Home » Articles
Crime Drama - The Evolution of the Who-Done-It
All networks on television today compete heavily to take the number one spot with fans of crime drama, or mystery programming. Crime shows began innocently enough with classic depictions of mysteries and thrillers. They evolved to current event spin-offs, programs designed to help find missing persons or the depictions of the classic detective or sleuth. Over time, shows designed to reflect real-world conditions or actual crime scene investigations became one of the hottest items in the entertainment industry.
There is a tremendous variety in the genres of crime and mystery television. In fact, there are now entire networks dedicated to various crime programming. Crime and mystery drama has become so extensive it can be classified in the following categories:
Classic Mystery
The origins of the entire crime genre can be found in the traditional mystery. Long before the advent of television, radio mystery and crime dramas were playing out in millions of homes. When television was introduced, the transition to screen was inevitable. Now mysteries and crime movies, specials, and serial programming dominate ratings in many networks. A true classic never fades, and this is definitely true for mystery and crime.
Court Proceedings
Human beings are fascinated by the criminal justice system. This adage is true throughout history as evidenced by public hangings, beheadings, and the development of the modern-day court systems. Entire networks have been developed to showcase various forms of courtroom proceedings. The world watches with bated breath while celebrities stand trial, and some criminals quickly gain infamous celebrity status with televised trials.
Many programs run daily versions of small claims or divorce courts. Often the judges showcased in these programs have dynamic personalities which captivate audiences. If actual footage from a trial is not available, reenactments have become standard fare in various courthouse documentaries.
Crime Scene Investigations
Shows documenting crime scene investigations are the latest arrival in the crime junket. Weekly, faithful viewers are taken through detailed procedures that were once the exclusive business of investigators and detectives. Terms such as DNA evidence and criminal profiling, which have only been become common knowledge in the last decade, are now tossed about casually around office water coolers. These shows also fascinate viewers with the latest technology that makes the seemingly impossible not only possible, but almost routine.
Detectives, Sleuths and Investigators
Since the dawn of the television age, detectives, sleuths and investigators have been finding clues and solving crime. These shows generally follow one, or perhaps several qualified individuals as they investigate possibilities, tidy up messy crime, and isolate the culprit in a neat thirty-minute spot. The variation of this would be the bumbling detective stumbling across the criminal or solution at the opportune moment. This format has also been frequently expanded to full-length motion pictures.
Police Documentaries and Newscasts
Some of the most watched crime shows of all times are reality shows. Some reality programs develop at the spur of the moment or in response to a highly publicized trial. Others appear regularly. A popular format for reality based crime drama is to have a camera man shadow police officers or other members of law enforcement and actually document police procedure. Viewers are treated to society's finest citizens as they are arrested, chased, caught, and processed in startling reality.
As criminal investigations and proceedings become even more advanced, the television shows and movies will follow. Crime and mystery dramas are a staple in the entertainment diet of most television viewers. So long as there is crime in the world, there will be crime television.
If you want to know who-done-it click here for unlimited drama show downloads.
|
Home