SFist made it clear last week that while we enjoy watching "animal rescue" shows, we also find them an emotionally draining experience. But that didn't stop us from watching the premiere of "Animal Cops San Francisco" last night on Animal Planet. For the rest of the week the series will be airing episodes shot in San Francisco, and if the first episode is any indication, that infamous dog-mauling case was not an isolated incident in the City. Seriously, what is up with San Franciscans and their desire to raise vicious pit bulls? We believe in the quaint-sounding notion that there are no bad dogs, just bad dog owners, but unfortunately in so many cases it seems the dogs must pay the ultimate price for their owners' seriously misguided ideas about dog training. So, needless to say, last night's viewing was not without tears. You can catch the show and join in the sobbing nightly at 7 p.m., 10 p.m., and 2 a.m.
Photo from Animal Planet
For another look into the animalistic menagerie that is San Francisco, be sure to watch "Investigative Reports: San Francisco Vice" this Wednesday at 9 p.m. on A&E. Somehow, whenever we stumble upon an episode of "Cops" while channel surfing, we can't seem to look away. There is just something inherently fascinating about watching a guy wearing a stained wife beater scream at some cops. Which is why we've always been disappointed that "Cops" has never felt the need to shoot any episodes in San Francisco. What's wrong? Are they scared or something? Does a show set during Castro's Halloween festival really frighten them that much? Can't patrol the Pride Parade? Whatever. We'll just make do with this version, which concentrates more on those "organized" criminals (prostitutes, drug rings) and less on the lone wife beater in a wife beater.
Speaking of breaking the law, and animals, and forced segues, local PBS affiliate KQED will air the infamous "Postcards From Buster" episode "Sugartime" this Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. We applaud their decision and their understanding that if a city can handle viewing vicious dog maulings, violent drug busts, and screaming prostitutes on basic cable, then it can also handle watching two lesbians talk to an animated bunny about domestic partnership and raising a child.
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this is the first time that I've had every single show in the SFist Watches column on my TiVo!! So was "Animal Cops SF" unusually upsetting or about the same level of upsetting that "Animal Precinct" is? I'm just trying to prepare myself for my TV tonight.
It wasn't unusually upsetting, but still hard to take. They did the usual thing of trying to balance out the pain by including a heartwarming story, but somehow it doesn't make up for the tragedies.
And all of last night's stories took place on the outskirts of the City. So far, no crazy cat ladies have been exposed in my neighborhood.
So I did a double-shot of Monday and Tuesday's episodes last night -- how can one show be Just So Good??? I really dig the 70s-style white boxes and split screens thing -- plus, props to Rain for correctly calling the Doggie Law and Order theme of the show. I had no idea we had an actual dog court in City Hall! Sad to see all those bad situations pet owners and pets get themselves into, though.
Those white boxes are hilarious. They just appear randomly, and serve no purpose. (I keep expecting the box to zoom into a close-up or something, but nope.)
I also loved seeing how a majority of the vets and animal cops were sporting some crazy arm tattoos. Ah...San Francisco!