Border Security: The Reality Show

Imagine the TV show *Cops, *except along the U.S.-Mexican border. That seems to be the idea behind Border, a new reality show that, according to Hollywood Reporter, will be "shot in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security, as well as several other government agencies." Considering there's a reality show for everything from dog grooming to infidelity, perhaps this newest entrant to TV-inspired voyeurism shouldn't be surprising:

*"We're showing everyday heroes who are risking their lives to protect us," said Shapiro, who also produced the law enforcement series "Rescue 911" and the classic jailhouse documentary "Scared Straight." "Every mode of transportation to get into the country, we have covered." *

"Border" is based on the Australian series "Border Security: Australia's Front Line," which debuted in 2004. ABC purchased the rights to the format and tapped Shapiro to shepherd the U.S. version. Shapiro wrangled the cooperation of the DHS (as well as the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, United States Citizenship & Immigration Services, the Secret Service, Customs & Border Protection and Immigration & Customs Enforcement). The network plans to launch "Border" sometime next season.

Here are some highlights to look forward to: "The security agents depicted in the show stop a wide range of criminal behavior. In one episode, customs finds a human skull shipped through the mail. In another, a Coast Guard boat chases cocaine smugglers."

[Image: Cops]