With shows such as Cops and First 48, how are they able to film individuals as they undergo criminal charges? Do the criminals sign a release form just before they go to jail?
For the ones who's faces are shown, they'd have to get a release at some point. No release == blurred face. At least I think. Never watched First 48, haven't watched Cops in years.
For a lot of folks that wind up on The First 48, yes. Were it not for this sad fact, a whole ton of reality shows/daytime talk shows/judge judy-type shows wouldn't have any content.
I, too, wonder why. I suspect being on TV is a driving force - to many
people, being on TV can be very enticing. I don't know for sure about
those two shows but in general those types of shows do not pay
anything.