Criminals smiling for the camera? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

justins5256 · 04-05-2008, 12:26 PM

I couldn't help but notice how some criminals who have been caught and their arrests (or at least transports from court, the police station etc.) shown on UM were smiling or otherwise didn't seem to care what was happening to them. Examples include Diane Brodbeck, Sandra Beeman, Jerry Strickland, Dave Davis, David Berkowitz (in the news footage taken after his arrest). I was curious about the psychology behind this. Why do they smile? Are these people true sociopaths and just don't care? Are they enjoying the 15 minutes of fame regardless of the notoriety? Or are they so shocked and stunned by what is going on that their brain has taken a brief hiatus in la la land?

Any psychologists (armchair or otherwise, I know we have at least one real practicing psychologist posting here) care to take a crack at this?

James T · 04-05-2008, 01:12 PM

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/graphic...bookertmug.jpg

Dislimb · 04-05-2008, 07:54 PM

wiseguy182 · 04-07-2008, 12:13 AM

The one that sticks out in my mind was that idiot Jerry Gerbasoni or whatever his name was, who made a habit of hiding his face as they were walking him to the plane, and then smiling once he got on the plane. I told myself that he looked like an aboslute idiot for doing that.

Which brings me to another point, that I think was previously addressed by Seinfeld at the intro to one of his shows. why do criminals hide their faces from cameras? It's as if they're saying "I hope the guys at the office don't see this or my reputation will be ruined." But the thing is they're face is pretty well known by the point they're captured, so it's pretty much worthless to hide it.

I always enjoy sneaking in a Seinfeld reference for crystaldawn.

crystaldawn · 04-07-2008, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

I always enjoy sneaking in a Seinfeld reference for crystaldawn.

Thanks Wiseguy....

Its especially funny when they have them on camera for a good 10 seconds, face in full view, than they decide they're going to put their hands up to shield their face. Don't they realize even if they don't get a good shot of them while they're being taken somewhere the news program will just show everyone their mugshot?

Sterling Holobyte · 04-07-2008, 09:27 AM

That's America; we have the happiest criminals.

Seriously though, it is probably some of each of those things you mentioned, Justin. Depending on who it is.

ididn'tdoit · 04-07-2008, 10:20 AM

OMG, how about Robert Weeks when he was arrested? Smiling and blinking like it was some kind of joke, what a creep!

crystaldawn · 04-07-2008, 04:37 PM

Its a little dark but here is Diane Brodbeck in all her glory...

Dislimb · 04-07-2008, 07:29 PM

LooksLikeCRicci · 04-07-2008, 07:35 PM

Uhh... Dislimb? You usually have so much to say, but today, I see nothing.

wiseguy182 · 04-08-2008, 02:12 AM

Malaika Griffen, though the pic annoys me so much that I'm not going to post it.

Dislimb · 04-08-2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LooksLikeCRicci

Uhh... Dislimb? You usually have so much to say, but today, I see nothing.

Damn hyperlinking!

kadrmas15 · 04-08-2008, 05:14 PM

How about the whole scene with Edgar Karns and that female prison guard after they were arrested? Holding hands and kissing and smiling and everything is so cuddly and carefree. Robert Weeks was certainly a character. Highly arrogant and highly smug.

FranchiseLegend · 04-09-2008, 03:39 PM

Don't forget the infamous Dale Kerstetter....

crystaldawn · 05-08-2009, 03:19 PM

Not sure if this has been posted before but the Kay Beeman/Edgar Kerns segment was on Spike today. I can't remember how many years he got for the escape but Kay received 41 months. They said after they served their terms they lived together until her death from an undisclosed disease.

04-05-2008, 12:26 PM	#1
justins5256 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 08, 2002 Posts: 3,866	Criminals smiling for the camera? I couldn't help but notice how some criminals who have been caught and their arrests (or at least transports from court, the police station etc.) shown on UM were smiling or otherwise didn't seem to care what was happening to them. Examples include Diane Brodbeck, Sandra Beeman, Jerry Strickland, Dave Davis, David Berkowitz (in the news footage taken after his arrest). I was curious about the psychology behind this. Why do they smile? Are these people true sociopaths and just don't care? Are they enjoying the 15 minutes of fame regardless of the notoriety? Or are they so shocked and stunned by what is going on that their brain has taken a brief hiatus in la la land? Any psychologists (armchair or otherwise, I know we have at least one real practicing psychologist posting here) care to take a crack at this?

04-07-2008, 09:27 AM	#6
Sterling Holobyte Harper House Senior Member Join Date: Nov 07, 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,896	That's America; we have the happiest criminals. Seriously though, it is probably some of each of those things you mentioned, Justin. Depending on who it is.
	__________________ "Let it go. Forget about it. Try smiling." -Michael Harris WPIV studio producer/shoe salesman/grocery store employee/Ex-sanitarium patient/Stephanie's boyfriend-then husband --------------------------------------------------- My 2nd First Blog:http://saturdaymorningfunnies.wordpress.com/

04-07-2008, 04:37 PM	#8
crystaldawn Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,261	Its a little dark but here is Diane Brodbeck in all her glory... Attached Images

04-05-2008, 01:12 PM	#2
James T Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 23, 2006 Location: England Posts: 1,571	http://www.thesmokinggun.com/graphic...bookertmug.jpg

04-05-2008, 07:54 PM	#3
Dislimb Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 23, 2006 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 431

04-07-2008, 12:13 AM	#4
wiseguy182 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 11, 2006 Location: Wendy's salad bar Posts: 7,030	The one that sticks out in my mind was that idiot Jerry Gerbasoni or whatever his name was, who made a habit of hiding his face as they were walking him to the plane, and then smiling once he got on the plane. I told myself that he looked like an aboslute idiot for doing that. Which brings me to another point, that I think was previously addressed by Seinfeld at the intro to one of his shows. why do criminals hide their faces from cameras? It's as if they're saying "I hope the guys at the office don't see this or my reputation will be ruined." But the thing is they're face is pretty well known by the point they're captured, so it's pretty much worthless to hide it. I always enjoy sneaking in a Seinfeld reference for crystaldawn.

04-07-2008, 10:20 AM	#7
ididn'tdoit Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 03, 2006 Posts: 405	OMG, how about Robert Weeks when he was arrested? Smiling and blinking like it was some kind of joke, what a creep!

04-07-2008, 07:29 PM	#9
Dislimb Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 23, 2006 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 431

04-07-2008, 07:35 PM	#10
LooksLikeCRicci Likes to live in a clean house Moderator Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 27, 2005 Posts: 4,050	Uhh... Dislimb? You usually have so much to say, but today, I see nothing.

04-08-2008, 02:12 AM	#11
wiseguy182 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 11, 2006 Location: Wendy's salad bar Posts: 7,030	Malaika Griffen, though the pic annoys me so much that I'm not going to post it.

04-08-2008, 05:14 PM	#13
kadrmas15 Retired from Board 03/03/11 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,910	How about the whole scene with Edgar Karns and that female prison guard after they were arrested? Holding hands and kissing and smiling and everything is so cuddly and carefree. Robert Weeks was certainly a character. Highly arrogant and highly smug.

04-09-2008, 03:39 PM	#14
FranchiseLegend Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 20, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 25	Don't forget the infamous Dale Kerstetter....

05-08-2009, 03:19 PM	#15
crystaldawn Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,261	Not sure if this has been posted before but the Kay Beeman/Edgar Kerns segment was on Spike today. I can't remember how many years he got for the escape but Kay received 41 months. They said after they served their terms they lived together until her death from an undisclosed disease.