User reviews

One of the more credible "reality TV" series, "The First 48" (which refers to the first 48 hours of a crime investigation) shows real detectives investigating real crimes. All POIs are real. There are no actors, no script.

Each episode lasts about 45 minutes, and begins as the crime investigation begins. The episode then ends with the identity of the perpetrator. In between, cops query neighbors, talk strategy among themselves, search databases, make phone calls, and analyze forensics. It's gritty work. Most of the time, cases are solved, but not always. Usually, the criminal leaves obvious clues, as he or she is not very smart.

Color cinematography is fine. Images are clear and sharp. Given the docudrama approach, editing is important. All the episodes I watched had fine editing. In voice-over, a narrator describes what's going on and why, to help guide viewers.

My only complaint is that some episodes are sewn together in one long sequence. You get the setup for "Loved To Death" (for example), only to be interrupted by the setup for "Unmasked" (a different episode). Then during "Unmasked", the program switches back to "Loved To Death". This back-and-forth presentation of two episodes is annoying. It kills each story's continuity.

I'm not fond of the "reality-TV" genre. But here, the action is not contrived. And there are no Hollywood "stars", mercifully! Overall, "The First 48" is a fine series that at least tries to introduce some reality into a film genre that historically has been way too glamorized.

I believe this is the 2nd or 3rd season and I am hooked completely. No CSI Miami here this is the real deal. Very intriguing from start to finish and it shows how the homicide units of different police department across the USA, really work. Highly recommended if you are a reality/true crime buff. I only wish they would come out with more episodes as I have seen everyone, some 2 or 3 times as A and E shows them throughout the week. My favorite season was the first and some of the real life characters are on other documentaries on A and E. The show takes you from the moment the call comes in until the solving of the cases and all the internal work that goes into gathering evidence and following leads. Also the interrogation of suspects is spotlighted in each episode. Once you watch one episode it will be on your DVR list for sure.

I watch The First 48 every day (old and new episodes). I have been addicted to this show from the very beginning. I'm surprised to learn that the popularity is declining. This is surprising given that the Tulsa crew (added more recently) is so awesome! They work together and seem to solve most of their cases. Of all the cities added in recent years, Tulsa has been the one to watch. I'm not taking anything away from Charlotte, Atlanta, Rochester or any of the others, but that Tulsa crew is dynamic!! I will always be a First 48 fan (13 years and I'm still hooked). The First 48 is my #1 show!!!

This is just about my all-time favorite TV show. It follows real homicide detectives as they work to solve actual cases. You get to ride along with them and see how they put together the clues and catch their suspects. You get to see the devastating effects these homicides have on the families of the victims. You can see how the detectives interview actual suspects and how they handle the strain this rather grim and arduous work which often pulls them out of bed in the middle of the night to go to some miserable crime scene to examine a dead guy who was alive only an hour or so before. These detectives are admirable, heroic, stoic and dedicated to do the work they do and they're not without a sense of humor. This sense of humor isn't the breezy, wisecracking sort you get on the fictional cop shows, but a genuine dark humor which comes from an all-too-real appreciation of the tragic nature of their work and the absurdities of the situations they have to deal with. For example, a suspect is being interrogated by a female officer. The suspect is saying how he was friends with the victim and would never hurt him. However, it's looking more and more obvious he did it. "I knew him since grammar school, he's like a brother to me," the suspect pleads, "I love him to death." The detective replies: "I hope nobody ever loves me that much."

The vast majority of these murders occur in minority neighborhoods. This is a fact of life that many people have a hard time getting their heads around. Why this is may be a complex question. There seems to be a feeling of resignation among the residents of these 'hoods. They are very often reluctant to give information to the police even though they are the ones suffering most from the crimes around them, and though cooperating with the cops would be the surest way to mitigate the crime problem which is making their lives a living hell.

You can observe several salient things watching "The First 48." First, the housing in these high crime neighborhoods isn't really so bad. Second, people appear to be well-fed and possess TVs, cellphone, iPods and all kinds of consumer items including pretty good cars and nice clothes. You are far more likely to see obese people than starving people.

The third thing that impresses is the absolutely deadpan, casual, mindless and cold-blooded way these killers usually commit their murders. Most of them appear to be sleepwalking. They kill on impulse, not from passion or even for some economic gain. They kill innocent bystanders as easily as they kill intended targets. They hardly appear to know how to aim their guns. It seems you have generations of young thugs who appear to be just too dumb to think of anything else to do than to go out and shoot their friends and neighbors for...well, it doesn't even seem like sport, it's more like just something to relive the boredom. I don't know the reason for this, but it is the most absolutely remarkable thing you come to know from watching this series or just reading the stories in the newspapers. It is profoundly shocking to realize that a large cohort of young men, often in their late teens and early 20s have such little regard for human life, and little regard for anything else either. Often the young killers appear stunned, zombielike, when they find themselves in police custody, like they have no idea why they're there and wondering when they can go home.

This show is beautifully produced, visually and structurally, with a very real sense of compassion for the families and friends of the victims. Though the killers seem to be emotionally detached, the families of the victims feel the loss of a loved one very deeply indeed. "The First 48" touches on so many subjects, sociology, criminology, old-fashioned detective work, spirituality, psychology and forensics. It is just about the best 'reality' show on TV today.

I absolutely LOVE this show! So much so that I record it on my DVR if I think I'm going to miss a portion b/c you gotta watch it from the very beginning to the absolute end. These guys work hard and even though I love shoes like C.S.I., they tend to glamorize the work of actual C.S.I.'s. But the detectives on this show are great!!! I especially love when they are in Miami. Of course it's a bummer when a case isn't solved but then again, it's reality. And it goes to show you that not all cases are solved in a day. If someone is interested in a career in law enforcement, this would be the show to watch to see if that is really something you want to do. I hope this show continues for many seasons to come.

If there is one true crime series for buffs you need to watch, it is this one.

Raw and disturbing but what makes it stand out from others is just how real the people are - victims, criminals and the hardworking, tireless detectives and emergency services.

I have watched every single episode of each season and will say it is my fav series. Appreciate it may not be for everyone but for those who do have the interest, it is a series that will stay with you long after the episodes finish. As they say fact can be stranger (and scarier) than fiction. This is the proof.

Thanks to the production team behind this series - perfect in every sense of the word.

I enjoy watching documentaries about real topics and events. Especially those about search and rescue, law enforcement and investigations. To me, this is by far the BEST reality series I've seen.

I have watched this show for forever...I love everything about the detectives and police finding the guilty and having them prosecuted...I am so used to the musical theme of The First 48...PLEASE DON'T CHANGE IT...it is soothing for some reason...I am thinking because I know there are good guys out there protecting all of us and putting away all the evil people.

This is a decent reality series about real murder cases. The access given by the various police departments is intriguing and at times confronting. The main problem with this show is the poor editing and chopping in particular the police interviews with suspects. They really should just let the interview play out and not try to over dramatize the situation with music etc. Besides that, good show

A very good series giving an insight into the crimes committed and subsequent investigations, but my single biggest complaint is the need to recap 3 or 4 times throughout a show which only last 45 minutes at most. Surely those people who are watching the show are interested in the content and therefore can follow a pretty basic plot and time sequence, or are viewers really that dense that they need a recap every 10 minutes.

Why do they only show Black people not that there is anything wrong with that.

But lard god where are the white Chinese Mexicans Germans why all black there just as many different murrders out there show them.

Extremely interesting in the investigation of murders and what it takes to to find a criminal. Obviously, we aren't shown 100 percent of what is involved in solving the crime... But personally I believe they shouldn't show us everything. I think changing cities adds to the show.

My husband & I always watch this show. It is interesting but can be depressing when the victim is just an innocent person in the wrong place at the wrong time - also when they have small children, which is usually the case. It is heartbreaking to see the grief of the relatives when they are informed of their loved one's death.

I like watching the suspects get interviewed. They almost always lie and often the detectives can break them down. Some of the perps show remorse, others feel no guilt.

The only thing I don't like is how two different cases are covered in the same episode and they jump back and forth, back and forth. They're in Miami, now they're in Harris County, TX, now they're back in Miami....The episodes that focus on one case are easier to follow.

A very sobering and scary look at what is happening in America. If this show and the absolutely pathetic display of behavior doesn't make you incredibly sad, while at the same time very very angry, well... it might be time for you to seek professional help.

This is as real as it can get on TV.

Best Show On Television!!!!! Absolutely Exhilarating show!

Out of all of the cop shows out there is by far and away the best. Investigating real life murders with the cops as the case unfolds. Follows the case usually to its conclusion.

This show details the process of solving murders. It shows what goes on behind the scenes to solve murders. There are those who complain about this show "only showing black-on-black" crime but the reality is this is real life. These are actual cases and the detectives aren't out solving only murders committed by a certain race.

I am a bona fide fan of the true crime genre, but this show is not satisfying to me at all, and I thus stopped watching it some time ago.

Every episode, every segment is almost invariably the same thing: a drug deal gone wrong resulting in some not-so-innocent guy shot in an inner-city parking lot. Cops investigate, put pressure on "homies" of the dead dude, and come up with the name of the shooter. Yawn. After the umpteenth time rehashing the same scenario, I have had it. Not to mention that I have never liked the voice of the narrator or the editing between segments that purposely leaves the viewer hanging. I have also never found that the "48-hour" gimmick adds any tension to the proceedings. It's merely an irritating intrusion.

The First 48 is my favorite "reality tv" show of all time.. I can binge watch not only episodes I haven't seen but the ones I have.. You start to build a relationship with the detectives and begin to look at them like they are celebrities because most of them are such likable characters.. What I like is that there's no visible host so the detectives become the stars and instead there's a voice over actor who's name is Dion Graham and he has the perfect voice for the job..

My number one is Jason White I really look up to him. Walker is another one of my favs so down to earth. Leather man and Nate are great! I also love John Brown he's another down to earth guy phenomenal. This whole team should be a show all by themselves. I love everyone on the Tulsa show and hope they all are linin on Tulsa time!