Jenny and I are connoisseurs of made-for-tv mystery movies. Last night we watched Hallmark's most recent McBride mystery—a Perry Mason clone about a defense attorney. While the show makes for some entertaining moments, it also has some really bad moments. In particular, the show follows many of the cheesiest TV formulae, particularly with regard to stereotypes. Here's an example, along with a conversation Jenny and I had. Dialogue and descriptions from the show are indented.

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Late twenty-something pretty hispanic woman walks into the McBride office. Phil, McBride's assistant who lives on a trust-fund, warmly greets her.

PHIL: Maree! It's been a long time!

MAREE: It's good to see you Phil.

[ Maree reveals that her brother was the hispanic kid arrested for the murder. A wrong place wrong time plotline that doesn't hold up to even the barest scrutiny. ]

MCBRIDE: You two know each other?

PHIL: Yes, we have been friends since we were kids. We practically grew up together.

[ Pause ] (Jenny and I often pause the show to make snarky comments about it.)

JENNY: What? How did they hang out when he was a kid? He's got a trust fund. I bet her mom was his housekeeper.

BRENDAN: Come on, Jenny. I know these shows operate on stereotypes, but that's pretty bad. Her family could have been wealthy next-door neighbors or something.

JENNY: If they were wealthy, why was the brother trying to pawn the watch? A rich kid wouldn't do that.

BRENDAN: He might.

JENNY: Okay, sheesh.

[ Play ].

McBride: So how did you two know each other?

PHIL: Maree's mom was our housekeeper.

*Sigh*