Rescue 911

It's a known fact in life we all need help occasionally. This is another of my favorite documentary programs, it's also kind of a childhood gem which I saw when I was about eight years old. I'm usually I'm not into documentary programs depending on the subject matter but this show is one of the exceptions. This show was a hit at the time, and there really was nothing like it as this show was before we have the common place documentary shows on cable channels or streaming. Heck it was such a hit there was even a pinball game based on the show, which I played and is cool it's one of my favorite pinball games of all time, only disappointment William Shatner's vocals weren't in it.

Anyway, watching this now is interesting in a way makes this a history program as each of stories happened years ago. The reenactments are pretty good, I wouldn't say great as their not all too fanciful looking, but hey their reenactments what do you expect. But the fact they're not fanciful looking I feel adds to the realistic sensibility, a way of showing this isn't your typical TV show episode this is real life. Some would say there are a few stores that are a bit strange, and seem ridiculous, but we live in a strange world so it happens and as an old saying goes truth is stranger than fiction and who's to say it can't happen.

I really like William Shatner as a host, yes, I'm a "Star Trek" fan, but other than that I thought it was cool seeing him do something different, and it's fitting as he role of Captain Kirk is one of high authority. His voice just fits like a glove, here he really tells things at they are in all seriousness. I love the theme song which is one of my favorite themes, it's kind of an exciting them but with a touch of seriousness, but the theme felt right as it sang out how help is always on the way.

The show is suspenseful, thought it's true that you can easily predict the 911 rescuers will come through in the end, but the suspense is wondering how, and no one really comes out unscathed which once again shows how truly dangerous the situations are. It was also cool seeing the police and other emergency workers in action, it's also educational in seeing what these people in this line of work have to do to defuse the bad situation, but also makes you grateful that we have services like this around.

I remember the home break in situations I'll admit we're the ones that made me the most nervous and I'll admit scary the mere thought of burglars breaking into your house unannounced. I couldn't help but be on the edge of my seat hoping the police will arrive on time.

Or even the fire situations hoping everyone got out let alone an entrapment situation or two which made me hope I never got into that. Despite how scary those stories can be sometimes, the show taught me a couple of important lessons as a kid which is how the world can be a dangerous place and these dangerous situations can happen to anyone. But also, the importance of calling for help when absolutely needed.

I personally wouldn't mind a revival of this show, I'd like to hear some of the stories going on right now. For a host I wouldn't mind seeing William do it again or maybe some other sci-fi alumni "Patrick Stewart, Michael Dorn, Kate Mulgrew." Yeah, I know long shots but an interesting though none the less and who's to say it shouldn't be considered. Overall if your into vintage documentary shows, ones that have to do with emergency services then this is worth dialing up. Just remember help is just a phone call away.

Rating: 4 stars

Rescue 911 was a very surreal and scary show when I was growing up. Oftentimes, events and situations occur without any sort of explanation and being sudden and serious. As a kid, I didn't quite understood exactly why that was and felt that emergencies can happen without warning and that there's nothing you can do about it.

As an adult, now I understand why a lot of episodes were so scary as a child. The show leaves out a very large chunk of details and I never noticed it as a child, but this show is rather political.

For example, nearly every gun related incident generally make it sound like gun shots are very serious and sudden and without warning. In one episode, victims were shown taken to a hospital, with no backstory other than they were shot, and somehow were talking and then suddenly died for no reason. Other times, a rapist enters a house where a woman with no firearm training, tried to learn to shoot in a few seconds where the criminal was able to overpower her. After the episode, she came on to say she gave her guns to the police and told people don't worry the police will help you more so than any gun would. Seems to be very political to me for the time.

Other episodes involve similar absent of information that would make more sense. For example, in one segment a man entered a woman's apartment and her child called 911. It was very obvious from the way it was explained that the woman was being actively assaulted but yet the way it was narrated was as if nothing was going on and things were very casual. As an adult I understood what was going on but as a kid, there's no way I would understand.

Some episodes leave out very critical details that involve things like seizures, bleeding, drug uses, etc that all leave out some very critical detail that would make a big impact in the presentation and understanding of the events unfolding.

This is a rather exciting reality TV series featuring William Shatner as he hosts police-related stories. As he narrates, actors reenact true events of 911 rescues.

It's a very daring, heartfelt and intriguing TV show as it shows the courageous rescuers helping people in distress, sometimes in a heart-pounding race against time.

Shatner does a good job narrating, providing a serious and eloquent tone to his voice.

One of the better reality chop shows out there.

Grade B+

I started watching Rescue 911, when I was younger. Now that I am a mom, my kids (well my 11 yr old daughter, my 3 yr old son doesn't care too much) & I think it teaches what can happen if you do this, or how to prevent something from happening, to begin with. I even watched an episode where a boy gave CPR, to someone, he knew, and he had learned it from watching the show. It saves lives!! They show a variety of accidents, babies coming early, people getting sick and they quit breathing, police chases, and even break ins. I remember hearing only 3 stories of where someone died. One was the Guadalupe River story, where the teens drowned, when the bus was over consumed in flood water (some lived, but some did die sadly), 2 teens sniffed paint and one died, and a man tried to save a drowning victim, and he died (the man attempting the rescue). However, they are so many happy endings!! They should have kept it longer, but glad they show reruns!

This show was what we in the industry term as Compelling TV. It was an addictive show that re-enacted all sorts of horrible and gruesome events that leaded up to an actual call to 911. The best part of the show was that it was broken up into segments that were, in effect, 15 minute scoldings for stupid behavior. For instance, a man mishandles a .357 magnum and shoots his friend through the back while they are out in the woods, away from all civilization (and hospitals). Or, 2 girls are playing in a drainage ditch (which is illegal and very dangerous) when it suddenly fills with water and they are swept away. How about the time that some youngsters decided to outrun a train and didn't quite make it. Who could forget the kid who stuck his tongue to the frozen peas. We learned that a cup of water would remedy that situation. (That kid denied the whole incident by saying he was licking his lips because he was so hungry and then his tongue got stuck. Yeah right! Just admit it-your predicament educated the entire country and the ensuing remedy was even referenced in Dumb and Dumber). Then there was the time that a man was cleaning his pool and hit the strainer against a power line, resulting in cardiac arrest. In effect, America learned that rules are made for a reason and that warning labels should always be read; if not, disastrous consequences might ensue. Also, America learned that if an accident did occur, brave men and women would drop everything and risk their lives to save you. It doesn't matter if you deserve it or if it is your fault-help is always on the way.