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THE
ACADEMY - LASD CLASS 368 When I first saw the spots for Fox Reality's returning series The Academy: LASD Class #368, I wondered - are we now going to select police officers in a manner similar to Top Chef? Some of my friends thought that was a keen idea but the thought of Fox News watching Americans selecting Rambos and Paul Kerseys to wear a badge I found a bit troubling. Thankfully, it hasn't come to that yet (it won't be long, trust me) but what The Academy does offer is a stark look behind the scenes in law enforcement as the instructors break down recruits and reconstruct those who survive the process into proper Los Angeles Sheriff Department deputies. Like any 'reality' program there are glaring contrivances and heightened drama aplenty, this show is cast like a TV drama on both on the recruit and drill instructor levels but that doesn't lessen the impact or make the results any less devastating (or embarrassing) for those hapless souls that fail to make the grade. To give the production added dramatic continuity there are individuals that flunked out on the first season returning for another try in addition to several recruits who never should have made it through the front door in the first place, again to boost the humiliation factor that is essential in 'reality TV.' I found the first hour a bit empty (everyone has to be introduced, after all) but Fox Reality is offering a two episode premiere that promises to be more fulfilling.The Academy: LASD Class #368 debuts on Fox Reality Saturday, May 24th at 9:00pm ET.
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