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Fox Gives Sheriff Joe Arpaio His Own Show

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 12:05:08 PM EST
Tags: Joe Arpaio (all tags)
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Maricopa County (Phoenix, AZ) Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who instituted such ridiculous shaming punishments as forcing male inmates to wear pink underwear, making juveniles serve on chain gangs and bury the dead, and requiring inmates to sleep in tents, and who is the subject of a class action suit by the ACLU for racial profiling of latinos in an effort to enforce federal immigration laws, is being given his own tv show on the Fox Reality Channel.

The show is called "Smile, You're Under Arrest". [More...]

The video above is by a group called America's Voice. Watch the video and sign the petition.

This takes reality programming to a new low.

All of our Sheriff Arpaio coverage is available here.

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    Fox Gives Sheriff Joe Arpaio His Own Show | 38 comments (38 topical)

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    I see a ratings winner. It will probably be an (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Angel on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 12:41:48 PM EST
    hour of empty fluff with a bunch of heated words about how all the criminals are getting off without punishment, how it will really, really be bad now that we have those stinkin' libruls in office, yada yada yada.  I've quite watching tv because most the stuff on there is pure crap.  

    Sheriff Joe's a buffoon. (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 03:17:46 PM EST
    So where better to showcase his unique brand of trash-talking sadism than on FOX?

    But we should be on guard. His targeted audience is collectively unstable, and potentially quite dangerous when incited purposefully by this sort of irresponsible right-wing demagogy:

    The Daily Telegraph | London, England, U.K. (November 10, 2008)
    Sarah Palin blamed by the US Secret Service over death threats against Barack Obama - "Sarah Palin's attacks on Barack Obama's patriotism provoked a spike in death threats against the future president, Secret Service agents revealed during the final weeks of the campaign. ... The attacks provoked a near lynch mob atmosphere at her rallies, with supporters yelling 'terrorist' and 'kill him' until the McCain campaign ordered her to tone down the rhetoric. But it has now emerged that her demagogic tone may have unintentionally encouraged white supremacists to go even further. The Secret Service warned the Obama family in mid October that they had seen a dramatic increase in the number of threats against the Democratic candidate, coinciding with Mrs Palin's attacks. Michelle Obama, the future First Lady, was so upset that she turned to her friend and campaign adviser Valerie Jarrett and said: 'Why would they try to make people hate us?'"

    (Emphasis added.)

    This sort of nonsense is unacceptable. These Bozos can say whatever they want, per the First Amendment, but we have both the right and the obligation to respond when their speech is clearly incindiary.

    What's further shameful is that while FOX News and CNN sing the praises of the unhinged nutball fringers like Sheriff Joe, Sarah Palin et al., we have to read the British press to learn about these sorts of things about our own country.

    That's sad (none / 0) (#37)
    by blueaura on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 09:48:25 AM EST
    That really makes me sad. Just when you start to think we've made some real progress in this country, you hear stuff like this. It defies words.

    As far as Sheriff Joe, this is the first I've heard of him. But I'm not surprised FOX would give this guy a show. At least it's just on one of their cable channels that I didn't even know existed. Hopefully it won't draw a huge audience.

    [ Parent ]

    I'm gonna go out on a limb here (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by kmblue on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 03:45:55 PM EST
    and admit I think all reality shows suck.  To me, they are akin to throwing Christians to the lions for the mob's entertainment.  I watched Survivor exactly once and was horrified by the grade school antics.  Put desperate people in these situations, and they'll cavort for ya.

    I include in my rant shows about competitive cooking, designing, and weight loss.

    In case you haven't guessed, my TV viewing schedule is pretty open. ;)

    I like to watch... (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by desertswine on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 03:50:23 PM EST
    the Antiques Road Show. That's kind of a reality show, I guess. I remember when some of that stuff wasn't antique.

    [ Parent ]
    Top Chef, Project Runway (none / 0) (#30)
    by CST on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 05:17:29 PM EST
    I don't mind reality shows that have require some skill involved.  Everything else drives me nuts.

    [ Parent ]
    CST, no disrespect intended (none / 0) (#31)
    by kmblue on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 05:20:41 PM EST
    but there is ALWAYS some skill involved--backstabbing and manipulation come to mind--
    but they are not necessarily the skills "the contest" is about.

    And I believe that's why people watch--they get to relive the glory days of torturing geeks in grade school.

    It ain't about the dress or the dish.

    Just my opinion.

    [ Parent ]

    Fair enough (none / 0) (#32)
    by CST on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 05:26:52 PM EST
    I don't think those two shows are as much about "torturing geeks" as the rest of them, and the judging at least is not.  Sure, they hype the drama, but it is different from say, big brother, or some show where it is based around no premise except drama.  And I like the dresses...

    Fine, you caught me though, I have my guilty pleasures :)

    [ Parent ]

    I don't watch FOX (4.00 / 4) (#1)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 12:09:46 PM EST
    Now I'll never watch FOX anything.........ugh, it is such craptacular television.

    This doesn't surprise me, Traci.. (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 12:15:23 PM EST
    the average Fox viewer will love this sort of s**t anyway.

    Fox Reality TV -- now there's a real contradiction in terms.

    [ Parent ]

    I think this is more of the GOP (none / 0) (#2)
    by hairspray on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 12:14:55 PM EST
    schtick on how the crooks are getting away with murder.  It will be a hit, no doubt.  Fox has a big following and their viewers love these cop shows and wild chases. It doesn't contribute to the dialogue on crime and criminals at all.  Fox loves to hold up the victimization card and they will do this big time now that the Democrats are in power.

    Framing the argument (none / 0) (#7)
    by mmc9431 on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 12:43:40 PM EST
    Again the GOP has done a fantastic job of creating that illusion of our being soft of crime. Even many of my "liberal" friends have bought into that theory.

    [ Parent ]
    Nothing is too low for Fox (none / 0) (#4)
    by mmc9431 on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 12:21:10 PM EST
    I wish the Simpson's weren't on Fox! Then I could say I was totally "Fox Free".

    Oops, lets not forget Family Guy (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 12:33:06 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    A "new low" in reality programming? (none / 0) (#8)
    by Fabian on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 01:26:52 PM EST
    I seriously doubt it.  I did watch some reality programs, but they were all the historical reality programs on PBS.  I learned a lot from those shows.

    The average reality show is pretty low already.  They have their own POVs, their own narratives and their own "reality" as well.  I'm not sure what the diff is between this new show and all the ones that went before it - or the Jerry Springer Show which is an unedited (as opposed to edited) reality show.

    Point taken, although Joe Arpaio (none / 0) (#9)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 01:42:02 PM EST
    himself is a sociopathic goon, who ran the Maricopa County penal system as a kind of Abu Ghraib lite, before Abu Ghraib even existed as a prison.

    Imo, it's something like giving Oliver North his own talk show. Of course Arpaio isn't actually convicted of anything yet - but gawd willing.

    [ Parent ]

    I'd be more shocked (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by Fabian on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 01:44:22 PM EST
    shocked I say!

    ...if FOX gave Bill Moyers a daily show.

    But for FOX, this is all about profits.  It always has been, always will be.

    [ Parent ]

    A reality show?? (none / 0) (#13)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 02:55:19 PM EST
    With Moyers??

    How could that be?

    [ Parent ]

    Moyers does reality all the time. (none / 0) (#16)
    by Fabian on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 03:38:36 PM EST
    He'd be fine.

    Heh.

    [ Parent ]

    Here's a bit of reality you won't see (none / 0) (#17)
    by Dark Avenger on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 03:42:36 PM EST
    broadcast on any show on Fox:


    OLBERMANN:We previously tried to help you prepare for the inevitable attack of a Bill O`Reilly stalker producer. Clearly, we should have just deferred to the expertise of the one and only Bill Moyers. For our number one story tonight, cleaned the fricking clock of Bill-O`s toady at the National Conference for Media Reform in Minneapolis. A kid named Port-O-Potty, I believe--No? Porter Barry, sorry. The Murdochian devils are in high dungeon and full attack at the moment. I had to stave off one staking outside my home ten days ago, and another one the day before yesterday at the office.

    But Moyers, as LL Cool J put it, listen to the way I slay your crew. The carnage in a moment. First, a brief reminder of the gentler methods we offered in these practice interactions.

    From the News Hole.

    As they say there, PPJ:

    Your feedback and hate mail is encouraged.


    [ Parent ]
    Imo, for the MSM profit no longer (none / 0) (#24)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 04:37:05 PM EST
    comes from the ad revenues generated by a large audience. i.e. Bill O has a relatively small audience, or so KO always says.

    I think the real profit lies in propaganda. Meaning, programming for the primary purpose of keeping the public fearful, distracted, misinformed, and sympathetic to corporate interests and the pols who coddle them.

    Some media outlets don't even need to directly turn a profit for themselves since they are perpetually shilling, and turning a profit, for the mega corporations that own them, like General Electric - which is a huge defense contractor, among other things. Voila, the MSM is uncritical of Iraq and war in general; and now cue Brangelina for the daily dose of diversionary dreck.

    [ Parent ]

    Uh, yeah, right... (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by bocajeff on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 04:42:26 PM EST
    MSNBC is uncritical of the wars. Yep, they certainly are. Shills for Bush and Republicans. MSNBC certainly is...

    [ Parent ]
    Truly, FOX is hardly unique (none / 0) (#27)
    by Fabian on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 05:05:21 PM EST
    in its role as a corporate shill.  All those commercials that drive me away from cable news also drive the programming.  I would hardly be surprised to see a new cable show called "Saved By Viagra!".

    [ Parent ]
    Maddow and Olbermann are oppositional, but (none / 0) (#29)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 05:16:06 PM EST
    plenty of progressives take issue with their reportage. What other MSNBC shows have been overtly critical of US foreign policy, the Iraq War, corporate profiteering, Bush and the GOP?

    BTW, I got rid of MSNBC during the primaries because of the CDS.

    [ Parent ]

    Sun god help us.... (none / 0) (#11)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 01:58:40 PM EST
    From the fox website...

    Unaware criminal suspects with outstanding warrants are lured out of hiding in this high-energy prank show. Original, inventive, unique and funny, Smile...You're Under Arrest! creates elaborate comical stings to bring real runaway fugitives to justice.

    Yeah...the police state is a real barrel of laughs!  I'm amazed that the authorities are allowed to lie and cheat like this...makes the "fugitives" look like the freakin' good guys.

    Then again, on the rare occasion I catch "Cops" on tv, I'm rooting for the suspects, yelling at the tv...."faster...no, go left...run dude run...watch out for the searchlight on that chopper!  Damn, they got you."

    The Chopper, huh? (none / 0) (#12)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 02:07:24 PM EST
    In SoCal they were called the ghetto bird

    [ Parent ]
    I hate to be in this Sheriff shoes (none / 0) (#14)
    by Saul on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 03:12:39 PM EST
    Especially when he is out of office and that can't be to soon.   This guy will have to look over his shoulder every day for the rest of his life.

    eh (none / 0) (#20)
    by txpublicdefender on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 03:50:31 PM EST
    He's a publicity-seeking, sadistic scumbag, to be sure, but it's the Fox Reality Channel.  Does anyone even watch the Fox Reality Channel?  Until I saw this, I thought all they did was show repeats of old reality shows.

    Actually, (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by desertswine on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 03:54:04 PM EST
    I never heard of the Fox Reality Channel.

    [ Parent ]
    well that should be fascinating (none / 0) (#22)
    by Jen M on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 04:14:18 PM EST
    "smile, you're under arrest"

    ((bleep bleep bleep))

    "smile, you're under arrest"

    (bleep) you, you (bleep) mother (bleep)

    I want a new judicial show. (none / 0) (#28)
    by Fabian on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 05:11:27 PM EST
    something like "Hoop Dreams".  Pick a dozen, oops, better make it a larger number of people of wide variety of demographic backgrounds arrested under the same charge.  Watch how the charges actually pan out.  

    I'd even watch it to find out how many are released on bail, with no bail, how many use a public defender or a private defense attorney and so on and so forth.  It could be quite the education.

    [ Parent ]

    FOX makes (none / 0) (#23)
    by cpinva on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 04:32:03 PM EST
    the activities in the roman colliseum look positively classy, by comparison. now there was great family entertainment!

    personally, i'll start watching survivor when they make it really real: the last one still living wins.

    my wife and i watched temptation island, when it first came on, until we realized it was just a bunch of singles on an all-expenses paid vacation, at some gorgeous tropical paradise.

    hey, now there's an idea for a new reality show:

    kill sheriff joe: half a dozen of his former "guests" are given one month to do him in, and must return with his head as proof, to win. if he survives, he wins the grand prize, and the other contestants must appear on national tv in pink undies.

    you laugh, but i bet someone will buy it!

    My pitch for a reality show... (none / 0) (#26)
    by bocajeff on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 04:45:48 PM EST
    A defendent is exonerated of a violent crime due to some techalities and the throwing away of evidence obtained illegally. And by the brilliance of the defense lawyer. The defendent is then allowed to live in the defense lawyers home and work at the defense lawyers office for one year just to show what a good person he/she is and how bad the police are...

    no thanks (none / 0) (#33)
    by txpublicdefender on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 05:41:49 PM EST
    How about, instead, the defendant gets to live and work with the cop who violated his rights thus leading to the illegally obtained evidence being tossed?

    [ Parent ]
    The rednecks and old f*cks who re-elect Arpiao (none / 0) (#34)
    by jazzcattg1 on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 06:04:51 PM EST
    Will just love this Fox venture

    Michelle Obama's question (none / 0) (#35)
    by cal1942 on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 06:51:41 PM EST
    'Why would they try to make people hate us?'"

    Answer: That's the Republican way, especially since the Conservative Movement took over lock, stock and barrel.

    I ran into a guy I've known for years, he and his (none / 0) (#36)
    by Angel on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 07:01:50 PM EST
    wife are GOOD buddies of Dubya and Laura.  He was lamenting the fact that they had just returned from their "last White House Christmas party."  He went on about stuff and could never say Obama's name, just kept calling him "the other guy."  These Bush lovers will never admit to his failings and will never accept Obama.

    [ Parent ]
    NUTBALL JOE (none / 0) (#38)
    by Stever on Sat Dec 27, 2008 at 10:02:43 AM EST
    Just another publicity stunt from the much sued and racist sherriff of Maricopa County. He actually said that "I'm not going to brag," Arpaio said, "but there isn't anybody in the world who doesn't know who this sheriff is." Absolutely psychotic and self aggrandizing. i asked about 12 relatives from out of town and they had no clue who sherriff joe is, but while there is real crime every minute in PHX, Joe will be spending time on a stage getting makeup, and I'm sure his nutball supporters will love this train wreck of an idea More dilution of the function of the sherriffs office by an egotistical jerk who is out of touch with reality. In reality Joe, most americans have no clue who you are, and even fewer CARE!

    Fox Gives Sheriff Joe Arpaio His Own Show | 38 comments (38 topical)

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