Mall Cops: Mall of America
GenreReality
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes12
Production
Executive producers
  • Peter Davey
  • Sheldon Lazarus
Running time22 to 24 minutes
Production companySeptember Films
Original release
NetworkTLC
ReleaseMay 27 (2010-05-27) –
July 8, 2010 (2010-07-08)

Mall Cops: Mall of America is an American reality television series that follows the work of the security team at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, the largest mall in North America. The series was originally just a special one-hour event, however due to the popularity TLC decided to commission a twelve-part series of half an hour length. The special aired on October 15, 2009 with the series debuting on May 27, 2010.[1][2] It is produced by September Films, the company behind Bridezillas.[3]

Format

Mall Cops: Mall of America documents the events of a 100-plus team of mall security officers in the biggest mall in America. The Mall Cops help lost kids, track down shoplifters, arrest disorderly guests, and responding to a variety of medical calls. Mall of America boasts more than 500 stores, a theme park, an aquarium and a school.[4]

Episodes

Season Episodes Season Premiere Season Finale
1 12 May 27, 2010 (2010-05-27) July 8, 2010 (2010-07-08)

Season 1 (2010)

No. Title Original air date U.S. viewers
(million)
0"Pilot"October 15, 2009 (2009-10-15)N/A
1"Black Friday"May 27, 2010 (2010-05-27)1.53[5]
On the busiest day of shopping, the mall cops have to deal with a man carrying a hidden weapon, a girl having a seizure, and a drunk man who refuses to leave the mall voluntarily.
2"Vikings Fever"May 27, 2010 (2010-05-27)1.38[5]
When former Minnesota Vikings players come to the mall, thousands of fans flock the mall to see their idols, however some fans will do anything to see them including starting fights.
3"Palin Power"June 3, 2010 (2010-06-03)N/A
Sarah Palin visits the Mall of America, the mall cops face passionate fans, protesters, a bounty hunter, and a bomb threat all while protecting her.
4"Twilight"June 3, 2010 (2010-06-03)N/A
Teenagers flock to the Mall of America for the premiere of the movie Twilight: New Moon, mall cops try to stop a fight with one person holding a knife, and try to stop drunk man from driving.
5"Man's Best Friend"June 10, 2010 (2010-06-10)N/A
The anti-pet rule is voided for a charity dog walk, a customer feels he is being discriminated against, and a trashcan on fire becomes a threat to mall safety and an argument turns violent.
6"Double Trouble"June 10, 2010 (2010-06-10)N/A
Thousands of people turn out to meet a celebrity chef and author with security stretched to the limit and a possible bomb is discovered after presidential contender Tim Pawlenty arrives.
7"Storm of the Century"June 17, 2010 (2010-06-17)N/A
The Mall of America deals with the possibility of having to close early due to a snowstorm which is predicted to drop 24 inches of snow. The mall cops also face a fight and a fire hazard in the food court.
8"U.S. Women's Hockey Team"June 17, 2010 (2010-06-17)N/A
Hockey fans turn out for the announcement of the U.S. Olympic Women's Hockey Team and mall cops help lost children find their parents, search for stolen cars and stop a serious fight.
9"No Pants Day"June 24, 2010 (2010-06-24)1.53[6]
A group of streakers plan to arrive on trains and then sprint through the Mall of America without wearing any pants. The Director of Security Major Doug Reynolds puts together teams to arrest them.
10"Lockdown"July 1, 2010 (2010-07-01)1.02[7]
Mall Cop Buegler decides to have a mall lockdown drill, after the drill goes badly, she has only a day to find out the problems. Meanwhile Officers must confront a drunk teenager, assist a diabetic man who falls over and look after a child after officers arrested her mother for shoplifting.
11"R.A.M."July 8, 2010 (2010-07-08)N/A
The Mall of America's secret unit, called R.A.M., attempts to train a bomb sniffing dog so it can become a member of the team and after possible terrorist activity R.A.M is sent in high alert status and shuts down the nearby airport.
12"Fancy Nancy"July 8, 2010 (2010-07-08)N/A
After a children's author falls on stage, Mall Cops try to help her. However, with a swarm of people in the crowd, they struggle to get to her. Also, officers try to locate the parents of a child who does not speak English, as well as chase down a shoplifting youth, and assist a man who has suffered a stroke.

Reception

Reviews of the premier of the series were mostly negative, Tom Conroy of Media Life Magazine claimed "At the end of a tired Wednesday, few viewers will be up for a half hour of blandness with a tinge of despair"[8] and Barry Garron of the online site "Hollywood Reporter" said "Making the Mall of America safe for shoppers, one weirdo at a time, isn't as exciting as you might think."[9]

References

  1. ^ Vomhof Jr, John (March 19, 2010). "Mall of America seeks more roles in reality shows after 'Mall Cops' success". twincities.bizjournals.com. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  2. ^ Ayers D, Michael (November 23, 2009). "TLC Picks Up 'Mall Cops: Mall of America'". tvsquad.com. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  3. ^ Vomhof Jr, John (March 23, 2010). "Mall of America 911!". portfolio.com. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  4. ^ "Mall of America Reality Show Mall Cops". bittenandbound.com. October 16, 2009. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  5. ^ a b Seidman, Robert (May 28, 2010). "Thursday Cable Ratings: Lakers/Suns NBA Playoff Averages 8.7 Million Viewers & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012.
  6. ^ Gorman, Bill (June 25, 2010). "UPDATED Thursday Cable Ratings: Futurama Returns Strong; Plus Burn Notice, Royal Pains, NBA Draft & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011.
  7. ^ Seidman, Robert (July 2, 2010). "Thursday Cable Ratings: USA's Royal Pains & Burn Notice lead Thursday cable pack; Bethenny Lags Futurama". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012.
  8. ^ Tom Conroy (May 24, 2010). "Mall Cops: Mall of America, unarresting". Medialifemagazine.com. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
  9. ^ Barry Garron (May 24, 2010). "Mall Cops: Mall of America -- TV Review". Hollywoodreporter.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
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