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 Crime Shows

Crime shows are a type of drama that tend to focus on crimes, the criminals that commit them, and the people that catch them. For decades, these shows have been a popular form of entertainment for several reasons. Whether it is the opportunity to explore the criminal mind, the excitement or suspense, or the chance to solve a mystery, crime shows have captured the interests of people all over the globe. These shows – real or fake – allow people to apply their critical thinking skills, feel like a detective, experience the drama, and achieve a sense of satisfaction when the case is finally solved. Some of the most popular crime shows today include Criminal Minds, Dateline, and Law & Order.

My family has always had a serious addiction to watching crime shows and I never really understood it until recently. A few years ago, I was extremely against watching crime shows because of the anxiety and nightmares they would give to me. Every time I would watch an episode of Dateline, Fear Thy Neighbor, or Snapped before bed, whatever happened to the person in the episode, would happen to me. So, to say I was not a fan is an understatement. However, recently things have miraculously changed, and I think the reason for this is because of the Idaho murders that occurred last November. If you are unaware of this, last year on November 13, 2022, four college students from the University of Idaho were stabbed to death in their off-campus home. For weeks following this tragedy, police would sporadically reveal basic details in hopes to gain insight and information from the public, but never much more than that. And even though, I completely understand why they would not reveal everything they knew to the public, the feeling of not knowing drove me crazy and caused me to spiral (not literally, but sort of).

While “spiraling”, I learned four reasons as to why people become addicted to watching and following crime shows. The first reason is the interest in human psyche. Because crime shows often explore and reveal the motivations and thought processes of criminals, viewers become obsessed with understanding why these terrible people do these horrible things. The second reason is due to real-life relevance. Because crime shows such as Dateline, Fear Thy Neighbor, and Snapped, are based on real-life instances, many people watch them to learn or remind themselves about the importance of being aware of the people surrounding them and their surroundings. The third reason is due to thrills and suspense. Even though crime shows are often depressing and sad, they generally have several scenes that are exciting to watch. The tension of the investigation and the pursuit of the criminal captures viewers' interests and provides them with an immediate adrenaline rush. The last and most relatable reason people enjoy watching crime shows is because of their love for solving puzzles. Many people – including myself – enjoy the challenge of piecing together the clues to figure out what happened. It is a chance to feel like a detective; when people solve a mystery independently, it is often a very satisfying and rewarding feeling.