Law and Order might be a very popular and entertaining show, but John Oliver has some problems with it. Namely the way it depicts the police, and the effect that depiction has on the public.
In the Last Week Tonight episode above, Oliver breaks down his issues with the show, from co-creator Dick Wolf admitting on camera that he’s “unabashedly pro law enforcement” to the way the show is constantly bashing defence attorneys and raising up prosecutors and police.
“The result of all of these creative decisions is that instead of depicting a flawed system riddled with structural racism, the show presents exceptionally competent cops, working within a largely fair framework that mostly convicts white people,” says Oliver.
“I know Law and Order is just a TV show. I know it’s meant to be entertainment, and honestly I’m not even telling you not to watch it. It’s completely fine to enjoy it, and it’s completely understandable to want Olivia Benson to exist. But it’s important to remember just how far it is from representing anything resembling reality.”
