STILLWELL OPINION: Mustn't See Liberal TV

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 11/30/5 | Cinnamon Stillwell

[SmithL]

It isn't easy finding network television shows worth watching these days. Between the seizure-inducing visual editing, the MTV-like onslaught of montage sequences accompanied by the latest pop tunes, the numbingly unfunny laugh-track comedies and the nonsensical plot lines, the days of must-see TV are a distant memory.

For fans of television shows that focus on law enforcement, the choices are even slimmer. While there is a plethora of programs to choose from, politics are an unavoidable part of the equation. Just as there is bias in print media, television is likewise mired in the politics of those who create it. Judging by the product, the creators are uniformly liberal. 

Probably the worst offender is the "Law

& Order" franchise on NBC. Pick any incarnation of the series and one is certain to find more preaching than entertainment. The original "Law & Order" has lost almost all of its initial "ripping stories from the headlines" grittiness and devolved into nothing more than a platform for liberal politics. The last couple of seasons were so biased that many conservative viewers simply chose to change the channel.

Watching the Detectives

For those who remained loyal, the final straw was the Nov. 16 episode, which centered on an anti-illegal immigration group called the Countrymen Border Watch of America. Of course, the Countrymen were just a thinly veiled reference to the Minuteman Project, a civilian border patrol group that reports illegal alien activity to the authorities.

In fact, initial advertisements for the show used the Minuteman title, but producers reportedly decided to change the name of the group for the episode after receiving a barrage of complaints. It made little difference, for the episode was nothing more than ...exercise in slander.

[Barney59]

" What's a TV?"

[wbill]

I used to like Law and Order. Lenny Brisco was an excellent character, IMHO.

And, I like some of Dennis Farina's other work. It's unfortunate that he has so little to work with in 'Law and Order's' current incarnation. 'Torello' in Crime Story was fun to watch. Isn't Farina a former cop?

[Carry_Okie]

It isn't easy finding network television shows worth watching these days.

Then why make the effort?

It's not like there's any lack of material for a column these days.

[Sam the Sham]

Yes Farina was a cop.

Wasn't "Crime Story" a great show ! A "Miami Vice" movie is being made and I hope Farina is in it.

[wbill]

I thought that it sort of 'jumped the shark' when they started the plotline where Paulie and Luca survived the Atomic Blast.

Up until then, though, it was great. The premier episode is as good as any movie I've seen.

[wbill]

Also, if you liked Miami Vice, the latest Michael Mann movie, 'Collateral', is worth a watch. It's got the exact same feel as Miami Vice, only with better actors in it. Tom Cruise does a good job, for a change.

[Sam the Sham]

The most fantastic episode was the one where they arrested Luca. I practically know it by heart.

"Ray Luca is sleeping with his best friend's wife and you think that's important ? Ask yourself why does a man who can sleep with any girl on the strip sleep with his best friend's wife ? Because its dangerous. Because he needs those dangerous type wins that tell him stuff about himself."

Very shrewd analysis of a sociopath. He CAN'T be a business man. He can't rise above thug.

[wbill]

I liked the one where Paulie was put on trial and the defense called Torello to the stand to defend him. Abrams' cross examination always makes me smile.

Actually, any episode where Torello was called into court would hold my attention. "You went on the stand and LIED about everything." "That's not true, I gave my correct name." Classic.

Farina plays the same character no matter what role he's in. And Stephen Lang has done some great stuff that you'd never recognize him in..... he was Ike Clanton in Tombstone, among other roles.

[Ace Backwords]

the ultra-liberal SFChronicle is doing a poll on the MInutemen. Are they a.) patriotic law-enforcers, or b.) dangerous vigalantes? Check in with your two cents at http://www.sfgate.com

[Ace Backwords]

the ultra-liberal SFChronicle is doing a poll on the MInutemen. Are they a.) patriotic law-enforcers, or b.) dangerous vigalantes? Check in with your two cents at http://www.sfgate.com

[Ace Backwords]

Minutemen poll will be running for two more days. Go to "News and Features" on the left side of the screen, and you'll see "Polls." http://www.sfgate.com