Famous Crime Scene
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Gritty docuseries resurrects infamous crimes.
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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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What's the Story?
Experts and eyewitnesses rehash the details of notorious deaths in FAMOUS CRIME SCENE, a gritty docuseries that uses computer animation, live-action footage, and interviews to re-create the crime minute by minute. Each episode focuses on a single case, such as the unsolved murder of rapper Tupac Shakur or the mysterious deaths of Anna Nicole Smith and Michael Jackson.
Is It Any Good?
Famous Crime Scene isn't the worst way to spend your time, particularly if you're a true crime aficionado or have a general fascination with unsolved mysteries. But the series' choice of cases isn't as compelling as it could be when you consider that the deaths of Tupac, Anna Nicole, and MJ, at least, have already been prodded and pondered ad nauseam and (forgive the pun) beaten to death in the 24-hour news cycle. The value added here is the show's succinct 30-minute snapshots of what happened, who saw it, and who's to blame.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the show's use of technology to re-create incidents of violent crime. What are the advantages to using computer animation when you're trying to explain something visually complex, such as a shooting or a surgical procedure? Does computer animation (as opposed to live action) reduce or enhance the intensity of a violent act?
How does this program compare to other true-crime series, such as A&E's Cold Case Files? Does Famous Crime Scene give more air time to forensic evidence, or does it capitalize on a case's sensational aspects?
What's your take on the show's length? Is it possible to dissect a complex crime in less than 30 minutes? As a viewer, do you walk away with more questions than answers?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 12, 2010
- Network: VH1
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 24, 2022
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