I love Hill Street Blues. The moment I saw Hill Street Blues, I knew that it was different from all the cop shows before and after because Hill Street Blues created the perfect mix of silly comedy, dark comedy, drama, Romance, cop stuff and gang stuff. Often cop shows are too silly Or too dramatic. Hill Street gets it right.
For people reading this in 2020 after the Protests and Riots and the negativity around cop shows, you should know that this show looks at cops critically. They are still the centre of attention but with flaws and personal lives that are impacted by their jobs. Nearly every episode deals with the fact that police duties are made worse by the decisions of politicians and police department people. This show makes you feel sorry for the cops you should feel sorry for and angry towards the ones who have done something wrong. Just like with all cop shows, there is this feeling that these people are heroes, but they show enough flawed cops and flawed politicians that you forget about the saint-like image.
The gang members are also portrayed critically too with consequences and personal lives. There are still stereotypes, but all shows have them. Hill Street also has amazing performances from its main cast and its guest cast. My favourite is Captain Furillo because he is kind and tough, which makes him a great captain. The younger men, including Belker, Andy, LaRue, Washington and Joe, add the humour to the show. I always found the Sergeants entertaining. Great female characters as well. Better than a lot of the female characters on TV now. Raw and human. The writing and directing are fantastic on this show. This show deserves more airtime these days like other classics. It gets forgotten compared to Seinfeld, Friends, Breaking Bad and MASH. Which are all great shows.
For people reading this in 2020 after the Protests and Riots and the negativity around cop shows, you should know that this show looks at cops critically. They are still the centre of attention but with flaws and personal lives that are impacted by their jobs. Nearly every episode deals with the fact that police duties are made worse by the decisions of politicians and police department people. This show makes you feel sorry for the cops you should feel sorry for and angry towards the ones who have done something wrong. Just like with all cop shows, there is this feeling that these people are heroes, but they show enough flawed cops and flawed politicians that you forget about the saint-like image.
The gang members are also portrayed critically too with consequences and personal lives. There are still stereotypes, but all shows have them. Hill Street also has amazing performances from its main cast and its guest cast. My favourite is Captain Furillo because he is kind and tough, which makes him a great captain. The younger men, including Belker, Andy, LaRue, Washington and Joe, add the humour to the show. I always found the Sergeants entertaining. Great female characters as well. Better than a lot of the female characters on TV now. Raw and human. The writing and directing are fantastic on this show. This show deserves more airtime these days like other classics. It gets forgotten compared to Seinfeld, Friends, Breaking Bad and MASH. Which are all great shows.