Tweet Being a Detroiter (or former Detroiter) can make you overly sensitive. We can complain and put down our city as much as we want, but there is hell to pay if someone else does it. That's what many feared when ABC announced it was creating the series Detroit 1-8-7 . People complained about the crime portrayal. City council members even tried to get the the name of the show changed. Since ABC is owned by Disney, it wouldn't surprise me if someone didn't try to negotiate cameo appearances by Mickey Mouse into the show.

Detroit is a big city. Big cities have crime. And Detroit is a great setting for a crime drama. It's even better if you film it there.

I know a few people who got jobs on the production crew — former ad people. Michigan offers great tax incentives for production companies who film there. We've had a few good movies (Gran Torino ). It's about time for a TV show. I don't think Michigan/Detroit will be the Hollywood of the midwest, but it's an exciting shot in arm for the economy. For the ad community, people with production experience are getting a chance at new opportunities. Unfortunately, working on a film is like construction jobs or freelance — you work for a short time and it may be months before you work again. A TV show is a bit more steady. A successful TV show is like having a regular job.

One of my favorite all-time crime shows, The Wire, changed a lot of lives in Baltimore. Many are still in a better place because of the show. And no, I'm not afraid to go there, because of the show. I still visit family in the area.

Personally, I thought Detroit 1-8-7 was pretty good, reminiscent of NYPD Blue. I'm going to watch it. I hope you'll watch it  and support what they are doing for the area. Maybe there will be a spin-off more to city council's liking.

I'm thinking Mickey Mouse: Homicide Detective.