About three weeks ago, a new TV show debuted on the USA Network.  It takes place in San Francisco and chronicles the daily life of a mediator.  Who does she encounter and how does she help them?  The show depicts the mediator intervening whenever conflict arises, but is it accurate? 

As you can imagine, mediators are all abuzz about this new show.  It’s exciting to finally be recognized in the professional world with a TV show.  Some mediators say that we’ve finally arrived while others are not so happy about how the mediator is depicted in the show.  For years, we’ve seen lawyer shows peppering the air waves.  The legal profession has been depicted as one of glamour, excitement, and money.  Many of us in the legal profession know otherwise.  So how does this mediator show stack up next to the lawyer shows?  Time will tell. 

So far, the main character has mediated a store holdup and a dispute between a couple about an antique ring.  She’s also helped a criminal find his voice by smashing up a store with him (long story).  It’s been interesting to watch the show as a long time mediator.  While I appreciate her listening and reframing skills, I see the excessive glamour that is so network TV.  I think it will be interesting to watch how the show unfolds during future episodes.  If it can raise the public’s awareness of mediation as an alternative to court and highlight mediation’s benefits, I support those efforts 100%.  As I said before, time will tell.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 4th, 2011 at 11:49 am and is filed under Conflict Resolution Tips, Mediation Info, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.