Weekly Analysis 5

This week I am discussing the current 'formula' used in the crime and CSI-type shows. After reading the key points for Mod 5, I found myself thinking about the way that today's detective shows have a newer, but over-used formula. On the old "Columbo" shows, the viewer always knew when he was talking to the guilty person at the end because he would say, "one more thing, Mr. ....". This was the fomula followed in that show. About 18 years ago, when Law & Order became popular, it was a new idea to have a twist in the plot right at the end of the show. It kept the viewers on the edge of their seats. Now, almost 20 years later, this seems to be the formula followed. It would be silly to turn off CSI: Miami 5 minutes before the end because you just know something else will come up and change the outcome of the case. On some shows, like The Sheild, they have interestingly reverted back to the cliffhanger endings that were so popular in the 50's and 60's with the Batman and Superman shows. This seems to be the 'new' way to get the public to tune in for the next episode. It is compelling to think about how these formulas, just like everything else in our culture, seems to go in and out of style.