Putting the Small Town in Security

July 3, 2012
New AMC show brings reality TV to the contract security industry

About to join such critically-acclaimed shows as The Walking Dead, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Killing, and Hell on Wheels is a new original series on AMC called Small Town Security. The show focuses on a small, family-owned private security company located in rural Georgia.

So how will these security-related services translate into a 30-minute, 8-episode season of reality TV? AMC is holding its cards close to the vest, but it has released a couple of video previews.

The company, JJK Security & Investigations Inc., according to its website, provides uniformed guard service, private investigations, mobile security patrol and process serving service, among other things. Their "commercial" outlines their services with a strange, Crazy Eddie-feeling vibe. Of course, there is a disclaimer..."Not all listed services actually offered" -- while funny, it probably is a harbinger of things to come for this series. JJK probably means "Just Joking, Kids" -- or something like that.

The show seems to center around Joan Koplan, who I assume is one of the owners of the firm. From what I could glean from a couple 30-second previews, Joan, known as "The Chief", is a foul-mouthed gruff lady who might be interesting to watch (maybe). My guess is she berates her husband, Irwin, much to the delight of viewers everywhere.

My opinion? Sounds like Dog the Bounty Hunter without the Dog. Or COPS without the police. Or Operation Repo with security guards. But hey, we love security, so why not give it a shot anyway? Small Town Security premieres Sun., Jul. 15 at 11/10c, immediately after Breaking Bad's Season 5 premiere.

About the Author

Paul Rothman | Editor-in-Chief/Security Business

Paul Rothman is Editor-in-Chief of Security Business magazine. Email him your comments and questions at [email protected]. Access the current issue, full archives and apply for a free subscription at www.securitybusinessmag.com.