Activity 9: CSI

For this activity, I chose to watch an episode of the television show CSI. For those of you who haven't seen it, CSI is about a group of crime scene investigators who collect forensic evidence in order to solve crimes. The original version of the show, which I watched, takes place in Las Vegas. If someone from outside the United States watched this show, he or she would definitely gain a strange impression of life in the United States.

CSI is a crime show, so many of the people depicted in it are criminals or people who could potentially be criminals. Since the show takes place in Las Vegas, many showgirls, prostitutes, and gamblers are featured. There are also many gang members and hapless tourists who become caught up in the action. Someone watching the show who has never been to Las Vegas might decide that the city is full of very sinful people and is continually in the midst of a crime wave. Las Vegas appears to be a place where Americans from other parts of the country go to fulfill their sinful desires. This is true to some extent. However, there are a lot of normal, everyday people who live and work in Las Vegas as businessmen, waitresses, or schoolteachers; not everyone is a showgirl or poker dealer. CSI does not typically depict these "normal" people, so the show makes it seem like everyone in Las Vegas is a cop or a criminal, good or bad.

If a foreigner was judging Americans based on the show CSI, he or she might decide that there are two types of Americans. The first type is based on the police characters. The crime scene investigators are very smart and knowledgeable. They are very dedicated to the law and are determined to see that justice is carried out. These characters carry themselves confidently and act boldly. One could conclude that all Americans who are on the "right side" of the law act this way. The crime scene investigators dress casually in jeans and t-shirts unless they are appearing in court, in which case they wear suits. Therefore, a foreigner might assume that Americans only dress up on special occasions, not for everyday work. Most of the investigators are white, with two or three exceptions who are black or Asian. They are all very good looking and mostly young.

The second type of American depicted in the CSI episodes is based on the suspects or criminals. These people are typically portrayed as being lower class. They use more slang and curse words and seem less educated than the police. The men often dress in stereotypic gang attire: low-slung pants, baggy t-shirts, and hats turned sideways. The women are often showgirls or prostitutes, so they dress in very provocative, cheap clothing. These people tend to be very loud and arrogant. From watching this show, a foreigner might decide that all lower class people in America look and act this way and are involved in crime. Many of the criminals on the show are minorities, although there are exceptions. Again, these people tend to be young.

From watching CSI, a foreigner might conclude that Americans are either good or bad, with no gray area in between. The "bad" Americans tend to be lower class, less educated, and mostly minorities. The "good" Americans are better educated and mostly white. Another conclusion might be that most Americans are young and good looking. The United States also appears the take the law very seriously but criminal activity is very common. Personally, I would be afraid to come to the United States after watching CSI; I would be afraid that a murderer was lurking around every corner!

Why do you think the stars of most American television shows are young and attractive? Do you think that this affects the way Americans view themselves or affects their self-esteem? Do you think this trend is present in other countries?