Reality show features gun-toting celebs

**Buttercup** · 12-07-06, 10:57 AM

Reality show features gun-toting celebs
December 6, 2006

MUNCIE, Ind. --Erik Estrada and other lesser celebrities have been sworn in as reserve officers of the city police department here, allowing them to carry badges and guns as part of a reality television series.

About 200 people packed into a Muncie City Hall auditorium for the Tuesday ceremony to swear in the former "CHiPs" star, along with La Toya Jackson, Jack Osbourne, Wee Man and Trish Stratus.

A producer coaxed the crowd into cheering loudly for the camera, and parts of the ceremony had to be repeated several times for the TV cameras.

"Roll call is at 6 o'clock," Muncie Police Chief Joe Winkle told the celebrities. "Do not be late."

Winkle had to say the line three times. The first take was interrupted by audience applause, the second was too quiet.

"Welcome to TV," said Julie Link of Forman Productions. "Sometimes, we have to retake."

The CBS show, "Armed and Famous," being filmed in this east-central Indiana city, population 66,000, follows the celebrities as they enforce the laws alongside city police officers.

Estrada joked with the crowd that people may not recognize him as an officer because he would not be wearing his toupee. He pulled up the back inch of his hairpiece and wiggled it, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Estrada carried a gun but rarely used it to stop bad guys in his 1970s motorcycle-cops drama.

He also appeared in VH1's "Surreal Life" in 2004. Osbourne, 21, son of rocker Ozzy Osbourne, was on the MTV's "The Osbournes." Wee Man, 33, a 4-foot-7 skateboarder, gained fame on the MTV show "Jackass."

Jackson, 50, a singer and sister of Michael and Janet Jackson, is a native of Gary, and Stratus is a former WWE professional wrestler.

© Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company

**tapout** · 12-07-06, 11:08 AM

this is the first ive heard of this, but i could not disagree with the premise of this show more....its disgraceful.

**bak407** · 12-07-06, 12:03 PM

"they enforce the laws alongside city police officers."

Ummm......WTF? Here they are:

The police chief of Muncie should be very proud of these new recruites.

**General Patten** · 12-07-06, 12:43 PM

wee man kicks ass...

that being said, this is a ridiculous idea for a show...

**Standard Dave** · 12-07-06, 12:52 PM

WTF !!!!!

Why would any Police chief agree to this kind of thing it can only bring trouble.

**HardNoseBull** · 12-07-06, 01:11 PM

I would say Standard Dave that the chief probably got a huge injection into his budget. That being said, this is fucking ridiculouse. We had a TV show at one of our institutions and the guy got to "play" C/O for the day, we would not eve let him inside he was put ona tower and in the mobile patrol. Can you imagine if one of these idiots gets popped. What shitstorm that would be. I pity the poor cops that have to ride with these guys, well.... I would ride with trish stratus,lolo.. but nothe rest of them. It's hard enough to do the job with trained officers now your throwing this into the mix,yikes!! Not for this kid.

**TheOldRhino** · 12-07-06, 01:34 PM

Erik Estrada and other lesser celebrities have been sworn in as reserve officers of the city police department here, allowing them to carry badges and guns as part of a reality television series.

Ponch is not a less celebrity, dammit!!

**cntryboy0531** · 12-07-06, 07:35 PM

Jack Osbourne being given a badge, gun, and arrest authority. They gave a mother fucking drug addict a badge, gun, and arrest authority???????? WHAT THE HOLY FUCK!!!!!!!! This is disgraceful.

**Piggybank Cop** · 12-07-06, 08:35 PM

Police Acadamy XXVIII

Let's get out there and, well, get out there.

**Iron Man** · 12-07-06, 08:42 PM

Jesus. If they actually do this, someone is going to get hurt.

What a shitty idea.

**TXCharlie** · 12-07-06, 08:47 PM

He did make a good TV commercial once...

Eric making a traffic stop: Hey, want some "Jennie O" Turkey?
Driver: Are you a real cop???

**JohnnyRotten** · 12-08-06, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by cntryboy0531

Jack Osbourne being given a badge, gun, and arrest authority. They gave a mother fucking drug addict a badge, gun, and arrest authority???????? WHAT THE HOLY FUCK!!!!!!!! This is disgraceful.

In Virginia they do it all the time... they're called security officers. (But even at my most desperate I wouldn't have hired Jack Osbourne)

**Star Man** · 12-08-06, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by JohnnyRotten

In Virginia they do it all the time... they're called security officers. (But even at my most desperate I wouldn't have hired Jack Osbourne)

Or La Toya Jackson / aka / Michael Jackson. You ever wonder why they are NEVER seen in the same place at the same time? Maybe Jako wants to get a head up when he's being investigated next time.

**BigDawg** · 12-08-06, 08:58 AM

This is a disgrace to the profession. Make them go through the academy first just like everyone else. Then maybe.

**Jackalope** · 12-08-06, 10:20 AM

They are going through a Reserve Academy. They're also theoretically going through all of the testing that any other Reserve goes through, including backgrounds and a psych test. I haven't heard of most of these "celebritites," but if one is a drug addict, he ought to fail the background. We'll see.

My biggest concern is that they're going to consider their job to be entertaining the audience and not serving the public.

"Gee, these traffic stops would be a lot more interesting if I planted a big bag of flour when the camera isn't looking."

or

"Some of those stunts on Super Troopers were pretty funny, I bet they'd be even funnier in real life."

**Welpe** · 12-08-06, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by Jackalope

"Some of those stunts on Super Troopers were pretty funny, I bet they'd be even funnier in real life."

They are.....

"Oh no, I've said too much....I haven't said enough!"

**cntryboy0531** · 12-08-06, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by Jackalope

They are going through a Reserve Academy. They're also theoretically going through all of the testing that any other Reserve goes through, including backgrounds and a psych test. I haven't heard of most of these "celebritites," but if one is a drug addict, he ought to fail the background. We'll see.

My biggest concern is that they're going to consider their job to be entertaining the audience and not serving the public.

"Gee, these traffic stops would be a lot more interesting if I planted a big bag of flour when the camera isn't looking."

or

"Some of those stunts on Super Troopers were pretty funny, I bet they'd be even funnier in real life."

They've all ready passed the "BI".

I'm willing to bet not much of one was done. Jack Osbourne has been in and out of rehab for hard drug usage before. Chronic usage..... I have a feeling this show is going to be messy.

**Iron Man** · 12-08-06, 11:12 PM

God help them if something serious goes down. Then you have a big liability.

**nathanallencox** · 12-09-06, 12:54 AM

this is the biggest mistake i have ever heard of. what a disgrace. if i was an leo up there i'd be organizing a strike with the union.

**tapout** · 12-09-06, 06:14 PM

i can tell you right now, none of them would be riding with me. id flat out refuse...i think its an insult to police officers everywhere, a slap in the face to those applicants who are qualified but are having a hard time finding employment, and a disservice to the community these "celebrities" are going to be "protecting". what a joke.