Skip to main content

Television Producer and Writer Steven Bochco.

Television producer Steven Bochco. He is, arguably, one of the most influential creative people in television. With shows like "Hill Street Blues" and "L.A.Law," Bochco can claim credit for a whole TV genre: intensely realistic dramas that use an ensemble cast and multiple, interweaving plots that quickly cut back and forth. Those programs helped make NBC the top network and the perceived leader for innovative programming. As the other networks strive to produce programs of similar quality, TV critics have talked about the "Bochco-ization of network TV, as more and more programs use the Bochco trademarks of large casts, gallows humor and allusions to unconventional sex. Bochco began writing for Universal Studios while still in college. His first credit was shared with Rod Serling. He later wrote segments of "Columbo" and "McMillan and Wife." Last year, Bochco signed an exclusive agreement with ABC to produce 10 new series. So far, he's introduced "Hooperman," which the critics generally like. His next project, "Doogie Howser, M.D." will debut later this fall.

22:08

Other segments from the episode on September 5, 1989

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, September 5, 1989: Interview with Steven Bochco; Review of the New Winds' album "The Cliff"; Interview with Randy Thom; Review of Linda Wolfe's book "Wasted."

Transcript

Transcript currently not available.

Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

You May Also like

Did you know you can create a shareable playlist?

Advertisement

Recently on Fresh Air Available to Play on NPR

32:56

Remembering Irish singer–songwriter Glen Hansard

Best-known for his band The Frames and his part in the 2007 film Once, Hansard got his start as a street busker in Dublin. He died July 29 in a motorcycle crash. Originally broadcast in 2008.

08:42

Celebrating Tony Bennett on what would have been his 100th birthday

Bennett, who died in 2023, was known for a string of hits, including "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Kevin Whitehead offers an appreciation and remembers some of Bennett's lesser-known songs.

08:52

'I Want Your Sex' urges Gen Z to get a little more X-rated

In the new comedy "I Want Your Sex," Olivia Wilde plays an LA-based artist who initiates a dominant-submissive relationship with her younger employee, played by Cooper Hoffman. It's the first new feature in 12 years from the queer cinema pioneer Gregg Araki, and it's opening in theaters today after premiering to much acclaim in January at the Sundance Film Festival. Our film critic, Justin Chang, has this review.

There are more than 22,000 Fresh Air segments.

Let us help you find exactly what you want to hear.
Just play me something
Your Queue

Would you like to make a playlist based on your queue?

Generate & Share View/Edit Your Queue