Television cop shows

Bochco, who died Sunday, created numerous series, including Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue. TV Critic David Bianculli looks back on Bochco's impact, then we listen to his 1989 Fresh Air interview.

The new CBS show about two very mismatched investigative partners plays like a comedy. The characters are complicated and surprising, and the dialogue is crisp and quick. It's "a lot of fun to watch."

In 1981, NBC presented a new police series that went on to make TV history. Hill Street Blues has just been released on DVD in its entirety for the first time.

Car 54, Where Are You?, the TV comedy series about a mythical police station in the Bronx, was created by Nat Hiken in 1961. It's just appeared for the first time on DVD to the delight of fans, including critic Lloyd Schwartz.

Shawn Ryan's first series, The Shield, starred Michael Chiklis as a corrupt cop. His new series The Chicago Code is also about cops — but this time, they're honest. And TV critic David Bianculli says the heroes (played by Jennifer Beals and Jason Clarke) turn in very strong performances.

The veteran actor Robert Prosky was perhaps best known for his role as the big-hearted desk sergeant Stan Jablonski on Hill Street Blues. He died Monday at the age of 77.

Actor and comedian Anthony Anderson has played characters on both sides of the law. He's gone from a ruthless gangbanger on The Shield to a traumatized cop on K-Ville. Now he stars as a detective on Law & Order.

Dick Wolf created the longest-running drama on network TV, Law & Order. NBC is moving the procedural back to Wednesday's 'Crime Time' after it opened to a poor showing on Friday nights this year.

Best known for her portrayal of Detective Claudette Wyms on The Shield, the actress also boasts film credits ranging from Bagdad Cafe to Benny & Joon.

Shawn Ryan, creator and executive producer of the acclaimed FX drama, The Shield, discusses his involvement in the series.