century? Adaptable at both undergraduate and graduate levels, Entertaining Crime will contribute to discussions of crime and the media, as well as crime in relation to other issues, such as gender, race/ethnicity, and fear of crime.

In eleven original studies by social scientists, this is the first volume to focus on television reality crime programming as a genre. Contributors address such questions as: why do these programs exist; what larger cultural meaning do they have; what effect do they have on audiences; and what do they indicate about crime and justice in the late twentieth century? Adaptable at both undergraduate and graduate levels, Entertaining Crime will contribute to discussions of crime and the media, as well as crime in relation to other issues, such as gender, race/ethnicity, and fear of crime.

Booknews

In 11 original studies, social scientists analyze the variables and larger cultural context of such reality crime television programs as America's Most Wanted, Cops, and Unsolved Mysteries. Lest one thinks this a peculiar US genre, they also study the popularity of such "hyperreality" programs, their audiences, their ideological underpinnings, and their influence on the perception of crime in several European countries. This volume could serve as a provocative primary or supplementary text in courses addressing crime and the media. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Gray Cavender is Professor, School of Justice Studies, Arizona State University. Dr. Cavender is co-author of Corporate Crime Under Attack: The Ford Pinto Case and Beyond.

Mark Fishman is Associate Professor of Sociology, Brooklyn College, City University of New York. Dr. Fishman is the author of Manufacturing the News, and numerous journal articles related to crime news.