This morning NPR had a short piece on the new ABC reality show “Homeland Security USA”  This show documents homeland security agents and officials in their various places of work including airports, land crossings and seaports.  Read the story listen to it here.

The reviews from critics and are mixed.  Some label it just another boorish reality show, and others say the show could be a tool for training criminals.

Everybody has engaged in the guilty pleasure of watching mind numbing reality shows at one time or another.   I have too. The show “Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel” is a compelling look into Las Vegas’ biggest pool party, and the many breasts involved. However some shows, like COPS, feature authority figures, (or quasi authority figures like Dog the Bounty Hunter.)  When I see these the the issue of privacy rights always comes to mind.

Lawsuits have arisen from past situations in which camera crews have barged in WITH police or EMTs filming inside someone’s residence, or making similar invasions into their private life before obtaining consent.   If I was having a seizure and a bunch of cameras and sound guys busted into my house with the paramedics I’d be ticked off too.  Even if I declined to participate in the show they still have no right to be there.

If I understand the process correctly I assume that after whatever melee transpires the producers then request consent from the person to be used on the show. If they do NOT consent than the compensation is then increased, or their face ends up being blurred out.  If someone works in television please correct me.

So –  How exactly is this situation being handled on “Homeland Security USA?”  After taping a person’s interaction with customs and immigration, are they then paid by ABC for the use of their image?  Take this for show highlight:

There aren’t any terrorist plots uncovered, though viewers do get to watch agents thwart drug smugglers. And then there’s the lighter side of the job. In one scene, for instance, an immigration officer deports a busty belly dancer from Switzerland.

Even though compensation is never discussed on the show or even behind the scenes there HAS to be money involved.  Unless the participant just wants celebrity status. Which means even if you’re turned away at the border you still get some cash by an American company.  In this case the “busty belly dancer,” now has a role on a U.S. TV show.

Also, if a foreigner shows up at the border and DOESN’T make it into the U.S. – doesn’t a U.S. company PAYING them for an “acting” role create some sort of work permit conflict?

I don’t have a strong opinion on the security issue, but I can’t help but feeling this just makes the U.S. look ridiculous.  Explain to me why you can’t take a PHOTO inside U.S. customs queues, but the whole process can be exported to television?

Surprise!  It’s kind of like Cash Cab, only run by the government and a huge TV network.

Welcome to America.