I just registered this idea with the writers guild and I would like to know what you guys think... This modest reality series follows the journey a veteran stand up comic that uses his lengthy police background to assist in police matters as he performs nationwide. I would be involved with police in various cities as dictated by my comedy club schedule. I would deal with everything from domestic disputes to evictions to traffic stops. The "hook" would be my issuing comedy club tickets to the involved parties at the end of our encounter. If you were a network exec, what would you want to know and what recommendations would you make?
AB, there was a show very similar to that back in the 1970's. It was called "The Magician" and starred Bill Bixby. A magician who solved crimes. Some info on that show: http://www.jumptheshark.com/m/magician.htm He drove a nice Vet, later episodes had him flying in his own private jet, and he lived in a "Magic" Castle.
Thx...somebody told me about that. Mine has the reality show feel to it, these are real cases with real people... The smartass cop is prevalent in movies, why not see one for real?
AB, Just my opinion, but I don't think your average audience will find a comedian/law enforcement consultant very interesting if all he's dealing with is municipal matters. You're counting on a majority of the persons who are breaking the law (however minimally) to overact and create a "scene." Otherwise, people are basically going to be watching a comedian giving people tickets. However, since I'm probably completely wrong in the above assessment, I would want to know the following: How would you be "assisting" the police? Would you be the cop chasing a fleeing perp? Or would you be basically be tagging along with other cops and giving the tickets at the end of the incident. Would you issue comedy tickets to just those persons whose infractions merit a warning only, or would you issue the comedy tickets to persons who are given tickets or are arrested? If it is the latter, would you really want a wife-beater or hooker at your comedy show? What would the tone of the show be? Would it be humorous (i.e. guy arguing ad naseum that the light was yellow) or would it be somewhat sad (i.e. family evicted from home)? If both, how would you reconcile the contrast. Would your comedy routine appear in the show? If so, how much? How would you transition between the police work and comedy? Hope I didn't come off like an *******, but I actually found this interesting and challenging. Good luck with developing this idea.
These are great questions and exactly why I posted this. Thanks for taking time to put as much thought into it... I would tape for a week on location, and deal in matters that are frequent and inherently volatile (domestic disputes, process service, DWI's etc.) and as part of reconciliation, I would like them to be at the show. The shows tone would be mildly tongue-in-cheek. Sorta "On the road with John Byner" meets "America's Most Wanted." What if John Walsh was a comic? What if Richard Beltzer was a REAL cop? You ever see A.J. Benza on "Mysteries and Scandals" or heard Paul Winfield's narration on "City Confidental?" They seem to walk the line between crime and entertainment and that's the preliminary direction of the show. I was a cop so a lot of my material is law-enforcement based, even most of my non-cop stuff has authoritative flavor to it. It's a very natural blend. Thanks again SA you have helped more than you know. Maybe crime entertainment is the next big thing!?
