Soon after 9-11, a rash of USA flags, NYPD caps and FDNY shirts appeared in the background of various sit-coms and other fiction-based television series. But, to my knowledge, the events of 9-11 were never expicitly incorporated into the plotlines of any of the shows, nor were they even mentioned in passing.
Am I mistaken? Was 9-11 ever mentioned on say, Friends, L&O, Becker, Everbody Loves Raymond, or any other contemporary fiction-based TV series?
Mentioned quite a bit on NYPD Blue, as one might expect.
I’m pretty sure The West Wing covered it, but I might be mistaken.
“Third Watch” made it part of several story lines.
While “West Wing” did a special episode on the subject of Arab terrorism not long after 9/11, it wasn’t directly based on the real events.
I’m sure that all three L&Os have mentioned it. Family Law and The Practice both had cases involving detention of Arab Americans following the events of 9/11.
I’m reasonably certain that there was a mention of something on ER (but not entirely certain) and I think I remember throwaway lines on a sitcom (Again, not entirely certain).
I also think that I saw commercials for a Very Special Third Watch that was supposed to be about the events.
The spy drama “Spooks” shown in the UK earlier this year made a passing reference to the attacks in the first episode.Remarking upon the extra work that they have MI5 etc…
“Boston Public” referred to it in a conversation late in the season (I think), between a teacher and a parent.
“Did anything stressful happen to your son this year?”
“Couple of buildings fell down.”
“That happened to everyone. It doesn’t excuse (whatever lousy behavior the kid was engaged in).”
Of course that should read “They have given MI5 etc…”
Third Watch did a couple of episodes at the start of the fall season. First was a hastily-produced documentary, a two-hour special with interviews of police & firefighters who were inside the towers.
The official season opener was set on September 10th. It ended with Our Heroes hearing the planes roaring overhead, then everyone rushing to the scene – though we never see them there.
That episode was followed by another set about a week later (?) in which we learn that one firefighter’s father was traumatized because her father died in the collapse.
Later in the season, it was reaveled that the cop Bosco’s psychological problems were because he was caught in the dust cloud.
Then, for the season finale, they chucked all verisimilitude out the window, as Our Heroes cope with a riot during a blackout on a hot summer day. Which has not happened lately in NYC.
That should read, “…one firefighter ws traumatized because her father died in the collapse.” Oops.
South Park did a whole episode about Osama Bin Laden. Many felt it was uncharacteristically pro-US, sparking claims that the ending had been altered as a result of some shadowy anti-satire pressure.
JAG made a whole season of the events, and will continue next season.
There was a passing (VERY passing) reference on Frasier, not long ago. Niles is dropping Daphne off at the airport, and says he’s like to be able to walk her to the gate, but can’t, bcause of “All the security.”
And two more South Park references: One episode parodied both the “it” scooter, and less-than-competant airline security, and the last episode…
…The original print of the Raiders of the Lost Ark film ws hidden in a huge warehouse that turned out to be the Red Cross’ “9/11 Relief Funds” storage site.
Ranchoth
I remember a recent L&O episode where Lenny Briscoe’s new partner (the guy that looks like Marvin Gaye) remarks how its wrong to single out Arabs and Muslims for heightened scrutiny,
then Lenny points down the avenue, saying:
“Take a good look at that skyline, pal. There’s supposed to be two towers down there!”