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Police Story (USA, 1973-1977) - Police Story is an anthology television crime drama that aired on NBC from
1973 through 1978. The show was the brainchild of author and former policeman Joseph Wambaugh and
represented a major step forward in the realistic depiction of police work and violence on network TV.
Read more...
1973 through 1978. The show was the brainchild of author and former policeman Joseph Wambaugh and
represented a major step forward in the realistic depiction of police work and violence on network TV.
Read more...
Police Woman (USA, 1974-1978) - Police Woman was an American television police drama starring Angie
Dickinson that ran from September 13, 1974 to March 29, 1978 on NBC. It is not only considered to be the first
successful series to focus on a female police officer, but also the first successful primetime drama series to
feature a woman in the title role. The show revolved around Sgt. Leanne "Pepper" Anderson (Angie Dickinson),
an undercover agent working for the Criminal Conspiracy Unit of the LAPD. Sergeant William "Bill" Crowley
(Earl Holliman) was her immediate superior, and Pete Royster (Charles Dierkop) and Joe Styles (Ed Bernard)
were the other half of the undercover team that investigated everything from murders to rape and drug crimes.
In many episodes, Pepper went undercover (as a prostitute, teacher, nurse, dancer, waitress, etc.) in order to get
close enough to the suspects to gain valuable information that will lead to their arrest. Read more...
Dickinson that ran from September 13, 1974 to March 29, 1978 on NBC. It is not only considered to be the first
successful series to focus on a female police officer, but also the first successful primetime drama series to
feature a woman in the title role. The show revolved around Sgt. Leanne "Pepper" Anderson (Angie Dickinson),
an undercover agent working for the Criminal Conspiracy Unit of the LAPD. Sergeant William "Bill" Crowley
(Earl Holliman) was her immediate superior, and Pete Royster (Charles Dierkop) and Joe Styles (Ed Bernard)
were the other half of the undercover team that investigated everything from murders to rape and drug crimes.
In many episodes, Pepper went undercover (as a prostitute, teacher, nurse, dancer, waitress, etc.) in order to get
close enough to the suspects to gain valuable information that will lead to their arrest. Read more...
Prime Suspect (UK, 1991-2006) - Prime Suspect is a British police procedural television drama series made
by Granada Television for the ITV network in the 1990s and 2000s. Helen Mirren portrays no-nonsense female
Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Jane Tennison (later promoted to Detective Superintendent), surviving and
thriving in a male-dominated profession. The character was said to be based on Jackie Malton, who acted as an
advisor to the authors. Read more...
by Granada Television for the ITV network in the 1990s and 2000s. Helen Mirren portrays no-nonsense female
Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Jane Tennison (later promoted to Detective Superintendent), surviving and
thriving in a male-dominated profession. The character was said to be based on Jackie Malton, who acted as an
advisor to the authors. Read more...
Psych (USA, 2006-present) - Psych is an American comedy-drama television series created by Steve Franks
and broadcast on USA Network. The show stars James Roday as Shawn Spencer, a young crime consultant for the
Santa Barbara, California Police Department (SBPD) whose "heightened observational skills" and impressive
detective instincts allow him to convince people that he is psychic. The program also stars Dulé Hill as Shawn's
best friend, straight man, and reluctant partner Burton "Gus" Guster, as well as Corbin Bernsen as Shawn's
captious father, Henry. Read more...
and broadcast on USA Network. The show stars James Roday as Shawn Spencer, a young crime consultant for the
Santa Barbara, California Police Department (SBPD) whose "heightened observational skills" and impressive
detective instincts allow him to convince people that he is psychic. The program also stars Dulé Hill as Shawn's
best friend, straight man, and reluctant partner Burton "Gus" Guster, as well as Corbin Bernsen as Shawn's
captious father, Henry. Read more...
Quincy, M.E. (USA, 1976-1983) - Quincy, M.E. (or simply Quincy) is the name of a United States television
series from Universal Studios that aired from October 3, 1976, to September 5, 1983, on NBC (and can be seen in
the UK on ITV3 and intermittently on the ITV Network, as well as in syndication on MeTV in Chicago, Illinois, on
KDOC-TV in Orange County, California, on the Retro Television Network, and in Australia on cable channel
TV1). It starred Jack Klugman as Dr. Quincy, a strong-willed Medical Examiner (forensic coroner) in Los Angeles
County working to ascertain facts about suspicious deaths. In the process, he frequently comes into conflict with
his boss and the police, each of whom have their own (often flawed) ideas about what's going on. Read more...
series from Universal Studios that aired from October 3, 1976, to September 5, 1983, on NBC (and can be seen in
the UK on ITV3 and intermittently on the ITV Network, as well as in syndication on MeTV in Chicago, Illinois, on
KDOC-TV in Orange County, California, on the Retro Television Network, and in Australia on cable channel
TV1). It starred Jack Klugman as Dr. Quincy, a strong-willed Medical Examiner (forensic coroner) in Los Angeles
County working to ascertain facts about suspicious deaths. In the process, he frequently comes into conflict with
his boss and the police, each of whom have their own (often flawed) ideas about what's going on. Read more...
Raines (USA, 2007) - Raines was a crime drama television series that ran from March 15, 2007 to April 27,
2007 on NBC in the United States. The show premiered as a mid-season replacement, as well as airing on CH in
Canada, TV3 in Ireland, ITV3 in the UK and on Network Ten in Australia. The series focused on Michael Raines
(Jeff Goldblum), a 'mentally-haunted' LAPD detective, who interacts with imaginary manifestations of dead crime
victims in order to solve criminal cases. Raines must deal with his unique, unintentional method, as it causes
problems with his co-workers and in his personal life. Read more...
2007 on NBC in the United States. The show premiered as a mid-season replacement, as well as airing on CH in
Canada, TV3 in Ireland, ITV3 in the UK and on Network Ten in Australia. The series focused on Michael Raines
(Jeff Goldblum), a 'mentally-haunted' LAPD detective, who interacts with imaginary manifestations of dead crime
victims in order to solve criminal cases. Raines must deal with his unique, unintentional method, as it causes
problems with his co-workers and in his personal life. Read more...
Remington Steele (USA, 1982-1987) - Remington Steele is an American television series, produced by
MTM Enterprises and first broadcast on the NBC network from 1982 to 1987. It starred Stephanie Zimbalist as
private detective Laura Holt and Pierce Brosnan as a roguish former white-collar thief and con man who assumed
the fictitious Remington Steele identity. The show took an offbeat approach to the standard TV detective genre,
with ironic plotting and elements of romantic comedy. Read more...
MTM Enterprises and first broadcast on the NBC network from 1982 to 1987. It starred Stephanie Zimbalist as
private detective Laura Holt and Pierce Brosnan as a roguish former white-collar thief and con man who assumed
the fictitious Remington Steele identity. The show took an offbeat approach to the standard TV detective genre,
with ironic plotting and elements of romantic comedy. Read more...
Reno 911! (comedy) (USA, 2003-present) - Reno 911! is an American comedy television series on Comedy
Central that debuted in 2003. It is a mockumentary-style parody of law enforcement documentary shows,
specifically COPS, with comic actors playing the police officers. Most of the material is improvised, using a broad
outline, and with minimal scripted material. Read more...
Central that debuted in 2003. It is a mockumentary-style parody of law enforcement documentary shows,
specifically COPS, with comic actors playing the police officers. Most of the material is improvised, using a broad
outline, and with minimal scripted material. Read more...
Richard Diamond, Private Detective (USA, 1957-1960) - Dick Powell starred in the Richard
Diamond, Private Detective radio series as a rather light-hearted detective who often ended the episodes singing
to his girlfriend, Helen. It began airing on NBC on April 24, 1949, picked up Rexall as a sponsor on April 5, 1950,
and continued until December 6, 1950. The shows were written by Blake Edwards. Read more...
Diamond, Private Detective radio series as a rather light-hearted detective who often ended the episodes singing
to his girlfriend, Helen. It began airing on NBC on April 24, 1949, picked up Rexall as a sponsor on April 5, 1950,
and continued until December 6, 1950. The shows were written by Blake Edwards. Read more...
The Rockford Files (USA, 1974-1980) - The Rockford Files is an American detective (private investigator)
television drama that had its first run on the NBC television network between September 13, 1974 and January
10, 1980 and has been in constant syndication to the present day. The show is notable for the quality of its writing
(mainly from Stephen J. Cannell, Juanita Bartlett, and David Chase), the easy charm and charisma of James
Garner, who starred as Jim Rockford, and an agile Pontiac Firebird. Read more...
television drama that had its first run on the NBC television network between September 13, 1974 and January
10, 1980 and has been in constant syndication to the present day. The show is notable for the quality of its writing
(mainly from Stephen J. Cannell, Juanita Bartlett, and David Chase), the easy charm and charisma of James
Garner, who starred as Jim Rockford, and an agile Pontiac Firebird. Read more...
The Rookies (USA, 1972-1976) - The Rookies is an ABC television series running from 1972 until 1976. It
followed the exploits of three rookie police officers in an unidentified city for the fictitious Southern California
Police Department (SCPD). Read more...
followed the exploits of three rookie police officers in an unidentified city for the fictitious Southern California
Police Department (SCPD). Read more...
The Saint (UK, 1962-1969) - The Saint was a long-running ITC mystery spy thriller, airing in Britain on ITV
between 1962 and 1969. It centered on the Leslie Charteris literary character, Simon Templar—a Robin Hood-
like adventurer with a penchant for disguise. Because of the strong American performance of the initial black-
and-white seasons in first-run syndication, NBC picked up the show as a summer replacement on its evening
schedule in 1966. Thus, the programme ended its run with both trans-Atlantic prime time scheduling and colour
episodes. It also proved popular beyond America and Britain, eventually premiering in over 60 countries. With
almost 120 episodes, the programme is exceeded only by The Avengers as the most productive show of its genre
produced in Britain. Read more...
between 1962 and 1969. It centered on the Leslie Charteris literary character, Simon Templar—a Robin Hood-
like adventurer with a penchant for disguise. Because of the strong American performance of the initial black-
and-white seasons in first-run syndication, NBC picked up the show as a summer replacement on its evening
schedule in 1966. Thus, the programme ended its run with both trans-Atlantic prime time scheduling and colour
episodes. It also proved popular beyond America and Britain, eventually premiering in over 60 countries. With
almost 120 episodes, the programme is exceeded only by The Avengers as the most productive show of its genre
produced in Britain. Read more...
Sergeant Preston of the Yukon (USA, 1955-1958) - Challenge of the Yukon was a long-running radio
series that began on Detroit's station WXYZ (as had The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet), and an example of
a Northern genre story. The series was first heard on February 3, 1938. Under the title Sergeant Preston of the
Yukon, it later transferred to television. The program was an adventure series about Sergeant William Preston
of the Northwest Mounted Police and his lead sled dog, Yukon King, as they fought evildoers in the Northern
wilderness during the Gold Rush of the 1890s. Preston, according to radio historian Jim Harmon, first joined the
Mounties to capture his father's killer, and when he was successful he was promoted to Sergeant. Preston worked
under the command of Inspector Conrad, and in the early years was often assisted by a French-Canadian guide
named Pierre. Read more...
series that began on Detroit's station WXYZ (as had The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet), and an example of
a Northern genre story. The series was first heard on February 3, 1938. Under the title Sergeant Preston of the
Yukon, it later transferred to television. The program was an adventure series about Sergeant William Preston
of the Northwest Mounted Police and his lead sled dog, Yukon King, as they fought evildoers in the Northern
wilderness during the Gold Rush of the 1890s. Preston, according to radio historian Jim Harmon, first joined the
Mounties to capture his father's killer, and when he was successful he was promoted to Sergeant. Preston worked
under the command of Inspector Conrad, and in the early years was often assisted by a French-Canadian guide
named Pierre. Read more...
The Shield (USA, 2002-present) - The Shield is an American police-drama television series shown on FX
Networks in the U.S. and other networks internationally. The show is known for its controversial portrayal of
corrupt police officers and was originally advertised as "Rampart" in reference to the true life Rampart Division
police scandal, which the show's Strike Team is loosely based upon. The first season gained the most Emmy
nominations for a basic cable drama. The series was created by Shawn Ryan and The Barn Productions for Fox
Television Studios and Sony Pictures Television (formerly Columbia TriStar Television). Notable film actors who
took extended roles on the show included Glenn Close in season 4 and Forest Whitaker in seasons 5 and 6. The
Shield finished its 6th season and was renewed for its 7th and final season, which began airing on September 2,
2008. Read more...
Networks in the U.S. and other networks internationally. The show is known for its controversial portrayal of
corrupt police officers and was originally advertised as "Rampart" in reference to the true life Rampart Division
police scandal, which the show's Strike Team is loosely based upon. The first season gained the most Emmy
nominations for a basic cable drama. The series was created by Shawn Ryan and The Barn Productions for Fox
Television Studios and Sony Pictures Television (formerly Columbia TriStar Television). Notable film actors who
took extended roles on the show included Glenn Close in season 4 and Forest Whitaker in seasons 5 and 6. The
Shield finished its 6th season and was renewed for its 7th and final season, which began airing on September 2,
2008. Read more...
Simon & Simon (USA, 1981 - 1989) - Simon & Simon is a 1980s detective television series starring Gerald
McRaney and Jameson Parker. Originally a 1978 pilot called Pirate's Key set in Florida, when the show was
picked up by CBS, the characters' home was changed from Florida to San Diego, California where the show's
storyline remained for the course of its eight year run 1981 to 1989 on CBS. The show was almost cancelled in
1982 before it was scheduled to run after Magnum, P.I. This brought its ratings up and allowed it to run for many
years. Simon & Simon actually had a crossover with Magnum, P.I., on the Magnum double episode "Ki's Don't
Lie" and in the Simon & Simon episode "Emeralds Are Not a Girl's Best Friend" (both in 1982). Read more...
McRaney and Jameson Parker. Originally a 1978 pilot called Pirate's Key set in Florida, when the show was
picked up by CBS, the characters' home was changed from Florida to San Diego, California where the show's
storyline remained for the course of its eight year run 1981 to 1989 on CBS. The show was almost cancelled in
1982 before it was scheduled to run after Magnum, P.I. This brought its ratings up and allowed it to run for many
years. Simon & Simon actually had a crossover with Magnum, P.I., on the Magnum double episode "Ki's Don't
Lie" and in the Simon & Simon episode "Emeralds Are Not a Girl's Best Friend" (both in 1982). Read more...
Special Unit 2 (comedy/horror) (USA, 2001-2002) - Special Unit 2 is a short-lived, American sci-fi/comedy
television series that aired on UPN for two seasons from April 2001 through February 2002. The show focused
upon the exploits of a top-secret Chicago police division known as Special Unit 2, charged with the task to police
the city's large population of mythological beings, known as "Links." Read more...
television series that aired on UPN for two seasons from April 2001 through February 2002. The show focused
upon the exploits of a top-secret Chicago police division known as Special Unit 2, charged with the task to police
the city's large population of mythological beings, known as "Links." Read more...
Spenser: For Hire (USA, 1985-1988) - Spenser: For Hire was a mystery television series based on Robert
B. Parker's "Spenser" novels. Spenser was surprisingly sophisticated for a private eye and former boxer. He was
well-read, often quoting poetry in everyday conversation. He was also an excellent cook, often cooking recipes as
he watched Julia Child on his kitchen counter television. Spenser lived in Boston and, like many detectives on
TV, drove a distinctive car, an ivy green '66 Ford Mustang(possibly a nod to Steve McQueen's Mustang in Bullitt).
Read more...
B. Parker's "Spenser" novels. Spenser was surprisingly sophisticated for a private eye and former boxer. He was
well-read, often quoting poetry in everyday conversation. He was also an excellent cook, often cooking recipes as
he watched Julia Child on his kitchen counter television. Spenser lived in Boston and, like many detectives on
TV, drove a distinctive car, an ivy green '66 Ford Mustang(possibly a nod to Steve McQueen's Mustang in Bullitt).
Read more...
Starsky and Hutch (USA, 1975-1979) - Starsky and Hutch (usually written as Starsky & Hutch) is a 1970s
US television series that consisted of a 90-minute pilot movie (originally aired as a Movie of the Week entry) and
92 episodes of 60 minutes each; created by William Blinn, produced by Spelling-Goldberg Productions, and
broadcast between April 30, 1975 and May 15, 1979 on the ABC network; distributed by Columbia Pictures
Television in North America and, originally, Metromedia Producers Corporation in some other parts of the world.
Read more...
US television series that consisted of a 90-minute pilot movie (originally aired as a Movie of the Week entry) and
92 episodes of 60 minutes each; created by William Blinn, produced by Spelling-Goldberg Productions, and
broadcast between April 30, 1975 and May 15, 1979 on the ABC network; distributed by Columbia Pictures
Television in North America and, originally, Metromedia Producers Corporation in some other parts of the world.
Read more...
Street Legal (Canada, 1987-1994) - Street Legal was a Canadian television series, which aired on CBC
Television from 1987 to 1994. A spinoff from the 1985 television movie Shellgame, Street Legal focused on the
professional and private lives of the partners in a small Toronto, Ontario law firm, Barr, Robinovitch and
Tchobanian. The primary stars were Sonja Smits as Carrington "Carrie" Barr, Eric Peterson as Leon
Robinovitch, and C. David Johnson as Charles "Chuck" Tchobanian. The cast also included Julie Khaner, Albert
Schultz, Cynthia Dale, Maria del Mar, and Ron Lea. Produced at the same time as L.A. Law, this series was
distinctively Canadian, in the use of Canadian court customs and procedures. Read more...
Television from 1987 to 1994. A spinoff from the 1985 television movie Shellgame, Street Legal focused on the
professional and private lives of the partners in a small Toronto, Ontario law firm, Barr, Robinovitch and
Tchobanian. The primary stars were Sonja Smits as Carrington "Carrie" Barr, Eric Peterson as Leon
Robinovitch, and C. David Johnson as Charles "Chuck" Tchobanian. The cast also included Julie Khaner, Albert
Schultz, Cynthia Dale, Maria del Mar, and Ron Lea. Produced at the same time as L.A. Law, this series was
distinctively Canadian, in the use of Canadian court customs and procedures. Read more...
Street Legal (New Zealand) - Street Legal is a New Zealand drama focused on the lives of a small group of
lawyers. A total of 52 episodes were aired and reruns currently can be seen around the world. The show was
produced by Screenworks. Read more...
lawyers. A total of 52 episodes were aired and reruns currently can be seen around the world. The show was
produced by Screenworks. Read more...
The Streets of San Francisco (USA, 1972-1977) - The Streets of San Francisco is a successful 1970s
television police drama filmed on location in San Francisco, California, USA, and produced by Quinn Martin
Productions, with the first season produced in association with Warner Bros. Television (QM produced the show
on its own for the remainder of its run). The show ran for five seasons, between September 16, 1972 and June 9,
1977 on ABC, amassing a total of 119 60-minute episodes. The series started with a pilot movie of the same title
(based on the detective novel Poor, Poor Ophelia by Carolyn Weston) earlier in 1972. Read more...
television police drama filmed on location in San Francisco, California, USA, and produced by Quinn Martin
Productions, with the first season produced in association with Warner Bros. Television (QM produced the show
on its own for the remainder of its run). The show ran for five seasons, between September 16, 1972 and June 9,
1977 on ABC, amassing a total of 119 60-minute episodes. The series started with a pilot movie of the same title
(based on the detective novel Poor, Poor Ophelia by Carolyn Weston) earlier in 1972. Read more...
Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye (USA/Canada, 2002-2005) - Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye is a Canadian-American
co-produced television police drama. It premiered in the US in 2002, and in Canada in 2003 and ended in May 2005
as it was slated for non-renewal by PAX TV. Most filming took place in Toronto, Ontario. Sue Thomas is a
charming young deaf woman who is able to communicate in both English and American Sign Language. She
applies for, and is accepted, for a position with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Washington, D.C..
She leaves her home in Ohio and drives to Washington, picking up her first hearing dog, Levi, en route.
Read more...
co-produced television police drama. It premiered in the US in 2002, and in Canada in 2003 and ended in May 2005
as it was slated for non-renewal by PAX TV. Most filming took place in Toronto, Ontario. Sue Thomas is a
charming young deaf woman who is able to communicate in both English and American Sign Language. She
applies for, and is accepted, for a position with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Washington, D.C..
She leaves her home in Ohio and drives to Washington, picking up her first hearing dog, Levi, en route.
Read more...
S.W.A.T. (USA, 1975-1976) - S.W.A.T. is a 1970s American television series about the adventures of the
WCPD's Olympic Division Special Weapons And Tactics (S.W.A.T.) team operating in an unidentified California
city. S.W.A.T. starred Steve Forrest as the unit's leader, Lt. 'Hondo' Harrelson, and Rod Perry as Hondo's
second-in-command "Deke." The show also featured an early starring role by Robert Urich as Jim Street, one of
the young team members. Read more...
WCPD's Olympic Division Special Weapons And Tactics (S.W.A.T.) team operating in an unidentified California
city. S.W.A.T. starred Steve Forrest as the unit's leader, Lt. 'Hondo' Harrelson, and Rod Perry as Hondo's
second-in-command "Deke." The show also featured an early starring role by Robert Urich as Jim Street, one of
the young team members. Read more...
The Sweeney (UK, 1975-1978) - The Sweeney was a British television police drama focusing on two
members of the Flying Squad, an elite branch of the Metropolitan Police Service specialising in combatting armed
robbery and violent crime within the Metropolitan Police area in London. The programme title derives from
Cockney rhyming slang, in which the expression Sweeney Todd rhymes with (and stands for) 'Flying Squad'.
Read more...
members of the Flying Squad, an elite branch of the Metropolitan Police Service specialising in combatting armed
robbery and violent crime within the Metropolitan Police area in London. The programme title derives from
Cockney rhyming slang, in which the expression Sweeney Todd rhymes with (and stands for) 'Flying Squad'.
Read more...
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