John Oliver claims 'Law & Order' is a 'commercial' for a 'defective product' promoting law enforcement
On Last Week Tonight With John Oliver Sunday, Oliver accused the long-running, hugely popular Law & Order of mischaracterizing policing in the United States, and skewing the opinions of viewers.
“It’s presenting a world where the cops can always figure out who did it, defense attorney’s are irritating obstacles to be overcome, and even if a cop roughs up a suspect, it’s all in pursuit of a just outcome,” Oliver said, soon adding, “Underneath it all, it is a commercial, and a commercial produced by a man who is, in his own words, unabashedly pro-law enforcement. And he is very good at selling things. And in this instance, he’s selling a complete fantasy that many people in this country are only too happy to buy.”
Oliver went on to quote a writer from the show, who said that it’s in the best interest of Law & Order to paint police in a positive light.
“One writer who’s worked on the show said, ‘…there was always the sense that if we told stories that reflected too badly on the police, the N.Y.P.D. could make it very difficult for us to shoot in New York.’ Which does make sense, doesn’t it? The N.Y.P.D is famously anti-shooting, unless they’re the ones doing it.”
Video Transcript
JOHN OLIVER: Presenting a world where the cops can always figure out who did it. Defense attorneys are irritating obstacles to be overcome. And even if a cop roughs up a suspect, it's all in pursuit of a just outcome.
KYLIE MAR: On last week "Tonight with John Oliver" Sunday, Oliver called out the long running, hugely popular crime drama "Law and Order" for mischaracterizing policing in the United States.
JOHN OLIVER: Underneath it all, it is a commercial and a commercial produced by a man who is, in his own words, unabashedly pro law enforcement. And he is very good at selling things. And in this instance, he's selling a complete fantasy that many people in this country are only too happy to buy.
KYLIE MAR: Oliver referenced a recent study to point out how shows like "Law and Order" have skewed the opinions of viewers when it comes to law enforcement.
JOHN OLIVER: One study found viewers of crime dramas are more likely to believe the police are successful at lowering crime, use force only when necessary, and that misconduct does not typically lead to false confessions, which would be great if it were true. But if you're watching this show, you probably know it is not.
KYLIE MAR: Oliver went on to quote a writer from the show who said it's in their best interest to paint the police in a good light.
JOHN OLIVER: One writer who's worked on the show has said there was always the sense that if we told stories that reflected too badly on the police, the NYPD could make it very difficult for us to shoot in New York, which does make sense, doesn't it? The NYPD is famously anti-shooting unless they're the ones doing it.
KYLIE MAR: And Oliver concluded by quoting a tweet from one of the stars of "Law and Order SVU" Ice-T.
JOHN OLIVER: It's an ad for a defective product. Because if I may quote one last time from the Library of Alexandria that is Ice-T's Twitter account, you got to know who the F you're dealing with, could be the cops.
