What Would You Do? (season 2)

The second season of the American situational hidden camera television series What Would You Do?, originally titled Primetime: What Would You Do?, premiered on January 26, 2009, and concluded on March 24, 2009. The nine-episode season, presented by news correspondent John Quiñones, was broadcast on Tuesday nights in the United States on ABC.

What Would You Do?
Season 2
Presented byJohn Quiñones
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes9
Release
Original networkABC
Original releaseJanuary 6 (2009-01-06) –
March 24, 2009 (2009-03-24)
Season chronology

Executive produced by Robert Lange and David Sloan, the second season of the show was well-received by critics and viewers, gaining an average viewership of 6.47 million viewers per episode. On April 26, 2010, ABC renewed the show for a third season.[1]

Production

Development

After being renewed for a second season back in 2008, ABC reported that the second season would consist of nine episodes, and tackle issues of racial discrimination.[2][3][4]

Filming

Most of the scenarios presented in the season were filmed in New Jersey.[5][6][7] The "Date Rape Drug" scenario from the premiere episode was filmed at the Mcloone's Pier House in Long Branch,[8] the "Shopping While Black" scenario was filmed in Manhattan,[9] and the "Latino Bashing" scenario was filmed in front of the Mmm Bellos Pub in Newark.[7] Additionally, the "Polygamy" scenario from the penultimate episode was filmed in front of a Hash House a go go restaurant in Colorado City, Arizona, and the "Authority Figure" scenario from the season finale was filmed inside a farmers' market in Columbus, New Jersey.

Episodes
See also: List of What Would You Do? episodes
No.
overall		TitleOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
5"Episode 1"January 6, 2009 (2009-01-06)7.02[10]
A stranger slips a date rape drug in their unsuspecting date's drink. In France, French people react to "obnoxious Americans" visiting the country. At a deli, a cashier blatantly discriminates against multiple Latino customers, including a disguised John Quiñones.
6"Episode 2"January 13, 2009 (2009-01-13)7.30[11]
Once again, a stranger slips a date rape drug in their unsuspecting date's drink. A man takes another person's running pump at a gas station while they're inside the store. A person with an overflowing shopping cart enters an express check-out line. At a grocery store, a young woman allows an elderly woman to skip her in line, only to argue with her when the elderly woman gets a cash prize for being the "five millionth customer."
7"Episode 3"January 27, 2009 (2009-01-27)6.35[12]
At an open house, two women begin to steal items from the house. A senile, confused man wants to drive. Two men crash a wedding. A cashier shortchanges a blind customer.
8"Episode 4"February 3, 2009 (2009-02-03)5.86[13]
A baby is left alone in a car. A mother yells at a nanny. A person is catfished. A dog is left alone in a car.
9"Episode 5"February 17, 2009 (2009-02-17)5.70[14]
A woman tells her friend she wants to marry a man half her age. Once again, an elderly, confused man wants to drive. At an open house, a real estate agent discriminates against an African American couple and later, a Muslim couple. At a park, a young girl is approached by a man who attempts to lure her away.
10"Episode 6"February 24, 2009 (2009-02-24)5.54[15]
A mother with a child attempts to shoplift. People are approached by beggers asking for not money, but gallons of gas. At a restaurant, an obnoxious person begins to talk loudly on the phone. Multiple teenagers trash a car.
11"Episode 7"March 10, 2009 (2009-03-10)5.25[16]
Multiple college students are hazed into drinking staggering amounts of alcohol. A mother criticizes a daughter buying a wedding dress. A woman collapses on a busy street. Will people react differently if a homeless man collapsed? An underage girl is denied a valid prescription for birth control pills.
12"Episode 8"March 17, 2009 (2009-03-17)7.26[17]
At a restaurant, a 65-year-old man with three wives celebrates his impending marriage to his fourth wife, a 15-year-old girl. A group of teenagers verbally and physically attack a Hispanic man. Nineteen aspiring actors agree to say outrageous claims about a product on camera for a few seconds of TV time and a paycheck.
13"Episode 9"March 24, 2009 (2009-03-24)7.96[18]
A store clerk begins to racially profile an African-American customer. A man becomes uncomfortable when a gay couple begins to kiss at a bar. Once again, a person is catfished. A "bounty hunter" tells shoppers at a flea market to help him detain a supposed fugitive mother, by either arresting her, drugging her, or stealing her baby.

Reception

Critical response
John Quiñones: She gave the homeless man a name, she said "I'll call you Billy," and she tried to comfort him. The actor playing the homeless guy was so touched he said, "I felt like she was an angel."

Jack Dovidio: And she was an angel. By giving him the name "Billy" she really created a personal connection - she had to bond with that person that nobody else was even willing to consider.

Interview between John Quiñones and Jack Dovidio on Linda Hamilton's actions.[19]

Linda Hamilton

During the "Waiting Room" scenario from episode 7, in which a homeless man collapses on a busy street, Linda Hamilton, who had previously been homeless herself, was one of the only people to help the collapsed man. Her actions grew her instant fame, with social psychologist Jack Dovidio praising her actions.[19][20]

Despite the episode receiving a mere 5.10 million viewers, the lowest rating in the series when it first aired, the crew at What Would You Do? decided to ask viewers on information on Linda, so they could visit her again.[21] On March 19, 2009, ABC News announced that Linda had been found inside a bodega the previous day. The report stated that John Quiñones talked to Linda about her growing notability, and gifted her with a new pre-paid cell phone. John, along with his crew, also enrolled her into the New Jersey Emergency Services program, allowing her to get the medication she had needed for some time.[22]

Latino Scenarios

Multiple Latino-related scenarios were praised by critics. During the filming of the "Latino Day Laborers" scenario from the premiere episode, in which a cashier blatantly discriminates against multiple Latino customers, a stranger agreed with the racist cashier, and when later asked why, punched the show's cameraman. During the "Latino Bashing" scenario from episode 8, in which an innocent man is attacked by a group of teenagers just because he was Latino, almost no one decided to help. After Emily MacDonald became the first person to help the assaulted man, Jack Dovidio pointed out that "it's extremely rare for people [to] intervene," and that people who didn't intervene allowed "their concerns for themselves, override the concerns for another human being."[7]

Ratings
Viewership and ratings per episode of What Would You Do?
No. Title Air dateRating/share
(18–49)		Viewers
(millions)
1 "Episode 1" January 6, 20092.7/77.02[10]
2 "Episode 2" January 13, 20092.9/87.30[11]
3 "Episode 3" January 27, 20092.3/66.35[12]
4 "Episode 4" February 3, 20092.3/65.86[13]
5 "Episode 5" February 17, 20092.0/65.70[14]
6 "Episode 6" February 24, 20091.7/55.54[15]
7 "Episode 7" March 10, 20091.9/55.25[16]
8 "Episode 8" March 17, 20092.2/67.26[17]
9 "Episode 9" March 24, 20092.6/87.96[18]

References
  1. "ABC News' "What Would You Do?" with John Quinones Returns for Three Weeks Beginning Friday, May 7th at 9:00pm/Et on ABC". The Futon Critic. April 26, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  2. Michael Schneider (May 13, 2008). "ABC announces fall schedule". Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  3. "ABC Unveils 2008-09 Primetime Schedule". The Futon Critic. May 13, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  4. Rosario T. Calabria (May 14, 2008). "ABC Development Slate for 2008/2009 Season [Continually Updated]". Your Entertainment Now. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  5. Austin Mills; Ann Sorkowitz (January 27, 2009). "Customers Speak Up When Clerk Shortchanges Blind Person". ABC News. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  6. Joel Parks (January 23, 2009). "When a Disoriented Senior Wants to Drive". ABC News. Archived from the original on January 29, 2009. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  7. Eric Hanan; Leila Vergara (March 13, 2009). "Would You Stop a Hate Crime in Progress?". ABC News. Archived from the original on May 14, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  8. Austin Mills; Eric Hanan (January 9, 2009). "A Man 'Drugs' His Date's Drink: What Do You Do?". ABC News. Archived from the original on November 23, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  9. Anna Norman (March 20, 2009). "'Shopping While Black': Would You Stop Racism?". ABC News. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  10. Rosario T. Calabria (January 14, 2009). "Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, January 13, 2009". Your Entertainment Now. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  11. Rosario T. Calabria (January 28, 2009). "Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, January 27, 2009". Your Entertainment Now. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  12. Rosario T. Calabria (February 4, 2009). "Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, February 3, 2009". Your Entertainment Now. Archived from the original on January 6, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  13. Rosario T. Calabria (February 18, 2009). "Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, February 17, 2009". Your Entertainment Now. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  14. Rosario T. Calabria (February 25, 2009). "Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, February 24, 2009". Your Entertainment Now. Archived from the original on May 23, 2009. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  15. Rosario T. Calabria (March 11, 2009). "Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, March 10, 2009". Your Entertainment Now. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  16. Rosario T. Calabria (March 18, 2009). "Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, March 17, 2009". Your Entertainment Now. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  17. Rosario T. Calabria (March 25, 2009). "Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, March 24, 2009". Your Entertainment Now. Archived from the original on April 4, 2009. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  18. Rosario T. Calabria (April 1, 2009). "Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, March 31, 2009". Your Entertainment Now. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  19. Linda Hamilton - What would you do?. Primetime: What Would You Do?. Retrieved August 13, 2020 – via YouTube.
  20. Barry Carter (March 30, 2009). "Newark woman receives national attention for helping homeless man on ABC show". NJ.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  21. Geoff Martz; Anna Norman (March 5, 2009). "Someone Falls Down on the Sidewalk: What Do You Do?". ABC News. Archived from the original on March 10, 2009. Retrieved August 13, 2020. ABC News is actively working to make contact with Hamilton again and are looking for a way for those who have offered assistance to reach out to her. Thank you again for watching the show and for offering to help. We will update you with details soon.
  22. Geoff Martz (March 19, 2009). "Homeless Woman Featured in 'What Would You Do?' Found". ABC News. Archived from the original on April 6, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
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