Showbusiness Gets the City Government it Deserves

New York City is so famous that people all over the world think they know everything -- or, at least, a lot -- about the city even if they know very little. This ignorance might even include New Yorkers themselves.

This lack of knowledge extends to the city government.   

I'm sure everyone knows NYC has a mayor -- but I'm also sure precious few know when or how the mayor is elected, if mayors are or aren't term-limited, etc. And besides mayors, how many people know anything else about city government and its elected leaders?

Movies and TV shows loves to have mayors and other city officials are characters -- think City Hall, Spin City, Ghostbusters II, lots more. Yet recently some new shows and movies have gone down the chain of city government and revealed this profound ignorance of NYC government in embarrassing ways.

A show called What We Do in the Shadow takes place on Staten Island and refers to the Staten Island City Council. It must therefore come as news to people on Staten Island who watch this show that their borough has finally achieved independence after all.

The Marvel movies seem to confuse the PATH trains for the subway.

A new show called Sunnyside has a New York City "Councilor" getting elected in 2004 and serving for 15 years -- something that is impossible since there are no city elections in 2004 and councilmen/women are limited to two four year terms.

And so much more.

Seriously, this is Mr NYC message to Hollywood: if you're gonna portray city government, GET IT RIGHT! Do a Google search! Or consult with me! It's embarrassing to see movies and TV shows get this town so wrong!