Crime & Cop Shows

TV critic David Bianculli previews the most controversial new TV show of the fall season, NYPD Blue. It's the latest series from Steven Bochco, creator of Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law.

T.V. critic David Bianculli reviews the new fall line-up.

Sharkey died on Friday from complications related to AIDS. We replay an excerpt from a 1988 interview with him.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews three new specials: "The Return of Ironside," on NBC; "The Beatles Songbook," on PBS; and HBO's documentary on the making of the sequel to the comedy film, "Hot Shots," which parodies the documentary about the making of Apocalypse Now.

English actress Helen Mirren. She stars in "Prime Suspect," a three-part thriller premiering this week on public television's "Mystery" series. Mirren has preformed with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the films "The Comfort of Strangers," "Age of Consent," "The Long Good Friday," and "Excalibur."

Television critic David Bianculli reviews three new CBS series premiering this week; "Scorch," "Fish Police," and "The Boys of Twilight."

Television critic David Bianculli reviews two shows you should see, and one you should make certain you NEVER watch.

Television critic David Bianculli takes another look at the ABC series "Twin Peaks."

Television critic David Bianculli reviews film director David Lynch's new television series, "Twin Peaks," starring Kyle McGlaughlin. Lynch is best-known for directing the film "Blue Velvet."

Television critic David Bianculli looks at four new TV shows. The only problem, David says, is that three of them are resurrected series.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews "The Neon Empire" a new mini-series on Showtime which stars Martin Landau, Gary Busey, and Ray Sharkey. It follows in the footsteps of NBC's belated "Crime Story."

Television critic David Bianculli reviews "The Hollywood Detective," a made-for-TV movie starring Telly Savalas and new episodes of "Kojak" as part of the ABC Mystery series.

T-V writer and producer Mark Frost. Frost is collaborating with director David Lynch on a new series, "Twin Peaks." Frost calls it "Payton Place meets Blue Velvet."

Screenwriter William Link. With his partner Richard Levinson, Link created more than a dozen T-V series, including "Columbo" and "Mannix." They also wrote the books "Stay Tuned: An Inside Look at the Making of Prime-Time Television," and "Off Camera: Conversations with the Makers of Prime-Time Television."

Television critic David Bianculli reviews the last of the new fall shows to premiere. Robert Loggia stars as an F.B.I. detective in a spin off of last year's NBC miniseries, "Favorite Son," called "Mancuso, F.B.I."

Television critic David Bianculli reviews the new season of the drama series "Wiseguy."

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.

Guest film critic Owen Gleiberman reviews the home video release of "Naked Gun," the police farce produced and directed by the makers of "Airplane." "Naked Gun," which premiered on movie screens early last spring, was based on the six-episode TV program "Police Squad," which recently aired on cable TV.

TV writer John Schulian says his career change was a logical one: he was a good writer and sick of sports journalism. He got his break on the show L.A. Law. He's now the executive story editor on Wiseguy.

TV critic David Bianculli shares his picks of the upcoming season. He says some new mini-series and returning programs rise to the top of his list.