COPS creator feared dead in cliff fall
03-17-03 | 09:33 AM
#1
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COPS creator feared dead in cliff fall
This sucks:
Creator of 'COPS' feared dead in fall from Oregon Coast cliff
Creator of 'COPS' feared dead in fall from Oregon Coast cliff
PORTLAND -- The creator of the long-running reality television series "COPS" fell 300 feet from an Oregon cliff into the Pacific Ocean and was feared dead, police and the Coast Guard said today.
Paul Stojanovich, 47, and his fiancee Kim Srowel were hiking yesteray at Treasures Cove, a bluff overlooking the ocean, when he slipped while stopping to pose for a picture, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Jamie Desanno.
Stojanovich grabbed a tree limb to break his fall but plummeted into the surf below, said Sgt. Mike Zimmerman of the Tillamook County Sheriff's Office. The waves were 14 to 16 feet at the time, and rain over the past week had left the trail slippery and wet.
Officers searched for three hours after Srowel called 911, but they didn't find any sign of Stojanovich, Desanno said. He said today that authorities had ended their search, though no body had been found.
"COPS" premiered on March 11, 1989, and aired its 500th episode last season.
Stojanovich, the executive producer whose home is in Portland, was also an honorary Special Reserve Officer for the Beaverton Police Department, said Beaverton Officer Mark Hyde.
"Paul was probably the first one to bring real police officers into your home and give people a real look at the stresses and strains that the street-level people come across, day after day, night after night," Hyde said. "He made police officers more alive."
Paul Stojanovich, 47, and his fiancee Kim Srowel were hiking yesteray at Treasures Cove, a bluff overlooking the ocean, when he slipped while stopping to pose for a picture, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Jamie Desanno.
Stojanovich grabbed a tree limb to break his fall but plummeted into the surf below, said Sgt. Mike Zimmerman of the Tillamook County Sheriff's Office. The waves were 14 to 16 feet at the time, and rain over the past week had left the trail slippery and wet.
Officers searched for three hours after Srowel called 911, but they didn't find any sign of Stojanovich, Desanno said. He said today that authorities had ended their search, though no body had been found.
"COPS" premiered on March 11, 1989, and aired its 500th episode last season.
Stojanovich, the executive producer whose home is in Portland, was also an honorary Special Reserve Officer for the Beaverton Police Department, said Beaverton Officer Mark Hyde.
"Paul was probably the first one to bring real police officers into your home and give people a real look at the stresses and strains that the street-level people come across, day after day, night after night," Hyde said. "He made police officers more alive."
03-17-03 | 05:03 PM
#7
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Originally posted by juiio
Why do you say that?
Why do you say that?
03-17-03 | 05:55 PM
#11
DVD Talk Legend
Originally posted by juiio
Why do you say that?
Why do you say that?
03-17-03 | 06:07 PM
#12
Originally posted by brizz
Because Cops is one of the worst things to ever happen to American Television - ever. Not to mention its insidious influence on society at large. Someone who capitalized on the misfortune of innocents and the stupidity of the dredges of humanity as much as he has was fated to some kind of cruel comeuppance. I always though it would be in a random shooting though.
Because Cops is one of the worst things to ever happen to American Television - ever. Not to mention its insidious influence on society at large. Someone who capitalized on the misfortune of innocents and the stupidity of the dredges of humanity as much as he has was fated to some kind of cruel comeuppance. I always though it would be in a random shooting though.
Don't feel bad for the criminals/victims/etc either. Remember, they sign releases saying that they give permission to be on the show.
03-17-03 | 06:15 PM
#13
DVD Talk Legend
I understand the show perfectly....i just don't like it. I'm not particularly sure it has lead to more respect for police officers, i'm of the opinion it has done the opposite in a lot of ways, but that's just me. It's become a joke over the years, and in that respect has, imho, served to minimize and trivialize police work.
I know that cops like it because they're on it, but for the vast majority of the public, it's the train-wreck mentality that gets a kick out of watching the misfortune of others. Over time, I think that has a clearly negative effect on our psyches when we are subjected to that kind of schlock week after week after week. People start imagining crime around every corner etc etc.....it all adds up, and not in a good way.
I know that cops like it because they're on it, but for the vast majority of the public, it's the train-wreck mentality that gets a kick out of watching the misfortune of others. Over time, I think that has a clearly negative effect on our psyches when we are subjected to that kind of schlock week after week after week. People start imagining crime around every corner etc etc.....it all adds up, and not in a good way.
03-17-03 | 06:25 PM
#14
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally posted by brizz
Because Cops is one of the worst things to ever happen to American Television - ever.
Because Cops is one of the worst things to ever happen to American Television - ever.
I'd rather poke sharp sticks in my eyes then watch shows like Survivor and it's ilk, but I don't wish for that show's creator to die in some sort of ironic manner.
Wait...actually, maybe I do.
Wouldn't it be something if the creator of Survivor was piloting a small plane which crashes on some remote island.
Only in this case there is no production crew around and the guy really has to try to survive on his own, which of course he can't do...
Ya...humm...
03-17-03 | 07:20 PM
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From: Austin, Texas
Originally posted by Morf
Is this the same guy who hosts a lot of those 'Worlds Scariets Police Chases' shows on Fox? His name sounds familiar.
Is this the same guy who hosts a lot of those 'Worlds Scariets Police Chases' shows on Fox? His name sounds familiar.
03-17-03 | 10:01 PM
#17
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From: Somewhere Hot Scoville Units: 9,999,999 Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Originally posted by Morf
Is this the same guy who hosts a lot of those 'Worlds Scariets Police Chases' shows on Fox? His name sounds familiar.
Is this the same guy who hosts a lot of those 'Worlds Scariets Police Chases' shows on Fox? His name sounds familiar.
I'm Sheriff John Bunnell!
(You may not recognize him without his signature leather jacket)
Sorry to hear about Paul Stojanovich.
03-18-03 | 11:24 AM
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From: Chicago, IL
John Bunnell actually appeared in a few episodes of COPS and then a show called American Detective on ABC or something like that- that is how he got "his start". He was a real cop back in the day.
03-18-03 | 04:24 PM
#19
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Originally posted by brizz
It's become a joke over the years, and in that respect has, imho, served to minimize and trivialize police work.
It's become a joke over the years, and in that respect has, imho, served to minimize and trivialize police work.
03-19-03 | 04:09 PM
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From: "Sitting on a beach, earning 20%"
In defense of COPS, I think it is probably the only reality show on TV that can, in any way, be considered worth watching.
There is a BIG line between the totally non-judgemental COPS and shows like America's Most Wanted and Worlds Wildest Police Chases w/ their ominous voice-overs.
COPS is an excellent show.
It's also WAY BETTER than any American Idol/Survivor/Fear Factor crap-ola
There is a BIG line between the totally non-judgemental COPS and shows like America's Most Wanted and Worlds Wildest Police Chases w/ their ominous voice-overs.
COPS is an excellent show.
It's also WAY BETTER than any American Idol/Survivor/Fear Factor crap-ola
04-15-03 | 11:02 AM
#21
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Here's the update!
http://www.local6.com/sh/entertainme...15-080403.html
Missing 'COPS' Producer's Remains Found
Stojanovich Fell Off Cliff While Posing For Picture
Posted: 9:55 a.m. EDT April 15, 2003
Authorities have identified the body of Paul Stojanovich, a former producer of the long-running reality show "COPS."
The remains were found Sunday on an Oregon beach, about a mile from where officials say Stojanovich fell from a bluff on March 15.
Stojanovich, 47, and his fiancee were hiking when he slipped while stopping to pose for a picture.
Stojanovich, who was also the creator of the reality television series "World's Wildest Police Videos," fell 300 feet from a cliff into the Pacific Ocean.
Chris
Missing 'COPS' Producer's Remains Found
Stojanovich Fell Off Cliff While Posing For Picture
Posted: 9:55 a.m. EDT April 15, 2003
Authorities have identified the body of Paul Stojanovich, a former producer of the long-running reality show "COPS."
The remains were found Sunday on an Oregon beach, about a mile from where officials say Stojanovich fell from a bluff on March 15.
Stojanovich, 47, and his fiancee were hiking when he slipped while stopping to pose for a picture.
Stojanovich, who was also the creator of the reality television series "World's Wildest Police Videos," fell 300 feet from a cliff into the Pacific Ocean.
Chris
