By Steven Leventhal,
September 17, 2010 at 1:40 pm
In honor of the return of "Hawaii 5-0," I thought I would visit the subject of who are the greatest television police men (and women) of all time. We excluded private detectives, which can be their own future column.
There were a lot of great cops, going all the way back to the fifties. But since my TV viewing started in the late sixties, my choices will reflect a lot of 60's and 70's icons. Actually, I ended up with eleven, including two tandems.
So here, turn it up to "11" are your top cops. Feel free to comment with any oversights, errors, or disagreements.
Honorable mention goes to Horatio Caine of "CSI: Miami," Olivia Dunham of "Fringe," Jimmy McNulty of "The Wire," Martin Milner & Kent McCord of "Adam-12," and Barney Miller. Also Mick Belker of "Hill Street Blues."
The big waves, memorable music score, and the beautiful 50th state. No wonder McGarrett, a former Navy officer is making a comeback. Alex O'Laughlin is going to have a tough time walking in Jack Lord's shoe, because he has set the bar pretty high. Lord was a pretty cool customer, wearing a suit and tie when all his officers wore the more traditional Hawaiian garb. I can't wait to hear his catch phrase, "Book 'em, Danno, murder one!" Aloha, McGarrett, see you soon."Who loves ya, baby?" Lots of viewers did. bald, beautiful, witty, and dogged in pursuit of criminals in the Thriteenth Precinct, Manhattan South Patrol Borough. He even quit smoking and stated sucking on Tootsie Pops, creating another iconic image. Tough, streetwise, any bald cop these days is referred to as a "Kojak."part of the NBC Mystery of the Week, along with McCloud, McMillan & Wife, and Bancek, Pater Falk defined the charcter of the dissheveled, rambling, absent minded detective, who drove the crappy little car. In an unusual plot device, the program started by showing you who the murderer was, and how Columbo solves the crime by patching it together the tiniest clues, and minute evidence with an uncanny shrewdness.Chicago's own Dennis Franz talked the talk and walked the walk in New York's 15th precinct for the entire twelve year run of the series. First he overcame his drinking, then his biggotry, through his interactions with other members of the squad. For a fat, foul mouthed cop, he scored pretty well, with Assistant Distric Attorney Silvia Costas, whom he eventually married.Two of the topughest SOB's on the streets. Who can blame them. Their boss was always on them. And what a cast of supporting characters. Huggy Bear (Antonio fargas) was perhaps the best known snitch in television. The red Ford Gran Torino with the white stripe is one of the most iconic cars in TV history.
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The beautiful Mariska Hargitay plays the tough cop with a soft heart, and has a tendency to get emotionally attached to her cases. But if you are on her radar, good luck. Law & Order - Jerry Orbach abily portrayed the dysfunctional cop, who walked the mean streets of NYC for twelve years, and spawned countless spin offs, numerous partners, and dealt with a variety of bureaucratic and judicial issues with a joke or quip.They were the personification of 80's cool. They were the show that launched a thousand fashion statements. Armani suits, Ray-Ban sunglasses and Ferrari's. Fast cars, hot girls, and a city of Miami full of gangsters and drug dealers. Plus, a music video every show.our first female on the list, in the mid-seventies, other that Farrah Fawcett and Jacqueline Bissett, she was HOT. She worked undercover for the criminal conspiracy unit of the LAPD. Her show paved the way for a lot of female driven shows such as "The Bionic Woman" and "Cagney & Lacey"Michael Chiklis as the leader of a four-person anti-gang unit in Los Angeles. They were a group of corrupt cops using questionable methods to maintain peace in the streets. Ethics and getting the job done always seemed to be in conflict on this show
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When you heard the signature sound "dum, da, dum, dum," you knew you were in trouble. He was a square no nonsense, just the facts kind of cop. I almost wanted to leave him off the list as he stood in stark contrast to the 60's counterculture going on all around him, but he remains a 50's and 60's icon.
Malden - good choice as well. As far as "Hill Street Blues," it's tough to cite any one character on an ensemble drama that carried their show show as well as some of our selections. Lick Belker probably comes the closest. Betty Thomas has gone on to become a very sought after director.
The greatest TV cop has to be Chicago's own Lt. Frank Ballinger, played by Lee Marvin. My "Unknown-Chicago" post next Monday (Sep 20th)celebrates the 53rd anniversary of "M Squad." Check out the DVDs!
--JRS
Come on, no one from Hill Street Blues? Yeah, Mick Belker was my favorite, but what about the awesomely cool Neil Washington, or the iconic Capt. Frank Furillo?
What about Mick Belker from Hill Street Blues??? He was a "cops cop"
Belker was included in the original Honorable mentions that got erased when the photo gallery was fixed. It will be corrected.
As Mick would say "GGGGRRRRR"
I like Dennis Franz as a New York cop, especially when they were playing together with David Caruso.
Karl Malden
Malden - good choice as well. As far as "Hill Street Blues," it's tough to cite any one character on an ensemble drama that carried their show show as well as some of our selections. Lick Belker probably comes the closest. Betty Thomas has gone on to become a very sought after director.
andy and barney were #1. never lost their mission.
The greatest TV cop has to be Chicago's own Lt. Frank Ballinger, played by Lee Marvin. My "Unknown-Chicago" post next Monday (Sep 20th)celebrates the 53rd anniversary of "M Squad." Check out the DVDs!
--JRS
Come on, no one from Hill Street Blues? Yeah, Mick Belker was my favorite, but what about the awesomely cool Neil Washington, or the iconic Capt. Frank Furillo?
Belker is getting his props. As for Furillo, any guy who lets a girl, even if it's Veronica Hammel call him "Pizza Man" is disqualified.