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Hill Street Blues

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Hill Street Blues was a serial police drama that first aired on NBC in 1981 and ran on primetime into 1987. It received high critical acclaim and while audience figures were never more than acceptable, its innovations proved highly influential on serious dramatic television series produced in North America

MTM Enterprises (home of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Lou Grant) developed the series on behalf of NBC, appointing Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll as series writers. The writers were allowed considerable creative freedom, and created a series which brought together for the first time a number of emerging ideas in TV drama.

  • Each episode featured a number of intertwined storylines, some of which were resolved within the episode, with others developing over a number of episodes.
  • Much play was made of the conflicts between the work and private lives of the individuals. In the workplace there was also a strong focus on the struggle between doing "what was right" and "what worked".
  • The camera was held close in, action cut rapidly between stories, and there was lots of use of overheard, or off-screen dialogue, giving a "documentary" feel to the action.
  • The show dealt with "real-life" issues, and used "real-life" language to a greater extent than had been seen before.

Though filmed in Los Angeles, the series was set in a generic location with a feel of a Northern urban centre, with many exterior shots being filmed in Chicago.

Its influence may still be seen in such series as NYPD Blue and ER.

Main Characters

  • Capt. Frank Furillo Daniel J. Travanti
  • Fay Furillo Barbara Bosson
  • Sgt. Phil Esterhaus Michael Conrad
  • Officer Bobby Hill Michael Warren
  • Officer Andy Renko Charles Haid
  • Joyce Davenport Veronica Hamel
  • Det. Mick Belker Bruce Weitz
  • Lt. Ray Calletano Rene Enriquez
  • Det. Johnny (J.D.) LaRue Kiel Martin
  • Det. Neal Washington Taurean Blaque
  • Lt. Howard Hunter James Sikking
  • Sgt./Lt. Henry Goldblume Joe Spano
  • Officer/Sgt. Lucille Bates Betty Thomas

The distinctive theme tune was written by Mike Post. It was a popular enough theme that it peaked in the top 10 on the Billboard charts for pop singles.

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