The TV show "Cops" is a long-running American documentary series that follows police officers and sheriff's deputies as they perform their duties during patrols, calls for service, and other law enforcement activities. It originally premiered on Fox in 1989 and has aired for over 37 seasons. The show is known for its cinéma vérité style, with no narration, scripted dialogue, music, or added sound effects, relying solely on the real-time actions and commentary of the officers and people involved. "Cops" captures a wide variety of police activities, from routine patrols and traffic stops to drug busts and arrests. The show usually features three separate segments per episode, often ending with arrests. Despite its popularity and long run, the show faced controversy, including being pulled from the air in 2020 amidst protests and police scrutiny. It continued production for international audiences and was later picked up by Fox Nation for new seasons. The show is recognized for its raw and unfiltered look at policing in America, with a distinctive closing segment featuring police radio chatter and the song "Bad Boys" by Inner Circle. "Cops" remains available for streaming on Fox Nation, where new episodes and many classic episodes can be watched. Key facts:
- Premiered in 1989 on Fox
- Produced by Langley Productions
- Over 37 seasons
- Cinéma vérité style without narration or music
- Features police work across various U.S. jurisdictions
- Known for the "Bad Boys" theme song
- Available currently on Fox Nation for streaming
- Experienced controversies and was briefly canceled on Paramount Network in 2020
This show became a pioneer in reality TV focusing on law enforcement and has influenced many similar programs worldwide.
