Jason noted what he perceived to be increased use of force by policemen performing for the cameras in COPS. Another example of this is in Fred Wiseman's LAW AND ORDER, where the Kansas City cops appear to use excessive force when arresting a young African- American woman, perhaps because of the presence of the camera. It's quite disturbing. All of us (producers, viewers and critics alike) need to constantly be aware of the fact that such "verite" situations are NOT unmediated glimpses into some objective, empirical "real life". The presence of the camera and/or observer can affect behaviors by either discouraging actions that the "performer" may self-consciously think is inappropriate, OR by encouraging behaviors that the performer feels to be admirable. Sadly, in this case, it appears that a forceful macho police ethic (a la Stacey Koons of the Rodney King case) may be exaggerated by the presence of an observing eye. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pam Wilson | Internet: [log in to unmask] Dept. of Communication Arts | Bitnet: PSWILSON@wiscmacc University of Wisconsin, Madison | Phone: (608) 256-1824 -------------------------------------------------------------------------