A Memphian's Guide to Watching "Memphis Beat"

A Memphian's Guide to Watching "Memphis Beat"

First, you must learn to ignore the factual errors.

"Memphis Beat", TNT's new procedural cop drama set in the Bluff City is full of them. The convenience store at the beginning of the show sells both hard liquor and beer (not in real Tennessee, it doesn't), Jason Lee's character refers to a neighborhood as a "ward", and locals know that Gus's fried chicken comes in a greasy paper bag, not a box. Also, if anyone knows where the Memphis County referenced on the police badges is, I'd kind of like to go there.

Secondly, you have to understand that this is TV Memphis, not Real Memphis. Cliches abound. The show opens and closes with Dwight performing Elvis songs with his band. Biscuits are eaten, there is a Sassy Black Lady Detective, and the stairs at the police station are inexplicably occupied by a handful of Asian Elvis lookalikes in shiny gold jackets.

Those things aside, "Memphis Beat" is enjoyable, if a little bland. Jason Lee dusts off his "My Name is Earl" accent to play Dwight, a quirky mama's boy detective who spends his days using his instincts to solve crimes and his evenings fronting an Elvis tribute band. I couldn't help but like Lee as he tried to solve an elder abuse case involving a former WHER DJ.

The supporting cast is equally lovable. After watching the first episode, I hope that the writers continue to develop them as characters rather than stereotypes. DJ Qualls (who was also in "Hustle & Flow") is played for laughs as Dwight's bumbling underling. I'm also curious to see where the writers will take Tanya Rice, the tough new boss played by Alfre Woodard. She's talented enough to be so much more than the Sassy Lady Cop.

Since the show was announced, there's been a fair amount of uproar in Memphis over the show's filming location. While some exterior shots were filmed in Memphis, the majority of the show was shot in New Orleans because of the tax incentives that Louisiana gives to filmmakers. I was hoping that it wouldn't matter in the show's final product - that it would be easy to believe that the interior shots or bad neighborhoods were ours. Like Memphis, New Orleans has a personality and look that's all its own, and it shows. There's just something subtly off about the setting. It's little things that people outside of Memphis won't notice - the light, the skyline shot that looks like here but isn't, the blue street signs - but that locals will find distracting.

I'm willing to give the show time, though. Last night was just the first episode, and viewers have to be willing to forgive a show its pilot. "Memphis Beat" could (and probably will) get better with time.

Ultimately, a show like "Memphis Beat" will do more good than harm. Like it or not, our name and our culture (and yes, our cliches) are the subject of a national television show. If the show runs long enough or ever has the budget to do so, maybe they'll dig a little deeper into the soul of the place and make "Memphis Beat" something that we can watch with pride.

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Kara @ Curious…
I can’t say that I hated it, but I was a little disappointed. I liked Jason Lee’s character though, so I’m willing to watch it for a few more episodes and see where it goes.
June 23, 2010 10:41am
OliviaLucille
Word. I agree. If a gritty Memphis cop show is what you want, not the Disney-fied one - Police Women of Memphis is still on the air. I don't understand why the pilot didn't START with the killing off of the lieutenant instead of having him, whoever he is, already dead. Eh... I'll give it time. I'll definitely be tuning in next week. I like the idea of a character who has big love for Memphis.
June 23, 2010 1:14pm
Emily
I liked the show and hope it continues to improve! The term "ward" is a police term for the "section" they work. Each precinct has several wards!
June 23, 2010 9:54pm
Matt
Kerry, First I believe this is one of your best posts - very well written. I couldn;t watch the show Tuesday night so I DVRed it and watched it last night. To add to what Emily said, while they're not commomly referenced in public, MPD does have 'wards' throughout the city. I happen to live in Ward 432. Sometimes you have to balance authenticity with telling a good story and with showcasing what you want to place a focus on. At first I was put off by showing Gus' in a box vs. a bag. I later realized, if they were eating it from a bag no one watching would know it was Gus'. Nice use of Corky's to-go boxes too. While I wasn;t blown away, I'm going to keep watching.
June 24, 2010 11:44am
Victoria
Any opinions on episode 2? I thought it was pretty well done, especially the repetitive reenacting of the crime--an effective technique in real life that is rarely seen in procedurals. The episode was also was a little less guilty than the first of shouting Memphis!Memphis!Memphis!, while looking like New Orleans. The "out on Monroe" rang a little false, but from a downtowner's perspective, maybe. I don't know why you'd have to go to South Memphis to throw something in the river, though. :-)
June 30, 2010 5:01pm
A.J
According to Jason Lee, the plan for next season is to shoot entire episodes in Memphis, as opposed to New Orleans. He apparently wanted to do it all along, but was unable because of costs, so the producers decided to create the first block of shows there, collect revenue, and then shoot the next block in Memphis.
August 2, 2010 2:45pm
chad
Hi. I was reading the article about Memphis beat..... I probally watch it as close as anyone from Memphis.. The show was shot I'm my hometown of Laplace,LA. I watch and notice all the places I know of that suppose to be out there,but are here..... Chad
August 11, 2010 8:37am
chad
After reading AJ's post, I just wanted to say to watch out y'all in Memphis.they just finished shooting here in louisisna about a week ago. So, if they are goin shoot up there be on the lookout because they could start anytime. Also, I can't believe they leave the GTO outside all night!! Good for me though,got a chance to check it out & get some pictures..
August 11, 2010 8:49am
Ashley
Regardless of the lack of authenticity of "Memphis" throughout the episodes from a local's perspective, I LOVE this show- it's so simple yet entertaining. You can typically figure out the plot from the beginning, but I still can't turn it off (even when his mom's horribly fake Southern accent is dripping off my tv screen). Last night's episode was one of my fave's yet...Dwight can do it all!
August 11, 2010 9:06am
Good News for …
[...] Everyone’s favorite not-quite-local cop drama “Memphis Beat” has been renewed for a second season on TNT. Maybe this time, they’ll be able to film [...]
September 2, 2010 10:31am
Claudine
I will be visiting Memphis the first week in July... Is there any read places that they feature on the show that we could eat in/walk by, stop in. some touristy things. Thanks! Loving this show and all the talk this season about Beale Street
June 21, 2011 10:22pm
I Love Memphis…
[...] how I felt about that other cop show about Memphis, I have a total soft spot for  TLC’s “Police Women of [...]
July 15, 2010 10:23am