OK, so we're naturally sort of partial to the idea of watching The Unusuals, ABC's new quirky cop show that's premiering tonight after Lost and has a bunch of actors that we'd like to see taking the piss out of all those cop shows.
But do you see what we see, Wire fans? It sure does seem like they ripping off one of Bunk Moreland's most infamous interrogation tactics. Can you ballee dat shi?
Further proof after the jump.
The NYTimes couldn't give them a pass on this one, so why should we?
No show is totally original, but “The Unusuals” lifts a scene from “The Wire” so blatantly that it’s practically plagiarism. Two of the more screwball detectives are questioning a suspect in a series of cat killings, and tell the man that the copier machine is the latest high-tech lie detector, before asking him questions and photocopying his hand with the word “true” on it. That ruse worked on “The Wire” because those detectives were questioning hardened teenagers from the ghetto who knew everything about drugs and weapons, but had no idea what even basic office or school equipment looked like. On this show the suspect is a well-spoken middle-class adult, and the prank makes no sense.
Practically? It just is. Really, we're asking here: is there a way to forgive this? 'Cause we're thinking "No." If someone says "I saw this on a TV show once," maybe. But will that happen? Prolly not. So, you know, no. Never mind the utter lack of originality; how are these cats ever gonna do this scene as good as Bunk?
Next thing you know, you'll tell us that Southland is gonna rip off ER or something. Oh wait. That's the other thing that NYTimes article is about.
PREVIOUSLY:
Will "The Unusuals" Deliver a New Girlcrush? [VIDEO]
Did "ER" Take A Final Swipe At "Grey's Anatomy" With That Fractured Penis Scene? [VIDEO]
Out Of The "ER": Maura Tierney Joins "Rescue Me"
Huge "ER" Finale Ratings Remind Us Of How Much Huger "ER" Used To Be
"ER" Finale Is Tonight; We're Not Sure What To Expect