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rebbel's avatar

Do the presenters of the Dutch America's Most Wanted purposely share 'embarressing' characteristics of the wanted persons?

Asked by rebbel (35552points) August 25th, 2010

This is a thing that i think i noticed while watching the Dutch version of this television program (in the UK it is Crime Watch, in Germany Aktenzeichen XY).
In almost any case, when they give the descriptions of the suspects, the presenters say things like: “Perpetrator 1 was wearing a black coat, grey trousers, white boots, and he has a strange, big pointy nose.”
Or; “The thief drove a green Yamaha bike, but what was remarkable was that he was way overweight.”
My question is if the producers (together with the police) do this on purpose, to annoy the wanted persons in such a way that they maybe are going to complain what the f.., these ass….s ridicule me, i am not fat at all… about that to friends, thus giving themselves away?
In short, can this be deliberate tactics?
Or do i think too high of the producers intelligence?

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9 Answers

lucillelucillelucille's avatar

Not sure…but does make it very watchable,especially if it’s your own family ;)

Jude's avatar

They want to point out to everyone that the criminals are freaks!

Simone_De_Beauvoir's avatar

Well, it’s crap tv so I don’t expect much sensitivity from these people.

rebbel's avatar

I don’t know why exactly, but i was already afraid that the American program is considered crap if i am wrong, correct me (and @Simone_De_Beauvoir ~) please, but the Dutch AMW is a highly appreciated and useful one.
Not sensational in any way, and it helps bring some suspects in.
Thought i would just share this information.

Simone_De_Beauvoir's avatar

@rebbel Well I’m sure that’s subjective..and then if it’s not crap, their writing isn’t attentive.

Seek's avatar

Well, if I were writing the show, I’d want to point out anything that would stick in the minds of the viewers, who might call in if they happen to notice a “wide load on a green Yamaha”, or a guy with white boots and a beak like a Macaw.

I mean, isn’t the ultimate point of the show to catch the “Most Wanted” individuals?

Zyx's avatar

I live here (NL) and I stopped watching television ages ago, it seems like they’ve been paying the same idiots to spew bullshit since the day I was born. Government is pretty much the same. Sometimes I wish someone would grab power so we could all work towards the greater good.

Vincentt's avatar

Is this about Opsporing Verzocht? Like they provide descriptions of criminals to trace them, not to discuss interesting (to some) cases? Because in that case, I would not consider it that weird, because those “embarassing” characteristics are often striking, notable characteristics that might help people narrowing down the options. When you saw a suspicious person with a strange, big pointy nose, you could be quite sure the description is about that person and be motivated to call.

rebbel's avatar

@Vincentt
Thank you.
Yes, it is about that show.
You are right, about it not being weird, it is of course the way to get the audience to participate in catching the baddies, and yes, if someone has a pointy nose they are going to tell us, but i got the feeling that they tell these characteristics in a slight make-em-ridiculous tone.
I thought that that was a tactic, maybe.

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