Mod Squad (1968–1973)
"The Mod Squad" (original title)

Three young outsiders fight crime as undercover agents for the police.

Creator:

Buddy Ruskin

Stars:

Michael Cole, Clarence Williams III, Peggy Lipton

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 5 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Michael Cole	...	Pete Cochran (123 episodes, 1968-1973)
Clarence Williams III	...	Linc Hayes (123 episodes, 1968-1973)
Peggy Lipton	...	Julie Barnes (123 episodes, 1968-1973)
Tige Andrews	...	Capt. Adam Greer (123 episodes, 1968-1973)

Storyline

Young people in trouble with the law (wealthy Pete stole a car; Linc arrested during Watts riots; Julie ran away from her San Francisco prostitute mother) can avoid jail by infiltrating the counter culture and exposing badguys who prey on other kids.

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Plot Keywords:

police | undercover | police officer | policeman | policewoman | 

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Taglines:

One White, One Black, One Blonde

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 September 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mod Squad

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thomas/Spelling Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (123 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Woody was wrecked in Ep. 35 "The Death of Wild Bill Hannacheck" at the end the Squad stands and watches their "old buddy" burn. Linc has a classic line "good bye olde paint". During the Reunion movie in 1979, Pete is rich so he buys a Woody when the three of them unite for the task of finding the bad guy.

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Connections

Referenced in The Nanny: Franny and the Professor (1995)

User Reviews

Most unique cop show of the late 60s.

The Mod Squad centered around three youthful cops, that were recruited to the LA police force in the late 60s. This show was truly cutting-edge as a concept back then. Three cool, under thirty hipsters as cops?? Yep! And it worked, because this was one of the most popular crime dramas of all-time.

The Mod Squad included Pete Cochran, a rich kid looking for kicks, who runs afoul of the law. Then there's Linc Hayes, a black ghetto youth who's struggling to survive, and gets himself busted. Lastly, there's Julie, a gorgeous young woman who suffers from a sad home life, and flees it. She too gets wrapped-up in law-breaking. Instead of throwing these three offenders in the clink, Capt. Greer has the idea of making them undercover cops, as long as they all agree to obey the law from then on.

Linc, Pete, and Julie were the coolest cops on TV in the late 60s. They all dressed in the latest 60s youth fashions, used hip lingo, and had the street-smarts necessary to do their jobs, as cops in the urban jungle of LA. The three were almost like a family, with Capt. Greer looking out for them like a kindly father would.

By working together in harmony, the Mod Squad showed that the societal chasms of race, class, gender, and even generational strife, could be overcome. It may have been an idealistic vision, but then the 60s were an idealistic period. It was so positive to see the three very different Mod Squad members, have a cooperative working relationship, despite their differences. They set an example, that folks could strive to follow in real life.

I highly recommend the Mod Squad, and not only for those who are nostalgic for the 60s. It's simply a quality show, enjoyable for all ages. Like Linc Hayes would say, it's 'solid man'.