| Smile...You're Under Arrest! | |
|---|---|
| Format | Reality show |
| Created by | Scott Satin |
| Starring | Revolving cast |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Fox Reality Channel |
| Original run | 2008 – 2009 |
Smile...You're Under Arrest! is a reality show on Fox Reality Channel where individuals with outstanding felony warrants are lured into police custody using various fake scenarios.[1]
The series consisted of 3 episodes, the first of which aired on December 27, 2008.
Contents |
The show describes itself as a cross between Cops and Punk’d[2], setting up elaborate sting operations to snare people wanted on outstanding warrants. These sting operations include opportunities for felons to work as an extra on a movie set and as a model in a fashion shoot, among others[3]. Once the trap is set and the actors have had their fun with the unsuspecting criminals, police officers arrest and haul them off to jail.
All of the cases featured in Smile…You’re Under Arrest! involve the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department outside of Phoenix, AZ under the command of Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is known as “The Toughest Sheriff in America”[4]. He has a reputation for unusual law enforcement tactics such as reinstituting chain gangs, housing prisoners in a desert “tent city” and forcing them to wear pink underwear[5]. Arpaio believes that these stings provide a unique service to his community[6].
Some have criticized the show and questioned the law enforcement priorities of Sheriff Arpaio. The persons lured into the elaborate ruses are all nonviolent persons with outstanding warrants for low-level crimes. Maricopa County, meanwhile, has 40,000 outstanding felony warrants for persons wanted for much more serious crimes. Some see the show as an attempt at self-promotion by the sheriff which deflects department resources from more serious lawbreakers[7].
Original airdate: 12/27/2008
Wanted fugitives are asked to model clothing for a fashion show as part of an elaborate sting operation. This culminates with a surprise arrest of the confused “models” by undercover deputy sheriffs. [8]
Original airdate: 1/3/2009
Wanted fugitives are lured to a fake movie set and asked to participate as extras in a pretend film. Upon completing their scene, the director yells “cut”, and our fugitives are arrested for real by undercover deputies. [8]
Original airdate: 1/10/2009
Wanted fugitives are led to believe they have won the VIP treatment at a new spa called “J. L. Spas”. After completing yoga and various relaxation services, a group deputy sheriffs arrest them in the middle of a facial. [8]