'Judging Amy': Reel Social Work Success on CBS

NASW NEWS - January 2000

By John V. O'Neill, MSW, News Staff

Members can suggest plot lines to a CBS television show's researchers.

NASW is participating in the development of story lines for "Judging Amy," a popular CBS series that contains the first major, realistic portrayal of a social worker on television since George C. Scott starred in "East Side/West Side" in the 1960s.

The show's producers and researchers have been receptive to and appreciative of NASW's suggestions about ethical dilemmas that social workers face on their jobs — situations that could make authentic plots for the hit series. The network's publicists are also inviting NASW chapters and members to pitch story angles for local CBS-affiliate news broadcasts that tie in with episodes of "Judging Amy."

In the series, Amy Gray (portrayed by Amy Brenneman) is a newly divorced lawyer and single mother who moves in with her mother, longtime social worker Maxine Gray (Tyne Daly). Brenneman's character becomes a juvenile court judge, while Daly's deals with custody issues as a family services social worker.

The drama revolves around domestic friction between mother, daughter, granddaughter and Brenneman's free-spirited brother Vincent (Dan Futterman) and the wrenching professional and ethical decisions Brenneman and Daly face in their work with children and families.

In October, the series was gaining viewers each week, something unusual for a new offering. It was the most popular new drama of the year and one of the top 20 rated shows, although its competition in the Tuesdays, 10 p.m. time slot is the perennially popular "NYPD Blue."

Brenneman's best-known previous television role was as Janice Licalsi in "NYPD Blue." "Judging Amy" is based on the real-life story of Brenneman's own mother, who was a judge.

Daly, one of the television industry's most acclaimed and respected performers, received four Emmys as Outstanding Lead Actress in "Cagney and Lacey." She has appeared in numerous productions on Broadway.

Since the short-lived "East Side/West Side" in the 1963-64 season, which critics liked and viewers found downbeat, television has neglected social workers. While lawyers were trying cases, cops were arresting criminals, doctors were saving lives, cowboys were riding the range, and a sprinkling of soldiers, teachers, private investigators and newspaper reporters were center stage, social workers played minor roles, if any at all, in America's television lineup.

"The Norm Show" last year broke the ice after decades of inattention — only to feature the lowbrow shenanigans of a hockey player sentenced to community service as a "social worker." Norm's antics, like drinking with and lusting for clients, were so anathema to social work ethics and values that NASW publicly protested.

The objections to "Norm" were printed in dozens of major newspapers, and some NASW members found them shrill and lacking in humor.

Lucy Norman, NASW public affairs manager, said it is more comfortable to be cooperating in the development of story lines for "Judging Amy" — a show that she has never heard a social worker object to — than protesting social work's portrayal on "The Norm Show."

Researchers for "Judging Amy" have received copies of Current Controversies in Social Work Ethics: Case Examples, an NASW publication that outlines social work ethical dilemmas and approaches to them by ethics experts. Maureen McGlone, NASW manager of ethics and professional review, who helped research Current Controversies, has been participating in discussions with the show's staff.

In addition, NASW members who believe they have ideas that would make good fodder for an "Amy" episode are encouraged to submit them [see related item].

The show's publicists have also suggested that NASW chapters whose members have expertise in issues covered on the show pitch news story ideas to CBS affiliates to be run on local news shows after "Judging Amy" ends at 11 p.m.

"Judging Amy" plot outlines are being sent to chapters as far in advance as possible to allow them to develop local news angles portraying social workers accurately.

Members Can Help Write Script Ideas about childrens' issues and juvenile court cases are especially welcome.

NASW members who have story ideas involving social work ethical dilemmas, childrens' issues and cases that have been in juvenile court are encouraged to send them to NASW's public affairs staff to be considered for CBS's hit show "Judging Amy."

The show's producers are looking for story ideas about family court and child placement issues that have a strong element of tension and a novel twist, such as what a social worker is ethically bound to report to authorities but doesn't want to report.

Those with suggested plot lines should submit three paragraphs: the ethical or personal dilemma the social worker or client faced; how they worked through it; and the outcome. Brevity is the key, said Brian Morris, NASW public affairs consultant.

"Most media protrayals of social workers have been strange, at best," said Morris. "'Judging Amy' wants them to be credible and wants to work with NASW."

Send story ideas to: publicaffairs@naswdc.org


Copyright © 2000 National Association of Social Workers, Inc. All rights reserved.