T

8 Messages

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164 Points

Thursday, October 24th, 2024 3:05 PM

Solved

Trivia Addition Denied - Badly Formatted

Greetings again IMDB Community. I am attempting to add a piece of Trivia to an episode of the television series Homicide: Life On The Street, but the data has been rejected twice now. (The episode in question is Season 1 / Episode 3 Son Of A Gun.) The only explanation given was that the data was “badly formatted.” I have reviewed the guidelines and am completely baffled as to what I am doing wrong. Can I get some feedback please?

Here is what I wrote, verbatim:

“The story line involving the shooting of Officer Thormann is actually based on real events that took place while David Simon (the author of the book that the series is based on) was embedded with the Baltimore Police Homicide Unit. The officer in question was Gene Cassidy. Following the events depicted in the book and show, Cassidy continued to work for the BPD as an instructor at the training academy. Cassidy conducted classes in which he discussed the shooting, how it affected his life, and the importance of having a survival mindset. Cassidy made a point to always be open and honest about his experiences, and provided academy trainees with a rare insight into the dangers of working as a Cop on the streets of Baltimore. Cassidy also spent many years working to ensure that the man who shot him was never released from prison. Every time the assailant was up for parole, Cassidy would attend the hearing to remind the panel and his attacker of the damage he had inflicted. Despite permanently losing his sight, and almost losing his life, Cassidy maintained a positive attitude throughout his career. He retired from the BPD after many years of honorable service.”

That is the trivia that I am attempting to add, and here is the Comment I posted to justify the facts mentioned:


“I attended the Baltimore Police Academy from August 1999 until February 2000, and met and attended classes instructed by Agent Cassidy. His story is widely known among the rank and file officers of the BPD, and he is considered an inspiration for the way he handled what happened to him.”

Again, every word above is factual and true, and I can’t figure out what part of it is “badly formatted.” That seems to be a very vague statement. Can anyone explain what I am missing here?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Employee

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1.9K Messages

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18.8K Points

29 days ago

Hi @TCMcG,

Please could you provide us with the 18-digit submission reference for the contribution you're referring to? You can find this in your Contribution History.

Thanks!

8 Messages

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164 Points

Ozzy,

Thanks for the reply. The numbers for both are as follows:

First Attempt: #241022-061610-767000

Second Attempt: #241023-193325-864000

The only difference between the two is that on my second attempt, I added the word SPOILER at the beginning of the post. I thought that perhaps that was why the Trivia had been declined the first time, although I don’t really think there are any spoilers in what I wrote. Again, both were declined for being “Badly Formatted.”

Hope that helps!

(edited)

Employee

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1.9K Messages

 • 

18.8K Points

Hi @TCMcG,

Thank you for the submission references.

I can confirm that your trivia contribution was originally declined for exceeding a character limit, however as the item is not excessive in size, and the trivia itself is interesting and of value to the episode page, I have re-submitted the item on your behalf, and approved it.

I hope this helps!

8 Messages

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164 Points

Ozzy,

That’s great news! Thanks so much! I think Gene’s story is definitely of value, and it’s one most people outside the world of policing in Baltimore have never heard before.

One small suggestion: in the future, if a post is exceeding a character limit, perhaps that should be the reason given for its rejection rather than “badly formatted.” Had I known that was the issue, I could have shortened what I wrote, and thus avoided the issue entirely. Just a suggestion, no disrespect intended.

Thanks again!