We as a country seem to have a certain fascination with crime, especially murder cases. In recent years especially the media has been saturated with reports of criminal trials, spotlights on perpetrators, and even glorification of crime in scripted content like TV shows and movies.

It seems that crime has become a main source of entertainment for Americans and many of the most outrageous criminals are given fame as well as infamy. The sheer amount of our current pop culture that’s made up of content revolving around crime or violence has no doubt impacted our perception of actual crime and criminals.

Courtroom Spotlight
Many court cases have become media sensations with broadcasts of trials being shown practically everywhere. In murder cases especially, the suspect in question is often given a wave of media attention and they can quickly become a household name.

The fact is, criminal trials have always had the potential to become media circuses. It only seems more apparent in today’s society due to the internet’s fast-paced spreading of information. But crime cases and trials have been sensationalized for decades. You’ve probably heard of the Bob Fosse musical “Chicago,” depicting a woman who becomes temporarily famous after being charged with murder. The musical was actually based on a play that was written in 1926 and inspired by actual women who were tried and acquitted of murder. “Chicago” shows how our obsession with the world of crime has always been present and many cases today attract the same kind of attention.

Much like in “Chicago” the media tends to pay special attention to murder cases involving young and often attractive women. When we think of murderers the traditional stereotype is usually a large, possibly older violent man. So when it’s a pretty woman that’s accused of the crime, many people feel shocked and are compelled to pay attention. Take, for example, the trials of Jodi Arias and Casey Anthony. Both were conventionally attractive young women charged with murder, Arias with the murder of her ex-boyfriend and Anthony with the murder of her daughter. While the crimes themselves sparked interest, there’s no doubt that the media took advantage of the opportunity to put an attractive woman underneath a headline about a murder trial. Though of course their fame was short-lived, with Casey Anthony found not guilty and Jodi Arias now serving life in prison.

Other trials, while not dealing with the sensationalized topic of murder, can still gain a large amount of attention, especially when involving high-profile people. The trial between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, for instance, was highly publicized and reported by countless media outlets. In fact, this particular case was so widely popular it spawned many internet memes and quickly became somewhat of a joke online despite the seriousness of the trial itself.

The True Crime Phenomenon
The popularity of true crime media has largely normalized crime as a form of entertainment. Many people are fascinated by stories of intense and often graphic crimes, turning some horrific nightmares into gripping shows or other forms of media.

True crime documentaries and podcasts have become insanely popular in recent years, to the point where true crime has established itself not only as a popular and in-demand genre but as an entire industry all on its own. From reports and discussions of unsolved murders from the past to biographical series about infamous serial killers, true crime has captivated a large audience and only continues to grow as interest persists.

Even before true crime podcasts and docu-series became widely popular, reality TV depicting crime and criminals was still being made and watched by millions. Shows like “Cops” or “Beyond Scared Straight” showcased the real world of police arrests and individuals in prison, allowing viewers to get a glimpse of the world of crime. “To Catch a Predator” also exposed criminals and would-be criminals to the world and showed audiences a darker side to humanity that they quickly became fascinated by. It’s no mistake that these shows became as popular as they did. Many people get a certain thrill from viewing this world we normally don’t get to see.

Crime on Camera
Our fascination with crime also extends to scripted content on TV and in movies. True crime isn’t all we’re interested in. Fictional crime stories also pique many people’s interest and only add to this strange but widely-shared obsession.

Shows depicting police are immensely popular, and there are a plethora of them out there. Whether more comedic shows like “Brooklyn 99” and “Reno 911!” or dramas like “Criminal Minds” or the “NCIS” franchise, audiences are often captivated by portrayals of officers solving crimes and apprehending criminals. These shows play to our individual sense of justice and allow us to be invested in a clear-cut storyline where the bad guys usually get caught. Real-life crimes are rarely so cut and dry, so it’s nice to simply root for the good guys sometimes through fictional media like these.

There’s also been a steady increase in crime and violence in movies. Unlike the cop-centric shows on TV, there are many movies that actually glorify the crime world by putting criminals in the roles of the protagonists. The “Ocean’s” film series for example showcases intricate and complex robberies where the criminals are who we’re supposed to root for. These movies are often fun and action-packed while usually portraying crimes in a positive light.

Crime has been a source of fascination and entertainment for a very long time, and will probably continue to be an obsession for many years to come. The media and the age of the internet have turned crime into a spectacle that many people have developed a possibly unhealthy interest in.